I know Italian churches say no bare shoulders and knees. Bringing a light shirt with you to put on over a tank top easily solves the shoulders problem but how strick are they about knees. I realize shorts or mini skirts would not be allowed but most of my skirts come to just above the knees. And you can't exactly change your skirt in public. Do you really have to walk around Italy in long pants or a long skirt in July. Seems like it would be awfully hot. What have others done?

As long as your skirts are not real minis,<BR>I do not think there would be a problem.<BR>Last summer we saw women at the Vatican, in the Sistine Chapel in tank tops!!<BR>the only place where I saw a very strict control,<BR>was at the Abbezia at Montecassino.<BR>no bare shoulders, and no bike shorts, or even skirts (way) above the knees.<BR><BR>If you are in a city such as Rome, it will be more relaxed.<BR>Wear your longest skirt if you are going to a rural church,<BR>or Montecassino!!!!<BR><BR>My daughter and I took very light scarves, that were wide enough to cover the shoulders,<BR>easy to stuff into a bag,<BR>and not worry about wqrinkling.<BR><BR>Have fun!!<BR><BR>

SO long as you're "decent" it's unlikely to cause a problem.<BR><BR>I've never done it myself, but I've seen people carry those thin wrap around sarongs, and just tie them on when entering a church/monastery

I think that you should realize that nancy's experience is not typical. Don’t even think about getting into the Sistine Chapel if you are wearing shorts (or anything that even shows your knees) or sandals. I think that your shoulders also have to be covered.

No sandals allowed? Are you serious?

I did what a previous poster suggested and brought a sarong - then just wrapped it around me like a skirt, over my shorts. No problem! I've never heard of anyone having a problem with sandals though - that's a new one one me! I also noticed that in some churches the security guards at the doors were noticeably stricter on tourists than they were on Italians for some reason. They tended to be a bit aggressive too sometimes.

Knees are OK. Vast expanses of leg above the knee is not. Sleeveless t-shirts are also not OK.<BR><BR>No-one has ever cared what I had on my feet, but I've never tried barefoot

In Italy, I found many churches were not too strict about the clothing, though I always had a short sleeve shirt to wear over my shoulders if necessary. I also brought a sarong or wide scarf to tie around my waist when a long skirt was required. I never saw any place restrict sandals, though. And yes, proper clothing was strictly enforced at St. Peter's. I saw people turned away for wearing shorts.<BR><BR>Even if it's not strictly enforced, I really believe it's important to show respect and wear clothes that are more discreet, rather than trying to find out how many places you can "get away" with just wearing shorts or bare shoulders.