Another Vatican Dress Code Question
 

OK, I see that it is no shorts or bare shoulders. But, are 'capri' pants okay-- the ones that fall to mid calf? Is it just that your knees need to be covered?

I have teenage daughters that wear short skirts, and I know that is a no-no. Could they bring and slip on those 'leggings' under their skirts that cover the leg down to their ankles?

I guess for men the only alternative really is to wear pants; is that correct?

Thanks!

Capri pants are OK.

It seems an odd problem to me. If you want to visit the Vatican, why not wear appropriate clothing for that day?

Yes, yes, yes & yes. And don't forget to wear at least short sleeves.

Padraig--

I am trying to dress appropriately; thats why I'm asking!

I'm trying to balance dressing properly with not having to pack bulkier clothes that will only be worn once on the trip, and trying to stay cool while waiting in line.

Thanks

Anything that is suitable for the Vatican is also suitable for anywhere else in Italy, so it need not be a one-use outfit.

luv2go, what underlay my challenge was not your question about capris, but the question about your daughters donning leggings under their skirts. Surely it would make as much, or more, sense for them to have capris or light cotton pants for visiting the Vatican and perhaps for other places where short skirts are not favoured. Or, indeed, if the evenings become cool.

Vatican and other Catholic churches : knees and shoulders covered. It's just that :)

I visited the Vatican last winter. I had on an above the knee wool skirt, but I also had thick tights on. By this logic, I would imagine that leggings under a shorter skirt would serve the same function, and would not be a problem.

We were at the Vatican last month, and one of our male travelling companions had on shorts - the long baggy kind. No problem with that. There was a sign outside that indicated what was acceptable and not acceptable, and he felt like his dress was acceptable.

Frankly, I was much more dismayed by the number of people yakking on cell phones in the Vatican than anything I saw being worn.

It would make a lot more sense for these girls to simply wear skirts that weren't above the knee. Wouldn't that make more sense and be easier? Putting leggings underneath a skirt sounds like torture to me in the summer (and looks very stupid, I don't care what the idiotic current fashions are).

A lot of young women and teenagers do indeed wear nice cool, cotton skirts in Europe in summer that are not above the knee. Really. In fact, such skirts were really popular in the places I went in Europe last summer, more girls were wearing skirts than pants/capris (and def. not shorts) in the cities. Some were short skirts, but most were not, going from kneelength to ankle-length.

Actually, you could find hip-hugger skirts easily that can fit the need to show off the skin, if that's the idea -- and then it would be easier to pull down a Tshirt or something over the top so skin didn't show. Those hip-hugger skirts usually were longer, as I recall, as that balances the design better.

Capri pants are fine - but women need to make sure upper arms and most of bosom are covered too, as well as midriff (some of the latest tee shirts have sleeves but are cut way too low in front).

For men - they should really wear pants - unless they want to risk having to tie a shawl around their waist to make a skirt to cover their knees.

The girls skirts and sundresses that they are taking to Italy are 'short' They are 16 and very thin and that is the kinds of clothes they have; I don't want to buy anything new, or have to pack jeans, which are the only real long pants they have--jeans are bulky and too hot to wear in the summer in Italy. The girls are taking sundresses and skirts to wear most of the time, because we don't like to wear shorts in Europe--(its just that their skirts are shortand well above the knee) So, my thought was the capris or the leggings that they could throw on at the entrance to 'cover up'

Thanks all for your help

I agree that capris will be fine as will a nice peasant style skirt. It is important to teach all tourists to be respectful. (even if they are 16) If the girls just won't consider wearing appropriate clothes maybe just don't take them to the places that have a dress code.

In the case of the Vatican (as well as some other places you will likely visit in Italy), it is not just a custom but a rule. From the signs I saw in September, your "leggings" alternative won't cut it.

A sarong would do the trick.

I agree with lilylace, it is a good time for your kids to learn they sometimes have to pay the price if they are going to certain places in the world. I don't think leggings will cut it either but they can put on capris under their skirt for the times they will be in churches, etc. Have fun.

I'm amused that people jump to the conclusion that my girls don't WANT to wear something that is appropriate. They are respectful of dress codes, and mindful of customs in other countries, which is precisely why I asked the question in the first place. THEY know that they need to dress correctly and brought up the capri option with me as we were discussing packing, because above all else, I stress packing lightly with them as they plan their wardrobe options. They are relatively well traveled and know that the outfits that they take to say, Hawaii are not necessarily the outfits that one would take to sightsee through major capitals in Europe. They know that short shorts and tank tops are not suitable to dressing for dinner in Europe, which is why they are mainly taking skirts and sundresses, albeit short ones at that.

We don't often visit places such as Saint Peters on our trips, and we were just making sure that we did bring a proper and suitable outfit, although one that would stand up to waiting long hours in line in the hot Italian sun.

Honestly, I think the easiest thing to do is to get them each one knee length skirt. They are in fashion right now and can be had for very little money at places like Old Navy. Get a cotton knit and it won't take up hardly any room. Or those cotton knit gaucho things I keep seeing in the store....

http://www.oldnavy.com/browse/produc...amp;pid=455741 See! $14.00 and a rainbow of colors. Problem solved.

well, now that you have explained it, good for you for setting a good example for them. Can they take some cotton capris?

I'm old enough to remember when you had to dress "appropriately" to go anywhere in Europe, not just St. Peter's. No shorts, no mini-minis, no bare bellies, no halter tops. Heck, you couldn't wear that stuff on the plane to get there! I'm also old enough to wish we could get back to a semblance of that dress code. I hope the fashions Christina observed last summer continue.

Capris are perfectly fine.

It just seems odd to mention putting them on under the short skirt rather than wearing them from the beginning of the day as that day's outfit of choice.

The Old Navy skirt the previous poster mentioned is a great travel item! I wore mine many days on a 14 day trip to Italy last year and will wear it again in a few weeks in London/Paris.

A micro-mini with tights in summer?? EWWWWWWWWWWWW! What are you thinking?? Are you going to the Vatican, or a mall in Missouri?? You have an absolute criminal dress sense, sweetie darling.

Please don't walk down the Via Condotti dressed like that.

Holy Battistoni, Batman!

marginal mariela- there is no need to make personal attacks on my sense of fashion-

Here is the look I had in mind..

http://juicycouture.neimanmarcus.com...=22&tid=C6

If this is what they are wearing to the mall in Missouri, then apparently they are very much in fashion.

luv2go.....that look is very much how my almost 17 year old dresses....i see nothing wrong with it and she will be covered in all the important places on our trip thru the vatican! no reason to make mountains out of molehills....everyones fashion sense is different

A short dress and leggings - maybe to just below the knee - is very fashionable here with those young & slim enough to look good in it.

Luv2go,
Please try to understand the advice here for how it is intended. You asked if a short skirt with leggings would be appropriate to wear to the Vatican. Several of us said that from our experience not only would it not be it would also be against the rules.

The picture you posted is exactly what I thought you suggested and I do not believe it is appropriate for the Vatican.

I am not in any way assuming anything about your daughters, I am answering your post. You don't have to take our advice - that's the great thing here, but please don't get upset because we did not answer the way you would have liked us to answer.

The Poper is from Bavaria. A nice dirndl might be suitable.

Sorry Pope!

St. Peter's is an active church, where people worship. I've visited three times and have seen people praying, meeting with priests, in confessions, and a baptism.

The Vatican consists of the headquarters, apartments and various holdings of the head of that church. The Sistine Chapel is the Pope's private chapel.

Why do people insist on making every attempt to evade the very reasonable dress code the church asks you to observe while you are in the church? We're lucky they allow us to troop through and see all the treasures. I think they are already very liberal and understanding of tourists and casual dress.

I doubt you would take your daughters to your church dressed the way you are describing. Why would you be so disrespectful of somebody else's worship? Their world won't come to an end if they wear capri pants or longer skirts that day.

And it's not a bad lesson for them to respect other people's values and customs even if they don't share them.

I agree that jeans will be much too hot to wear during the summer but I think your daughters would also be very uncomfortable with leggings on. Since there is also some question about whether they would be dressed appropriately with the look you've mentioned, why not have them bring one or two inexpensive pieces that would definitely work?

Of course men can wear anything including shorts because they are MEN DUH its women that the church is against

you people are so funny you go on and on about proper dress in rome but its OK to PISS in the streets there hey why not as
long as you have a long shirt on

Mediaqueen this post is about 18 months old, not sure if you realised that!

Padraig beat me to it.

Stick a couple of sarongs in your luggage. They can be used to cover legs in the Vatican and take no space.

so who cares I dont