shorts for men in Italy

My husband wore shorts on all our trips, except for major churches. Pompeii, Pantheon, trains, etc. all fine. We were just there in May, already very hot. I don't think they were even strict in St. Peter's because I saw many girls/women in sleeveless mini dresses and men in long shorts to their knees.

I wore pants with the zip off legs. Off when hot , on when going into Churches

Other than the Borghese Gallery went to all the places you mention and had no issue being in shorts.

Just got back from Amalfi Coast Pompeii Naples area. And have been to Piisa Cinque Terre area in July 2016. I wore shorts the whole time and did not get any glares or turned away and saw many tourists with shorts on. The only time I've seen people turned away is trying to enter church in a tank top.

Just to remember that Pantheon is a church.

Our trips to Italy have always been in September and my husband wore shorts. Long pants when appropriate.

Trains? Museums? Wear what you want, out of churches nobody cares how tourists dress and anyway you'll be invisible to most italians not working in tourism.

Most Italian men wear knee-long shorts in summer during the day, saying the opposite is ridiculous. I know nobody who thinks that shorts are strange or "wrong".

Some grumpy guy older than 70 may wear only long pants when dining out in proper sit-down restaurants, and may stare those not dressing the same way, but... it's their problem and there is no italian translation for dress code.
Restaurants can't refuse service because of the way customers dress, they can only put you far from the window :D

My father is 84 and wears only shorts from June 21 to September 21.

If it's clean, it's ok: sooner or later even old grumpy italians will be tourists trying to pack light.

Thanks for your help, everyone!

Dario, thank you...it's good to get the information straight from an Italian!!! Thanks!

I’m Italian, from Italy originally, going to Italy every July, and I don’t even pack long pants and often enter churches with Bermuda shorts (the Dress Police is only at major cathedrals).

The only long pants I take are the ones on me since it’s often cold on the plane (because flight attendants on long flights turn the AC at full blast to stay cool while they work near the food convection ovens).

Wear what you want and just bring something for the cathedrals where they have the Mutande Police.

We just returned from BOE 14 days and my husband wore knee length shorts every day in Venice, Florence, and Rome, including to the Pantheon, St. Peter's Basilica, museums, and other churches. No issues anywhere. Some of the men on our tour had the zip off shorts/pants which would be a safe bet if in doubt.

Rachel, so good to know the current situation and what happened on your tour! Thanks. And Roberto, thanks for responding...good to get the facts from a local!!!

My 2 cents: Although a person can get away with wearing shorts/short skirts in churches, it’s still a matter of respect to dress appropriately.

Roberto, do I remember you saying somewhere that although Italian men do wear shorts, they only wear sandals with them? Never sneakers with socks?

I'm not Roberto, but I live in Italy half the year. When wearing shorts, sneakers are ok. Just wear those footie socks, not ankle or higher type socks with them. And yes, shorts are fine; everyone in the summer wears them. The country's much looser than it used to be when it comes to rules about eating and dressing. You can even get sushi in the supermarket--imagine!

Thoughts on women wearing shorts in Italy?

Michael.

You can wear sandals, sneakers, summer shoes of any type with shorts, what Italians consider tacky and totally unfashionable is wearing socks with shorts (unless you are playing soccer or tennis etc)

See the photo below for acceptable men casual shorts attire according to Italian Fashion police:

https://goo.gl/images/KBD9Se

Shorts for women are also acceptable. Unlike men, Italian women tend to wear them rather short.

https://goo.gl/images/fRK5h4

Perfect, Roberto. Grazie un sacco.

what Italians consider tacky and totally unfashionable is wearing socks with shorts (

Roberto, I dare say that sometimes we have a good point:
https://capubianco.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/sandalo_calzini.jpg?w=759&h=1067

We were just in Rome. Women wearing shorts were turned away (or required to wrap a scarf around the waist) at the Pantheon, but men were allowed in all forms of shorts! Time for change! I’d suggest just packing a scarf for last minute cover ups. And, it was super hot the beginning of July!

Kristina makes it an excellent point that you will always be at the mercy of the security guards if you try to flout the rules. You might get away with it, but you might not.

Dario - lol!

Any suggestions for clothes for women and men beginning sept 10 on a 13 day southern Italy tour.