What to wear in Italy in August?

"Are shorts and sleeveless okay in Italy?"

This is one of the most frequently asked questions on the site, if interested you can browse endless discussions here of this, here's just one.

Bottom line: Go for comfort in the heat. The only hard-and-fast rule is that in Italian churches bare knees and shoulders are a no-no. Many travelers choose to comply out of respect, but the rule is enforced at only a few, generally the bigger and more popular (with travelers) duomos/churches.

Thanks--I'll look for other threads. I appreciate your advice.

Glad to help. I included one prior discussion, click the link above--it discusses a change of dress code enforcement at the Vatican, which isn't on your itinerary, apparently--but I thought you might find it of interest.

It can be pretty hot in Italy in August--comfortable clothing, getting out of the sun, and water are important.

Again, the only "rule" is in Italian churches. This could be an issue for you in Venice and Florence.

For details on how to efficiently search for prior discussions (the search box at upper right doesn't really work), click here.

Laura, Kent is dead on! Just got back Tuesday night (which is why I was WIDE awake at 3 AM and now perky at 6 :)! We were in Rome, Florence, Venice, Pisa, Lucca and Siena. It was almost 100 degrees the first 3 days we were there- HOT and HUMID! People of ALL nationalities wore shorts! And not just long ones! If you were between the ages of 15-30 and female-
SHORT shorts and camis were all over- no matter of nationality. I found many women (myself included) wearing sun dresses or light capri pants with sandals. Also saw capri pants on men, though I will add MOST of the time these were not American men.
As for tennis shoes, non Americans wear them but not the big, clunky kind you might wear here. They are more streamlined, almost like a cleat but with a rubber sole.
Water and gelato were key :)! Enjoy!

Thanks, Michelle. I was hoping someone would tell me that it's ok to wear shorts! :-) I figured we would wear shorts when we're at the beach and maybe in the hill towns and that we would wear pants (or maybe capris for me) when we are going in mueseums and churches in the cities. I appreciate both your and Kent's advice. Thanks!

There is no shortage (pun?) of people wearing shorts in Italy, so it's OK in the sense that there is no fashion police to stop you, with the exception of certain churches. Generally speaking, tourists are much more likely to be wearing shorts than are the natives. Generally speaking.

I think this whole issue can best be summarized this way: Your decision to wear shorts depends on how important your physical comfort level is versus your "cultural" comfort level. How much do you want to blend in with the locals?

That said, there are much worse things you could do in Italy than wear shorts.

As little as possible...

I agree with everything that's been posted so far, too.

Many women get around the shorts vs churches problem by wearing capris or something similar. If they fit loosely you get a little air flow (yea!), and everybody will be wearing them - at least on my last few trips they were everywhere. You'll 'blend in', for sure! And you can wear them into the evening - you'll probably feel more comfortable wearing them vs shorts at a restaurant. Others like to wear loose skirts or sundresses; if going sleeveless, just make sure to always carry a scarf/shawl in your daybag for those churches...(you could also carry a slip-on 'broomskirt' for those churches - wear it over your shorts - you won't be alone LOL!). Tennis shoes are everywhere, also, and not just on the tourists as mentioned above. With all of those uneven cobblestones you want to wear a shoe with a thick-ish, sturdy sole. Not those thin-soled 'Ked'-type tennis shoes, but more of an athletic-type sole. Teva-type soles are good, too. And my $.02 - in the summer I always bring 2 pairs of shoes. Something with a closed-toe (in case of rain, cool-ish temps,) and a 'touring sandal' like Teva, Keen, etc. My feet really appreciate it when I switch shoes every once in a while. And in Italy/Europe in August, I'm probably living in those sandals - sooooo much cooler! One pair vs two pairs is a highly contested subject...in the winter, I wear one really comfy pair. The wrong shoes can use up a lot of luggage space, and weigh a lot.

If your shoes aren't comfortable, you really won't care what clothing your wearing!

It's going to be hot...although depending on where 'South' is for you, the humidity may be lower ;-)

Thanks for your input, Mary. I appreciate your tips and advice, which makes me feel better about wearing my shorts/capris and my running shoes (which are dark gray with thick soles, so it sounds like they will work well). I'll look into getting some sandals like you recommended--which style have you found to be most comfortable for lots of walking? I am in Little Rock, so I'm no stranger to humidity (especially this week, when the temps have been above 100 every day). I'm hoping it's a little cooler where we'll be in a couple of weeks!

Ditto on the shorts....they are fine. Most churches I've been to don't enforce the rules. The only one so far was in Palermo. Don't know when in Aug you'll be here but it's been like fall here in my area near Venice for the last 2 weeks. Today is actually cold. You may want to bring something as a back up in case you hit some cooler weather.

You will likely be going to see things that tourists see - not Italians. Thus, you will blend in with all tourists no matter what you wear. I wore long shorts or skorts, cap-sleeve t-shirts and gray running shoes. I blended in. You'll want runners for CT (hiking shoes aren't necessary). Otherwise, I wore Birkenstock sandals which have a nice firm, supportive sole for cobblestones (Tevas, Keens and the like are too flexible for me - and hot!). I travel all over Europe in Birks. They stay nicely on my feet, but I am very used to them. FYI, they are also worn quite a bit by locals and Europeans.