Thank you all for your input. Didn't mean to create a long discussion over jeans but it was interesting to read! I myself is a Catholic and wear jeans to church, thus I was wondering if that is the norm in Rome.. :) Grazie!

Be respectful. Don't be vulgar. Not hard rules to follow...

mnapoli wrote: "Don't be vulgar."

That rule can be hard to follow if you don't know what the norms are in a particular place.

When I say that it shows some knee, I mean that the top of my knees are covered but you can see some of the bottom of my knees, it's NOT calf length.

I agree that it's best to not just try to "get by" but I don't want to pack too much and I would not be comfortable during the rest of my trip in a longer skirt.

I also don't want to wear jeans as, whether or not they are considered "acceptable", it would make me feel uncomfortable.

re: <<KNEES MUST BE COVERED.>>

So, do opaque tights count as knee covering in Rome and the Vatican? (Never had a problem in Venice or Florence).

Hi Fifi,

I think the shape or outline of the knees need to be covered, requiring either a below the knee skirt or a pair of slacks.

Wearing jean to church in Italy in not the norm since in Italy adults (or at least over 30's) usually don;t wear jeans as everyday wear - although they do, of course, wear them on occasion, Mature people in europe usually dress less casually than many people in the US.

However, no on really cares if you wear jeans. At St Peter's (and unofficially at many other churches in Italy) the issue is local standards of modesty - which includes covering legs down to the knees, upper arms and bosom. And this standard applies to everyone of adult size - say 12 or over. Rules are looser for little kids. (Most churches do not have anyone at the door enforcing these rules, but if dressed immodestly you may be subject to comments from locals - esp older women - who see skin-baring clothing in church as a sign of disrespect to their religion.

I am never caught at the Vatican without my red or white mitre.

Funny that the Vatican Museum has statues dressed like this: http://www.mlahanas.de/Greeks/Olympi...irlVatican.jpg

Wait until you see all the leaves they put on the male statues. It's horrible.

One of my favourite pieces was the Belvedere Torso. I spent a long time circling it, trying to see if it got the leaf treatment, but I couldn't get a good look at the proper angle. I would have had to walk right up and stare down, and it was really crowded and I was worried people would think I was some kind of pervert.