cboris

Hi all,

I'm concerned about my son making it through the Vatican in August without suffering too much from the heat in long pants. I googled whether children are allowed to wear shorts and found this on one website:

"A dress code for St. Peter's is enforced. No bare shoulders, no shorts above the knees (this includes guys). Kids may be allowed in wearing shorts, but not bare shoulders (bring a T-shirt along to cover them up)."

This is not an official Vatican website and it only says they "may" be allowed in. Does anyone have experience with this?

I also saw this on a fodors thread, "Son was kept from going into the Vatican wearing shorts. A vendor across the street was selling paper pants." I guess that answers my question, but can someone describe these paper pants? Do they sell them in child sizes or is the waist adjustable?

I'm not in any way opposed to following the dress code and being respectful, I just want to help my son stay as cool as possible while also being respectful.

I also saw zip off pants suggested, of course that's a possibility.

Thanks in advance!

socaltraveler

I would pack one pair of lightweight pants and not worry about anything, unless I saw something on an official site.

kybourbon

Here is a picture of the entry sign and allowed dress at the Vatican. Men are in pink.
http://saintpetersbasilica.org/Pics/...essCode-JG.jpg

The St. Peter's website is not the official Vatican website, but that is the official Vatican sign. I have seen kids allowed in with shorts below their knees, but entry can be random. I've also seen people allowed through security and then turned away at the door. In my last few trips, I haven't seen the paper pant vendors.

cboris

Oh my goodness, kybourbon! Those illustrations are funny! There's no question that their female picture is inappropriate! Thank you for posting, that makes it very clear what they mean.

I typed the topic of my post and then did some google searches and realized I should have really just asked about the paper pants. I certainly won't chance not being allowed in, so my son will not wear shorts!

I will almost certainly buy the zip off pants. The company that I was thinking of getting them from sells lots of shorts below the knee that might work, but since the zip off cargos also seem to be below the knee, I think they are the safest bet. Depending on how long they are I may see if they'll let him in with them zipped off, and then zip them on if he's not allowed. He is on the shorter side and they're clearly below the knee on the model. But I'll be prepared either way.

http://www.bodenusa.com/en-US/Boys-T...?NavGroupID=19

To be clear, if my daughter wears capris that are just below the knee, this will be ok, correct? It seems from the illustration that capris are ok. This is what she has, though in a navy & white stripe that is more sedate than what the model is wearing, and they are definitely below her knee. Again, she is on the shorter side, so they will not be shorter than they are on the model. She does have a longer dress, but it is sleeveless so I think a t-shirt & these shorts would be safer. A cardigan with the dress would be too warm, I think.

http://www.bodenusa.com/en-US/Girls-...l-Pushers.html

charnees

The girls' capris look OK. They just have to cover the kneecaps.

kybourbon

FYI - It's not just the Vatican that enforces dress code. If you plan to visit other churches, some of them will be just as strict. Capris for your daughter and a top with sleeves will be fine (short sleeves are fine, but not sleeveless).

The last time I saw someone selling paper pants was 2003 and that was in the piazza in front of St. Peter's. Perhaps they are still there somewhere, but not allowed where they used to be.

nytraveler

Little kids - and 9 is little - should be allowed in wearing shorts as long as they are not teensy shorts (and the 9 year olds I see wear shorts to their knees). For older (adult size) kids the adult rules apply.