Packing for late September in Rome - shorts?

Your knees have to be covered in Italian churches, so shorts won't cut it if you want to go in.

Our friend who was traveling with us was stopped from entering churches in Italy as he had shorts on. This was in Tuscany, not Rome.

That’s a good long stay! He might use his shorts a few times and they probably aren’t too bulky, but it won’t really be hot at that time of year, in general. We increasingly use hiking pants instead of jeans in many places. They are so lightweight! We are on an 8 week trip now and hubby packed three hiking pants and no jeans. His black ones pass for “going out” occasions and all are light enough to not be a problem in heat. Eddie’s Bauer, LLBean, and Columbia all have nice ones. They wash and dry in a flash and can be worn a few times between washing (unless he spills on them!).

I found a light pair of cotton/linen blend jeans that I like in almost any weather but the hiking pants suit me for many activities as well. They are fairly tailored.

With a check of the 10 day forecast a couple of days before you leave you can fine tune your packing to see if it’s warm enough in Rome for even one pair of shorts. Some capris, linen/cotton and long light weigh long pants might be better for carry on packing and comfort.

I think the travel pants idea - quick wash and easy dry - seems the best solution. For women, any suggestions of your best choices - more city look to ankle than hiking look? (I'm a curvy short 14/16 )

My husband wears the LL Bean hiking pants and they are VERY light. How do you feel about those that also zip off to shorts length? You might be able to easily carry the lower, zipped off parts with you if you had to zip them back.

I have good luck with the Columbia and Eddie Bauer travel pants and I am curvy, size 10/12 and 5’3”. There ate a variety of styles for each - some sold on Amazon- so I would try a few. They look nice enough to pass for regular pants with the right shoes and top. We’re going back next September- have a wonderful trip!

Eddie Bauer Guide Pro pants. They also come in petite which I still have to shorten an inch).

Thanks Laurel and Peggy: I ordered 2 dif. Eddie Bauer pants - one is the guide pro pants and the other are some lightweight adventure style pull on pants - hopefully one works and the other gets returned! Very excited to soon be off on new adventures after so much time sitting too still.