Fashion Advice from moms of teenage daughters - Italy in July

I know shorts have gotten pretty short (god I'm old, because sometimes I wonder why girls are not wearing pants anymore). Lightweight skirts and dresses that cover the knee are the answer, and a light cardigan should not be too difficult to find for shoulders. It can be cold inside sometimes anyway, and a light cardigan is easy to toss in a bag or tie around the waist when back outside. (Think like JCrew tissue weight)

Our teens wore a lot of dresses, cover up with a scarf if needed.

If it helps at all, the traditional Mediterranean approach to hot weather is to use lightweight, loose clothing to provide shade for your body. Americans often think of tank tops and shorts, which do the opposite. A long, loose sundress with a cotton shawl or kimono-type shirt to cover shoulders would work well.

As for how picky they are for entry to churches, I once saw a young man admitted to St. Peter's in Rome wearing shorts: he had borrowed scarves from two different girls (two different colors) and tied a scarf over each leg at the hem of his shorts and again at mid-calf. In his case, anyway, the guards were not all that picky, LOL.

When it comes to feet, I've never known sandals to be frowned upon anywhere in Italy. However, you might get blisters in hot weather, so come prepared with band-aids and perhaps some moleskin. And flip-flops on cobblestones could be a bit of a hazard, so I would stick with a sturdier sandal that provides some foot support.

Tee-shirts and capris are fine Don't overthink this. Loose slacks - maybe linen blend? - are cool and meet the modesty requirements.

We are currently Day 6 in Italy. We have been admitted to all the major cathedrals so far in Venice and Florence with shorts that fall about 1 inch above knee. Signs posted outside show images of what is not acceptable; bare shoulders and shorts mid calf or shorter. There are tons of scarf salesman working up and down the line or some ticket booths have offered flimsy shawls for 1€. Have seen tons of young girls in short shorts(cheeks hanging out-why is this a look???)

I am the mom of a teenager in Europe. Teenagers wear very short shorts and logo T-shirts. Just have them carry a scarf in their bags and tie it around their waist. It will look weird if a teenager is so covered up in the summer. If you’re like us, one church is enough anyway. We prefer eating gelato and people watching in the squares.

Capris are good. Knees and shoulders need to be covered in Churches.

It seems that peasant and flouncy things have been making a comeback. So, maybe a cotton skirt or sundress that falls below the knees.

There are peasant tops that can be off the shoulder walking around Italy but then pulled up over the shoulder for Churches.

TJMaxx has a ton of clothes like that. Check out Dress Barn if they are near you. I don't know if Rue and Forever 21 are still around. I'm not a "mall" person. I basically like to go into the store's entrance via the outside.

Also, sheer "big" scarves can be put over the shoulder or used as a temp skirt. You must leave these on in the Vatican and St. Peter's, etc. If guards or Museum/Church staff catch you without proper covering, you may be asked to leave or escorted out.

Another thought, they sell "beach" cover ups that look more like (sheer) cute tops/tunic dresses - cover shoulders but come down to the mid arm area. If it's white or see through, just wear a tank under it.

I have two daughters the same age-ish (11 and 16), and we have never planned for the knee and shoulder thing in terms of wardrobe (A. they dont like skirts or dresses period, and B. they won't wear shorts to the knee, and C. I wasn't going to spend money for these just for the trip). But we did bring scarves, and when I say scarf, think about those big flowing ones that look like they could double as a wrap skirt (and often do in catalogues, worn over swimsuits). They are kind of sheer, lightweight, can be stuffed in a day-purse/bag when not in use, weigh next to nothing. There are MANY people out front of churches selling these, I imagine for this reason. I bought my first one in Paris for Notre Dame, and now I shove that thing in a bag every time we go to Europe. Someone uses it, even if its my son, who wears shorts above the knee (altho apparently not anymore, bc now he's a 14yo bmx bro who will only wear shorts that cover his knees :roll: ). Get a few of these for days when something is exposed, and wear whatever they prefer wardrobe-wise.

No rompers. There are still squat toilets in Europe in some places. Not a good combo.

They should wear miniskirts or shorts and tan tops like all Italian girls between the age of 9 and 39 (or even older) do in the scorching Italian summer. Be comfortable.
To enter inside a church all you need is a light scarf to cover your shoulders and/or pareo wrapped around your waist to cover your legs, like this one.
You can keep either in your purse ready for the occasion when you need to enter the church. My wife has done that for years since we were both in our 20s (now she doesn’t wear miniskirts much anymore).

Clothes were never the fight I wanted with my teenagers. The ONLY time they need to have shoulders/knees covered are for entering a church, and you received great advice with the scarf. Your girls should be comfortable, wear sunscreen, have some hair ties handy and be more aware of their surroundings and to listen to you when traveling. Have them watch some you-tube videos on Pick pockets and scams so they are aware (but not paranoid). Last time we were in Italy in June lots of teen girls in shorts (Short shorts), tanks, graphic tees, sneakers, sandals. It gets HOT and humid there in the summer. You can also go on webcams of Rome and see what people are wearing to get a feel. I pack from my closet and always am happy with my look.

@ jklmom, My now 21-year-old daughter and I have been traveling to Europe, including your destinations, together for years. You will not be trekking in Venice/Florence/Rome. You will be walking around in sophisticated, urban areas that are flooded with tourists. For years, we have worn basically the same thing for our summer trips. We bring one pair of long pants/jeans and a comfortable top that we wear to Europe and on the days when we change locations and a bunch of simple short-sleeved, almost knee length navy/black/royal blue (basically darker colors that can all go into the laundry together) dresses. The dresses are jersey, cotton or even cotton/linen blends. We buy ours from Gap, Old Navy and occasionally Banana Republic. We can wear them everywhere and have never felt under or overdressed or had an issue at a church. I am lucky to have a daughter who does not wear booty shorts/Daisy Dukes so I have never had to worry about her appearing in short shorts and have been able to avoid arguments about clothes. She does wear shorts and may bring a pair or two on a trip but I would call them city shorts and we have never had a problem with those. Without wading into the capri argument, my 21-year-old daughter wears lots of knee-length pants in the summer. I don't know if they are called capris. They are baggy denim or have multiple pockets and are sort of like cargo pants and she has brought those to Europe and looked lovely in them and had no problems anywhere including churches.

Most major churches that I have been to in Italy have little outfits that look like disposable scrubs that they give to people who are not following the dress code. I have seen them handed out to many young women some of whom were wearing outfits that my daughter wouldn't wear to the beach much less to Saint Peter's Basilica. You could buy a scarf from the salesmen on the streets but I know that, at least, at Saint Peter's they do have the disposable scrubs.

Hi there, jklmom =
The issue here is that you can't anticipate how "picky" the attendant for one church may be versus another so best to be prepared for the most extreme case. It would stink if you stood in line and only to be turned away, right?

Teens in my part of the U.S (Minnesota) wear everything from shorts to skirts to (yes!) capris when it's hot. Knee length or longer? Sure. The cool thing about some models of capris is that they can be rolled above the knee - essentially creating longish shorts - when not visiting churches so there's a versatility factor that can be taken advantage of. Honestly, I'd do that before going the open "kimono" route, which may or may not work if knees are exposed.

As far as shoulders go, it's not a challenge at all! Any shirt with short sleeves (not sleeveless), not an immodest amount of décolletage or midriff exposed and no "violent" graphics will work. It's not difficult!

Also keep in mind the Vatican has a similar dress code.

Honestly, I was going to suggest Capris! Surely some of those size zero women I see in Capris are still in their teens - they dam sure don't look like grandmothers.

I’m going to have to keep my eyes open. I haven’t noticed anyone under the age of 50 in actual capris. It isn’t a length of pant I see teens or their parents ever wearing and I worked in a school in Southern California for 30 years. Now tights/jeggings in different lengths are another story.

Wear what you all would normally wear at home but plan for a simple coverup if needed.

Thanks everyone! Interesting conversation. I just want to error on the side of being prepared. We live in MO and are use to very hot summers and my girls do dress moderately conservatively (no bootie skirts/shorts!) anyway but it seems like most clothing lately is long and sleeveless or short and sleeved. Anyway it sounds like investing in a couple of scarves is a good idea to be prepared!

In churches in Florence I saw several Italian teenage girls who were wearing jeans with huge holes in the knees completely exposing their knees, and those shirts with sleeves but with the shoulders cut out, so, again, bare shoulders. I was dying to know if they would have been allowed in the Vatican dressed like that --- with complete modesty otherwise, but showing so much skin at the knees and shoulders.

Are these https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capri_pants#/media/File:Image-Nadal_photographi%C3%A9-cropped.jpg capris? Or these https://www.ems.com/product-variation?pid=2024353&dwvar_2024353_size=S&dwvar_2024353_color=003? I ask because I am genuinely curious. Or these: https://www.asos.com/asos-design/asos-capri-trousers/prd/7112579 These and knee length or slight;y longer leggings are the sort of pants that my daughter, her friends and her cousins wear and I always categorize them as capris but I wonder now given some of the comments here if they are properly called something else.

Wow! And I thought it was tough on my first trip to Europe (50 years ago) having to make sure I had something to cover my head inside churches!

JHK, I would call them capris, though you might also hear "ankle-length" pants too. I wear capri pants in all kinds of fabrics to work all the time in the summer because it's usually too cold in my office to wear skirts or shorts (very casual office). I also wore them in Italy this April and didn't notice anyone giving me weird looks (I'm 38 and didn't think I was frumpy, though now I'm rethinking that!). I think it's a fine option for jklmom and her daughters, but I think it will probably be too hot most days so the scarf/sarong might be the best option.

Also, hello, it's the country that gave them their name, the OP should fit in just fine if she wears them ON Capri!

Now tights/jeggings in different lengths are another story.

O yes, leggings below the knee would work too but might be warm. I might wear them with a flow-y top in a cool, lightweight fabric. Cropped pants are popular these days too, and lengths can vary and so they can be just another version of capris. IMHO.

https://www.kohls.com/catalog/juniors-crops-capris-bottoms-clothing.jsp?CN=Gender:Juniors+Product:Crops%20%26%20Capris+Category:Bottoms+Department:Clothing&CC=juniors-LN1.0-S-capris&kls_sbp=15252201755701578983539531658113773898\
(not all of these are great but you get the idea)

These look like they'd be really cool and comfy to travel in:
https://www.gap.com/browse/product.do?pid=442149022&cid=1036984&pcid=1011761&grid=pds_14_40_1

We are heading to Italy this July with a 14 yo daughter as well.

At Marshalls I found elastic waist baggy flow pants that she can pull on over her regular "short" shorts if needed.

I bought an elastic waist long skirt for myself at Costco for myself, won't look great but I could pull on over my shorts if I have to.

We will both wear shorts most of the time, mine just above the knee, that's my norm, hers much shorter, lol.

We struggled quite a bit trying to figure out the exact same thing, crossing my fingers the above will work if needed.

Have a great trip!

We wore skirts that we could shimmy down a bit to make longer, tied a scarf around our handbag, put it around shoulders once we got to a church. Problem solved!

Like a lot of the other posters, I have two girls 15 and 18. I'm having them take scarves they can tie around their waist. We will be more modestly dressed for our tours but when my husband and I were in Rome, we found that there were churches we passed that just wanted to pop into. In this case, it's nice to have a scarf in your purse that you can wrap around your waist, that way they can dress like teenagers but still have the freedom to go where ever the day takes us.

We are going shortly with 2 teen girls too. They are happy in dresses bc they are cool and comfortable in the heat. So we are each going to bring a pair of Capri sports leggings to pull on under the dress for coverage. Then a scarf or something for shoulders if needed.

Sundresses would be nice or long dresses made with breathable material. If you want to wear shorts or sleeveless tops just bring with you a scarf that you can just tie around the waist or cover up your shoulders when entering the churches.

Current fashion report from the same cities/my 16 yo daughter is there right now:

The churches are just concerned with not seeing too much skin--so just cover the shoulders and thighs and you should be fine. This can be done temporarily as others have suggested with scarves that you carry for this purpose.

In general, the popular American short shorts with a long t-shirt over it is a look that is not "cool" in Italy. Casual summer dresses, palazzo pants, peasant style tops with slim pants, etc, are what teens are wearing. A jean jacket for cool parts of the day.

Have fun!

To JHK and others that have traveled with older teens. What do they wear to go to a nice dance club at night?

For those you might be interested - just a thought.

Walmart sells cute cami/tank tops for $1.68 each. They are sold under the brand name "Time & Tru." They are cotton.

They have every basic color, pastel and jewel tones to match any outfit. They've been popular with teens and women. (They also have other style tank tops - a wider shoulder, longer length, etc.)

This is a picture of what they look like - much cheaper, as stated above, in stores -
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Women-s-Cami-Tank-Top-2-Pack-Bundle/276127968

I wore black, grey and white under sweaters I took (to Rome in December) which had a casual or loose (see through) stitch - so the cami tanks worked well and kept me warm but not hot.

They have spaghetti straps, good coverage, pretty much true to size (don't put them in dryer above "low heat." But you can drip dry overnight.) They can be worn for a PJ top or for a more modest look - under a sheer blouse or top.

I think this is a great opportunity to talk about respecting the values of people who are different from us. This isn't about limiting someone's rights or forcing a teenager to comply with old fashioned standards. It's about thoughtfulness, politeness, courtesy, civility.

(But then, I am a teacher so I like to find those teachable moments.)

Monty
I understand the need for a teacher not to pass up on a teachable moment, but Italy is not Saudi Arabia or Iran.

If Italian female (conservative right wing) politicians can dress like this so can American tourists.

As for churches, there are pareos and scarves that can fulfill the need to cover up.

LOL, Roberto.
Been a few years now but I'm still trying to figure out how Jennifer Aniston got inside the Vatican in this:

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2159988/Jennifer-Aniston-flaunts-Vatican-City-dress-code-revealing-legs.html

Note a couple of people behind her in shot #3 who are also breaking rules. Oh well. As my mama said, just because JENNIE jumped off the bridge doesn't mean YOU should.

This thread is amusing. We've warned our daughter in college who lives in lululemon shorts, baggy t-shirts, and Nikes, about the dress code in Italian churches and she scoffs. I guess she's going to have to learn the hard way. I suggested capris and she looked at me like I had 7 heads.

Sometimes they have to learn on their own.