Italy June 2016 - Attire?
 

We are traveling on a bus tour (Rome-Milan-Florence-Venice-Sorento) 12 June - 28 June and wonder what is appropriate clothing to wear considering the temperature and obviously, appropriateness. For example, are shorts and sandals acceptable for men and women, or is that considered too casual? Is denim unacceptable, or are khakis more appropriate.

Clothing questions trigger all kinds of answers here on this forum.

1. Jeans are perfectly okay, always, but khakis or chinos are lighter and more comfortable when it is warm.

2. Shorts and sandals are okay in tourist habitats, I would not feel comfortable in shorts in city centres. For ladies 7/8 or 3/4 trousers are always a good choice.

The generale rule in Italy is: If your attire does not scream "tourist! rip me off!" then you are generally treated better.

Others may contradict, but this is my experience and observation in many years when I worked in Rome.

We were in Umbria and Rome last year. We only wore shorts when we hiked. I otherwise wore knee length shirts with cotton shirts or leggings with a tunic and scarf. I didn't bring jeans or long pants. It was too warm for that. My husband wore jeans or khakis with a solid tee, a polo or a button down cotton shirt. We looked like tourists I'm sure, but we were tidily dressed and were treated just fine. I think how you're treated is a function of your manners, not just whether you look like a tourist.

I think it's safe to say that khakis scream tourist.

You should be aware that many churches have strict rules about appropriate clothing. Basically cover your shoulders and knees, so no shorts. The tour company should be able to give you information about this.

Shorts or not is a matter of taste. I don;t think it appropriate for adults in city centers - but that's me (except possibly knee length tailored city shorts).

Fine for resorts and hiking etc.

But be aware that in several major churches/cathedrals (including the vatican) adults and teens must have pants or skirts that cover knees, as well as covering upper arms and bosoms (not sundresses with skimpy tops). Simply - you will be turned away at the door.

Also, even in some local churches if wearing shorts you may be berated by local residents in the church - since they regard it as disrespectful. So any day you may go into a church you need something longer than shorts.

>> I think it's safe to say that khakis scream tourist. <<

I am not really sure what "khakis" are. We here in Europe wear "chinos". With chinos and polo shirt or T-shirt, you look like a local with style. At least with the proper footwear.

This is what men in Europe wear:

(the conservative version, always right and very comfortable in summer - of course without socks):

http://www.amazon.com/Timberland-Ear...keywords=shoes

This is more modern:

http://www.amazon.com/Aldo-Digiovann...keywords=shoes

Or this - you get the picture?

http://www.amazon.com/iLoveSIA-Mens-...keywords=shoes

Actually, I found it very hard to find Eurpean-style shoes on the U.S. Amazon site, and the results are still not satisfying. Cultural differences still exist.

If you wear shorts or short skirt, take a sarong and shawl in your daypack for churches and monasteries.

Depends on the shorts. If they are knee length and nice looking they are fine for city touring for both men an d women (please just try to not look like you're going to the beach) -lol!

Jeans are acceptable too but I find them too heavy and too hot for traveling in warm weather myself. I prefer cotton, linen, rayon, and for myself I prefer capris instead of shorts or long pants.

I think the most important item is a couple pair of decent shoes/sandals. Make sure those are extremely comfortable for all-day walking.

Wear white New Balance tennis shoes with velcro straps. Black socks. Shorts. T-shirt with some sort of advertising on it. And don't forget the fanny pack!

(Sorry. Just got back from a trip, and couldn't resist.)

I would ask the tour company what is required at the churches you will be visiting (the rules are not the same everywhere); check temperatures about a week before you leave; and ignore all the fashion advice you receive here.

What clothes would you wear on the weekends at home in similar weather to go out around town? Pack those ;-)

Just dress like you want.
If you dress like an ugly businessman, you'll dress like an ugly tourist.

Stereotypes are :
- a bavarian tourist will wear a short, sandals with socks.
- an italian tourist will dress like a belgian wearing casual clothes
- a french tourist will be smart looking, unless he comes from some remote southern areas and he will the wear a 'marcel'
- an amercian tourist will wear a baseball cap, and flip flop. If an overweight woman, she'll wear tight clothes.
- a chinese toutist wil lwear a buttoned-up shirt

Pick your own attire !

Excelpt in Vatican, we never saw some police clothes, albeit I saw some notes in Paris saying that to enter a church you had to be properly dressed.


Ps : what are khakis and chinos ?

let's face it, if you are a tourist, you'll look like one, so it's pretty pointless wasting energy trying to avoid it.

comfort is highest on my priority list which also means feeling comfortable socially - if you think you are likely to want a meal in a high end restaurant you don't want to dress like a slob [or I don't!]

As for the old "should men wear shorts in cities?" question, when it's hot DH wears shorts of the knee-length scout master variety; even so his knees have occasionally been found to be offensive in the sight of the Lord and he has been asked to cover them with a sarong on at least one occasion. Where we have known this would be a problem I managed to get him into a pair of chinos [which are simply smart light trousers, Whathello]

I would NOT wear jeans in June in Italy because it will be too hot and humid. I live in Florida, the world capital of hot and humid, and jeans are just too uncomfortable in the summer. Breezy, light weight slacks are the way to go.

"I think it's safe to say that khakis scream tourist."

I don't give a damn if people know I'm a tourist and if the fact bothers someone, F them.

for me, a simple light weight skirt (that i can roll up in my bag) is more comfortable than shorts. when i hike, i like to wear long pants anyway-- ticks, thorns, etc. so if you are packing light, bring some lightweight hiking pants, dressier pants, and a skirt and you will be good city or country.

i one is under 25 in short shorts, it's super empowering. After a certain age, they do scream either 'tourist' or just too relaxed in the city. my opinion... many will disagree!!

Shorts and a fan-y pack (matching). Good taste prevents me from wearing sandals.

No sandals and [white] socks -- please.