blaney1977

I have never been to Italy. My girlfriend and I will be traveling to Rome and Florence around the end of May. Can anyone tell me what the proper attire is around town? I see no one in pictures wearing shorts.

Eloise

Italians do not wear shorts in their cities. Only American and German tourists do.

LoveItaly

Hi blaney, you can wear whatever you want. But as Eloise said Italians do not consider shorts city wear.

The proper attire is what you would wear in any big city when it is getting warm. Perhaps lightweight long pants and a nice casual shirt for you.

At least Capris and a short sleeve top for your girlfriend. Or lightweight long pants or a skirt would work also.

The Vatican and most churches do not allow shorts and sleevless tops or tanktops.

Jeans are worn in Italy but they are not the best to pack for warm/hot weather.

Some (or maybe too many) travel to large cities and dress as though they are going to the beach. That is a real turn off in most residents minds.

Just dress for comfort but in a respectable manner and you should feel just fine. Have a beautiful trip. You are going to two fantastic cities!

RufusTFirefly

Rome is an international, world-class capital city. They see people from all over the world dressed all sorts of ways. Wear shorts (not short-shorts) if it's hot. The citizens of Rome will somehow cope. They've survived Attila and Hitler and McDonald's.

Of course, you probably won't be admitted to a fine restaurant and possibly some religious sites wearing shorts, but that would be true in most of the world--except Bermuda and a couple of other spots.

bobthenavigator

Wear the same thing you would wear in NY and Boston on vacation the same time of year.

LoveItaly

I answered the way I did because blaney asked about "what the proper attire is around town".

Of course, as I said, one can wear whatever they want, within reason of course.

But shorts in a world class city does not come under the classification of "proper attire".

chocobon

LoveItaly gave the perfect response to the question. A skirt and top can work to keep the air circulating too. It will be getting warm by the end of May and comfort is a must for all of the walking and line-waiting you may encounter. I'm sure you must know that jeans and sneakers are the hallmarks of American tourists who are novices.

KathrynT

You will also want really comfortable walking shoes.

m_kingdom2

Do you dress so poorly at home that you find it necessary to purchase an entirely new wardrobe for your trips?

I wear what I wear at home, as for shorts...they're more of a seaside thing, however, Prada, Gucci, MiuMiu, Helmut Lang, Dries van Noten (especially) etcetera etcetera all feature shorts in their summer collections. They're very much in vogue this summer, slightly oversized, and worn with a shirt with either short sleeves or better still, the sleeves rolled back.

delvino

Anything black of course (hee hee)!

wliwl

Loveitaly:
Do you think teenage boys can "get away with" wearing shorts on general sight-seeing days (not Vatican, churches)? For instance, I recall in Paris that basically the only people I saw wearing sneakers were teenage boys (or young, 20-something men). Thanks.

nytraveler

Bobthe navigator -

that should be "wear the same thing you should wear in NY at that time" of year.

What some of them do wear is simply incredible (can;t seem to differentiate between touring a world capitol and cleaning out the garage - unless perhaps at home they actually do the latter naked?)

blaney1977

First off, I wasn't in need of a list of this season's hottest trends- if I wanted that, I could pay $5 for any fashion magazine. I have no need to update my wardrobe for my trip. I apprecitate the honest responses from other travelers.
M_kingdom: Thanks for the tip, however misguided.

blaney1977

Thanks LoveItaly for the helpful advice!

RufusTFirefly

If it's hot, wear what is comfortable--within reason of course. There's nothing wrong with shorts--again--not short-shorts. You aren't going to the office, you're on vacation.

cigalechanta

Burmuda shorts are back this year and are not offensive to wear in a conservative place, BUT- if you are not slim, they don't look so great. try a pair of wide legged cropped pants, confortable stylish and cool.

crefloors

The tourists in San Francisco dress the same way as the "classic Amercian stereoype" does in Europe. I always had to chuckle when I'd see them on the Wharf in the summer freezing their butts off in shorts and Aloha shirts with the wind just a blowin' and the fog rollin' in. I imagined hearing "my gawd Ethel. It's June and we're in California for pete's sake"!!!!!! Like others have said, dress "city" appropriate.

elg105

My experience has been that dress is a little bit more stylish in Italy than roming around your backyard at home. I think that most people are quite stylish in the big cities without even trying to be. How many times have I seen gorgeous women riding bikes dressed to the nines! It's just a different way of life. A little more formal perhaps. I think comfortable slacks, a fun skirt and relaxed but tidy looking clothes will get you through most days. One thing though, I do notice that in the evening, most of the crowd does make an extra effort and they seem really well put together. My suggestion is to pack clothes that mix and match well with a eye towards comfort but not sloppy.

amy_zena

The above posters who stated to wear shorts if it is hot are correct. Italians DO wear shorts in the summer, also in the cities. I usually wear loose linen pants in the summer in cities in Italy, but my fiancee (who is Italian) wears shorts in the cities if it is hot. I would wear shorts also if was more comfortable for me, but I prefer loose linen pants. But do not wear shorts on the days you will be visiting churches.

suze

I simply choose ~4-5 of my better casual outfits, that will pack OK, that I would wear at home in the same season, that mix and match. With one combo that would do for nicer restaurants. Definitely comfortable walking shoes or sneakers. I take one pair of long loose shorts in case of a heatwave (although doubtful in May).