luv2travel6

Hello, we are traveling to Italy next week and I had read that any visitors to churches, such as the Duomo in Florence and St. Mark's Basilica in Venice need to have shoulders and knees covered (so presumably this means pants or long skirts/dresses). Given that the temperature is predicted to be in the high 90s to 100 degrees during our visit, this will be uncomfortable. We of course want to be respectful, but wondered how strictly these rules are enforced? Thank you!

J62

I think the right question to ask (yourself) is actually "if on the particular day I am there they enforce the rules, and I am not appropriately dressed, what will I do?"

If you choose to wear something that could be questioned, but want to be prepared you could carry a shawl make a wrap around long skirt and wear a shirt that isn't sleeveless.

dreamon

Wearing a longer skirt and top with sleeves isn't necessarily hotter, a lot depends on the fabric, for example linen/cotton vs synthetic. Because I burn easily I tend to avoid sleeveless things in the height of summer anyway. And even if there is no one checking, it's a mark of respect to dress appropriately (guessing though, that many visitors will not be thinking about what they're wearing).

Surfergirl

Capris and a short sleeve top are fine and comfortable in that kind of weather. Or a sundress and very light shawl you can tuck in your purse. That's what I did for both Italy and Turkey, where you needed to also cover your head!

lavandula

Wear a longer loose skirt and carry a loose shirt (maybe like a men's shirt) to pop on over the top if you are sleeveless, and roll up the sleeves to the elbow. This is similar to what I would wear in an Australian summer to keep the sun off. Not hot at all because the air can circulate under your clothing and you don't expose your skin. You might favour light colours over dark so the sun doesn't scorch you through your clothing. Do observe the rules, it's polite and you don't want to offend the people who are giving you hospitality and sharing their churches with you.

Lavandula

janisj

" . . . this will be uncomfortable."

When it gets extremely hot here I don't wear shorts but long floaty skirts, I find shorts and capris hotter. (I wear shorts of course if playing sports etc).

And I usually carry a light shawl or cotton cardigan or sometimes a shrug, since even in the heat some bldgs can be quite cool.

Seamus

When we visited Italy during hot weather with niece who favored sundresses, shorts and such she bought a scarf to wraparound her waist to satisfy entry requirements, kept it tucked in her purse.

Faedus

I think "dreamon," a few comments above, was on to something. Your comment seemed to imply that you may be willing to wear something inappropriate, if you can get away with it. But after many years of international travel, I recommend always following common principles of respect, whether authorities are watching or not.

crellston

I am a man and, given the choice, I would certainly wear "long floaty skirts" in hot weather. Indeed , I have a couple of Kramers, brought back from Cambodia which I do wear around the house in summer . Not quite brave enough to wear them out on the streets just yet.

J62

Yeah, the issue with us guys wearing Kramers in public is wearing them Kramer style....

raincitygirl

I just came home from Rome where it was 35-39 degrees during our stay. They were definitely enforcing the rules in the Pantheon when we visited and there were hawkers outside selling shawls.
It’s actually cooler to wear lightweight cotton or linen shirts with some kind of sleeve and floaty dresses/skirts or loose pants/longer shorts in those materials than bare too much skin in that kind of roasting heat.
Not to mention the respect part of it; you are in another country.