I keep reading that bare shoulders and knees are not allowed in churches. But what I can't figure out is when talking about the knees are we talking skin or tights. In other words if my dress hits above the knee but I'm wearing tights am I ok? I'm tall - hardly any dresses or skirts come below my knees. Thanks!
Posted by
US Pacific Northwest
10344 posts
Was this the question you didn't want to ask until you searched the site to see if it had been previously discussed? IMO it's a good question. The dress code for Italian churches has been discussed many times here, but not with the dress-above-knee + tights permutation you're throwing in. I think the enforcers are the door are talking skin, not tights. But now that I think about it, I'm not sure. In the end, the dress code enforcers at a few of the biggest duomos/churches, like St. Peters (Rome), get to make the call and I don't think the rules are in writing anywhere. It also makes a difference whether you're trying to get into St Peters, where there are enforcers at the door 100% of the time and it's a big deal, or a smaller church where they don't have enforcers at the door. Let's see if anyone here has personal experience with dress-above-the-knee + tights.
Posted by
Boulder, CO, USA
719 posts
Kent is right, St. Peter's is the strictest. On our trip to Italy this spring, my wife entered quite a few churches with a dress 'just' at the knee. My own gut feeling is that you'd be OK with tights. The codes seemed to be more enforced about the shoulders vs. the knees (S.P. excluded).
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
7737 posts
My understanding is that it's exposed skin, but keep in mind they maintain the discretion to keep you out if they think your outfit is indecent regardless of whether it complies with the letter of the law. That said, I imagine you'll be fine.
Posted by
OP
Spokane, WA, USA
23 posts
Thanks everyone! The outfits I have in mind would be very modest and grandmother approvable so hopefully I'd be ok.
Posted by
Mpls, MN
1005 posts
I have gotten into St. Peter's with a skirt that hit above the knee with no problem. Have been there several times before and seen the clothes patrol allow women wearing very, very short skirts in to St. Peter's. Haven't been to Rome since 2006 so maybe things have changed. Am going to Rome in Mid-October so think I will make sure my skirt is at least at the knee.
Posted by
Austin TX after living in Boulder CO for 25 years
1175 posts
My 20-something daughters wear their dresses with tights and have gotten into every church we have attempted, including St. Peter's. We also always travel with pashminas and when we know the day includes any religious venue, we throw the pashmina into our backpack to cover shoulders.
Posted by
Hollywood, Fl, USA
293 posts
I was asked to wear a black shawl that they provided in Amafli. today...yes today.....Girls with short shorts and skirts were noy let in and the were Italian.it is hot here make your your accomadation has air as the night are very long.i am leaving a day early because of it. Sorrento is packed and so was Amalfi.The waiters were wearing flip flops
pat