My husband wants to pack shorts for mid to end of October to Rome Florence and Venice. Will he be able to get into churches etc wearing shorts?

Shorts are inappropriate attire in catholic churches. Most churches in Italy will have a sign by the front door saying something to the effect "no shorts" along with pictures of other clothing no nos (bare shoulders, bare midriffs, etc.)Only large churches like the Vatican, Santa Croce in Florence and San Marco in Venice will actually have a guard at the front preventing people in shorts from entering. But just because you can enter a church in Italy in shorts doesn't make it right.

Also, by the end of october it might be a little brisk for shorts - not cold yet - but not really warm either. And really - why must a grown man wear tennis gear in cities?

I see people walking into the local church here in shorts, that is why I asked. But I will tell him that shorts on the trip will not be a good idea. Thanks.

Oh, I must reread my post. Did I write Tennis gear? Hmmm. I stated he has shorts. They are quite expensive designer shorts. Shame shame making assumptions.

While the search function of this site may not be perfect, it will usually yield good information. So,using the search box above, enter "attire churches" and start reading. Have a good trip.

How much, on average, will a good pair of cut-off designer shorts set me back?

Where is "the local church here"? And, sorry to be blunt, but, if you're not going into churches where ever you live now, why do you plan to go into them in Italy?

Hi robbie,
>Did I write Tennis gear? Hmmm. I stated he has shorts. They are quite expensive designer shorts. Shame shame making assumptions.<

Whether they are tennis gear, hiking gear, swimming gear, boating gear or he just hasn't grown up doesn't matter.

Shorts are not appropriate for adults in church.

Why would their price or pedigree make them any different? Shorts are shorts; tuxedos are tuxedos. It doesn't matter where they were purchased from, or how expensive they are, there's appropriate and inappropirate dress.

To reiterate: they are not appropriate, no matter who made them, who's wearing them, or what the weather is like. Period.

BC

beachbum,

Speaking for myself, I venture into churches to see the architecture, works of art, listen to music and to better understand the aspects of history they offer. If there is a God, I'm sure she wouldn't be offended by my motives.

I hope you're not saying that only the devoutly religious person is allowed/welcome in a church??

Hi KS,

I agree.

Do you wear shorts?

Tank tops?

No, of course not, why do you ask? Believe it or not, some of us heathens have a great sense of decorum.

Hi KS,

I asked only because the OP was about wearing shorts.

I did not intend to imply that you would do so.

We would go into the church for the history and art etc.
We live in Florida, people here do wear shorts to church as I see them.
So what you are saying is showing knees is not appropriate. There is a difference between dressy silk shorts and those you wear for "tennis" or to possibly do the lawn vs. those type of shorts one would wear out on South Beach at night.

Hi Robbie,

I don't wish to be mean, but Italy ain't South Beach.

They are much more conservative.

Shorts and bare shoulders are considered to be unseemly, if not blasphemous.

Ira, what you wrote is not mean. Answers like he is not grown up enough not to wear tennis attire is mean. Everyone knows though there are some grumpy people on this board.
I wanted to ask so that I knew as we are beginning to pack now. Thank-you for the appropriate answer.

Churches are places of worship first and historical buildings second (if so). If you have to ask, you already know the answer. Why would you think it is appropriate for you to wear an attire that worshippers would not dare?

Tell your husband to pack shorts. We just got back at the end of September and I wore shorts during the day, everyday, and slacks at night to dinner.

I distinctly remember as we entered the Duomo in Orvieto there were pictures outside the entrance indicating shorts were OK and short-shorts were a no-no (picture of man/woman in short-shorts with a diaginal line thru it, meaning not allowed) for both men and women.

Now that's the only church we visited. I was on a "wine" mission this trip, and shorts were the rule rather than the exception.

Enjoy Italy.