Planning for our 7th RS Tour and I have never packed or felt I needed shorts. We are carry on travels so space is limited.
One of Rick's comments is:
"While Europeans do wear casual clothing, their definition of casual is a bit dressier than ours. Shorts are uncommon on older women and in big cities, and the cutoff temperature for "hot enough for shorts" is much higher than in the US. Especially in southern Europe, women can blend in with the locals by wearing Capri pants or a skirt instead; men can pack a pair of as-light-as-possible pants.
Has the norm changed. I see more photos in this web site with men in shorts and T-shirts. Recent RS travelers and guides I would like your input.