Wearing shorts in Italy?

The no-shorts rule applies to churches only. You can wear them on the streets if you like. However, do keep in mind that wearing shorts while strolling the streets of Rome does not allow you the spontaneity to just head inside an interesting looking church you come across.

" response to Bob - that would never happen!! I'm a transplanted New Englander, I won't wear my Patriots jersey either." You are good to go, my friend!!

Yes, not worry. But only on a hot day.

You can wear shorts pretty much whenever you want. The major exception is that many churches, especially St. Peter's, do not allow shorts.

Do a search regarding shorts in Italy and you will find this question is asked often. The bottom line is that in order to visit churches people (women too) can't have exposed knees and shoulders. If you are traveling with a significant other that means no shorts, skirts or dresses above the knee, and no sleeveless shirts.

thanks everyone so far, and I meant to say our trip is in late June to early July, so I expect it will be hot.

Rob, the shorts are only OK if you promise not to wear your Ravens jersey or T shirt! Have a great trip!

As long as you have a cellphone glued to your ear, you will fit right in (you will see what I mean when you get there). Churches, and only churches, enforce dress codes in Italy. When you visit, have your shoulders, knees, and everything in between covered (no bare midriffs either) and you will be fine. Women have the exact same dress code. Capris are fine; T-shirts are fine; sandals or flip-flops are fine. The code is about modesty, not wearing nice clothes.

response to Bob - that would never happen!! I'm a transplanted New Englander, I won't wear my Patriots jersey either.

Well, you're not going to get arrested for wearing shorts, unless they're ugly and it's the fashion police. In Italy it's more that Italian men have a higher tolerance for heat before they start wearing shorts. An inexpensive pair of lightweight cotton or linen pants will keep you cool at a much higher temperature than you might think. As for churches, I'm in Italy right now and we went to mass yesterday morning at Basilica San Marco in Venice. The sanctuary was packed because it was first communion for a lot of the local children. I counted only two men wearing shorts, and they were tourists. The guards let them in. Go figure. In St. Peter's in Rome, they enforce the dress code more strictly than in any other church. Men have to wear long pants there, not just shorts that come down over the knee (like capris or some board shorts). It's all a matter of balancing personal comfort with personal style, while factoring in a few places that have strict requirements.

It really depends on the church. Some will enforce dress codes and some won't. In two years I was never turned away from a church for having shorts on. The only time we were ever told anything was in Palermo at the cattadrale about my wife covering her shoulders.