are scarves required in Italy?
 

Are women required to wear scarves inside any of the cathedrals in Italy? I am going on a tour and they recommended bringing one. I thought that was odd.

None of the churches/cathedrals that I have visited ever required head coverings of any kind.

They may have told you that in order to have a scarf to cover your shoulders, which can't be bare.

Hi mku, I agree with SeaUrchin. No doubt travellers on former tours wore sleevless or cap sleeve tops and so could not enter some of the cathedrals. A shawl consequently can be put around the shoulders to confirm with the dress code. No head covering is ever required.

Therefore, make sure the scarf is large enough to cover BOTH shoulders and upper arms if you will be wearing sleeveless tops.

Great, thanks for the response. We are going in March, which I assume will be quite chilly and we will be wearing sleeves. I think they were actually recommending the scarves for the heads. This group went on a tour in Greece a few years back so maybe they had to do it there, not sure.

Orthodox churces (in Greece or in Russia) require that women cover her heads but not Catholic churces (as in Rome).

A T-shirt is okay.

But you are right, in March it will be too chilly to wear sleeveles. Especially in the churches it can be pretty cold. So better take a jacket with you.

Culture..I note many women in our RC church wearing a head covering. Usually they are older women with habits from an older age. Many local families still insist on a meatless Friday. Poland.

I travel to Europe everyweek and frequent various cathedrals with a friend. I have never seen a required head covering sign in any of these places. I am not Catholic but even my very devout Catholic friend never wears one in the churches while there.
Personally, I would bring a scarf or two so that the fashion police don't round you up!