No Shorts in Summer for Europe but how about the islands?

Why would shorts be not a good idea in Europe? I've seen plenty of people in Germany wearing shorts in summer.

Now, flashingly colorful Bermuda shorts, maybe not, but regular shorts, sure. Just because I'ld heard people say this, about 10 years ago, I made a point of taking pictures of men in shorts in Germany, and I got plenty. They couldn't all be Americans.

LOL - shorts are nearly everywhere in the summer especially in the south.

I wear shorts in summer and I live in Europe. My wife's former colleague used to go to work in shorts as soon as the clocks went forward each spring and stayed in them until the clocks went back again in the autumn. No he didn't work at the post office, they were in an office tower in Coventry.

But if you aren't going for 6 months and it is April, won't that be October - nearly winter? Summer will be gone by then?

@Nigel Yes the first week in October and the last week in September. Weather will still be nice and in the 70's. Thanks everyone going to keep two shorts on the list.

The biggest problem I see is that shorts aren’t accepted in churches and nicer restaurants. That means taking an extra piece of clothing while touring.

I find it inefficient to pack something that has limited use. I prefer alternatives:

• knee length skort
• a skirt with bike shorts under it
• capris

All of these choices are what I call “trail to table”. They work anywhere so are dual use.

I had one tea length button-up skirt that I wore in the Islands. It was actually cooler than shorts as it kept the sun off my legs. I could unbutton the lower buttons to let the sea breezes blow through.

Also never underestimate the power of the linen pant.

Another vote for linen pants. I have a well-worn, well-loved pair that I have had for years. Many years. It's part of my travel kit unless we're going in winter. They are loose, with the waist partly elastic, and deep side pockets. As far as I'm concerned, they're the perfect summer travel pants. Oh, how I wish I had bought another pair! They are cool, and can be dressed up, if you're the type to do that. (I'm seriously fashion-challenged, myself.) But they look good enough to wear in a nice restaurant, and are comfy enough for a day hitting the cobblestones.

Shorts are worn all over Europe, but less so in cities, when people often visit cathedrals, where shorts aren’t the norm. Short shorts are for the beach only. Most will be wearing shorts on the islands.

I have no idea what Capri skimmers are.

October in Greece could be getting cool or rainy for shorts, depending on where you are heading.

I don’t take linen clothing on holiday, as it creases too easily and looks a mess.

If you are going to the Greek islands you can wear ABSOLUTELY WHATEVER YOU WANT.. as long as you dont plan on attending a church service of course.

Weve been end of sept into october.. shorts are fine.. sundresses, beach cover ups.. flip flops.. go for it.. ( still bring a light cover for evenings as it can cool down a bit )

I am planning the Capri skimmer for churches(Athens). Shorts for the islands only. Linen Pants are a possible purchase on my list. Thanks for the tips.

Linen Pants are a possible purchase on my list.

Old Navy and Macy’s both have linen pants at a good price point. Old Navy sells out quickly.

They should start showing up any day now. I have some navy pants from Macy’s that I like. An elegant cut.

I like to get a linen blend to reduce wrinkles. Light knits wrinkle less.

Patterned pants hide wrinkles better. Also true of darker fabrics. And you can also use a broomstick wrap on your linen pants to have purposefully wrinkled.

When we were in Greece two years ago (September) it was warm. During the day I wore my favorite Skort or capri's by Columbia. Lightweight and could hand wash and dry overnight. I like a linen/cotten blend as well for pants, tops & dresses.

We've seen shorts worn wherever we've travelled in Europe. My husband either wears shorts, Jeans or lightweight Columbia pants.

I wore long pants in Paris last summer and after a hot day though, the hell with that. Much, much more comfortable in shorts. A significant number but a minority of French men were wearing shorts, but no cargo or loud Bermuda shorts. They dressed much classier, I'll admit. I found it easy to pick out a lot of Americans simply by their dress and appearance. I won't go into details but you know what I mean.

Cultural norms are different from fashion silliness. I was in Scotland for 10 days early spring. Variable,weather. Huge tourist population where I was. People wear what they wear at home. They bring a bit of everything and wear it everywhere. I Wore my shorts everywhere and in all weather, just like at home in Boise, Idaho. Sometimes with knee high wool socks. Sometimes I needed my long pants to be comfortable in high winds or on exposed mountains. No one cares. Great conversation starter sometimes. Bring your shorts. Enjoy yourself.

I’m curious as to what people think is going to happen if they break these (imaginary) fashion rules.

I’m curious as to what people think is going to happen if they break these (imaginary) fashion rules

I’ve seen people get denied entry to churches. I also saw one person get escorted out of a church. Both were in shorts.

I don't know about the fashion rules, but yes my wife was denied to a church in Germany and The Vatican for wearing a top exposing her shoulders. We had to go buy a t-shirt to cover her up.

And as for fashion, well, there is no confusing the typical wardrobe of someone in Paris compared to say, Boston lol.

In Assisi a couple of years ago, and in Milan, the gatekeepers were passing out pieces of paper for people to use as shawls or sarongs to cover their shoulders and legs. Weird looking, but effective.

I went to Greece last June. Shorts are fine when it is hot. Even in church.

I wear shorts everywhere, all year. You should, too.

Think Morten means every where but churches, and really that isnt rules, that is respect.

First hot and cloudless day of the year here (24°), about 20% of the males wearing shorts.

I agree and think that any place of worship no matter the location respect should be shown. I will be wearing dress or Capri for places of worship.

I was in Paris last June (2018) and sure wish I had packed my denim shorts. Everyone was wearing them.

Then I traveled throughout Italy last September (2018) and everywhere I went people were wearing shorts, including me. Pack yours !

Everyone in Europe wears shorts in the summer.

“I was in Paris last June (2018) and sure wish I had packed my denim shorts. Everyone was wearing them.“

Hmm, i was in Paris all of last June and never once saw anyone in denim shorts.
I also never saw a local in shorts of any kind, ever.

Everyone in Frankfurt is wearing shorts and I am not talking about tourists. They don't wear them to work of course, but in their free time, yes. Lots of really short ones too on the ladies that can wear them.

Yup, it's Greece. Islands. Shorts are definitely ok.

I am in Greece right now . Going to Paris in a few days after our couple of weeks here .

Shorts are fine everywhere - and because I am aware of the no bare shoulders in churches etiquette ( sometimes a rule but not always ) I tie a thin gauzy scarf to my purse / takes up NO room at all - and I used it last week , while wearing longish shorts we discovered a church on Paros I wanted to enter - I simply wrapped scarf around my shoulders shall style - noting I didn’t even need to ah e brought it as there was a clothes rack immediately outside door loaded with shawls for tourists to borrow to cover themselves - I was glad I had my own though / I do not like to wear another’s sweat .

Shorts are fine anywhere else, and yes my hubby has his denim shorts for Paris - they are stylish ones I’ve seen many men wearing now , slightly longer narrow leg .

I find these posts amusing - I’ll wear shorts in Paris if it’s hot enough , I prefer skirts because I find them cooler , but I’ve got shorts and could care less what a one thinks - they aren’t Daisy Dukes for goodness sake

Even if you wear Daisy Dukes in Paris, no one cares.

Susan, even for your husband?

I wish skirts were OK for guys like in Scotland. I'd think that would be much cooler but I'll never know for sure.

I don't want to get in trouble here but maybe Daisy Dukes should only be worn if the person can pull it off, so to speak? Like yoga pants or wearing a skin-tight cycling outfit? I mean, it doesn't work for everyone. Like wearing a cowboy hat works for only a very small percentage of guys, like Robert Redford, for example. I'm from West Virginia so I hope you know what I mean.

You’re right Mike, maybe not a good look on guys...

I disagree about churches( Greek Orthodox) in Greece allowing shorts. Our experience was that they were stricter than in other European countries, and gave out all kinds of shawls, baggy pants to cover up with.

I disagree about churches( Greek Orthodox) in Greece allowing shorts. Our experience was that they were stricter than in other European countries,

It’s been my experience in the states too. Many Greek Orthodox Church websites have notes about not wearing shorts to church.