nytraveler

There are few rules: adults must be modestly dressed - no bare knees, upper arms bosoms or midriffs in churches and not hats for men, Woman are NOT required to wear hats.

But taking only warm weather wear would be a mistake - since you may well run into cool weather at night. Also you are sure to have some rain - so only sandals or open toes will not work - you each need to have one pair of shoes suitable for wet weather and a sturdy folding umbrella.

Pepper_von_snoot

red cotton pants--on both men and women--are very popular in venice.

i also advice flats in venice. it is very easy to fall walking up and down all the bridges if you are wearing heels.

i saw numerous women fall flat on their asses. one aussie was wearing cowboy boots with a heel when she slipped coming down the rialto.

wet cobblestones and wet marble are very dangerous.

thin

julia1

Oh, and have you checked out this? http://www.fodors.com/news/story_5614.html

Delaine

I'm not sure what "short jeans" are when pertaining to men, but I wouldn't have been very happy if my boyfriend wore them to dinner when we were in Venice at the end of last August. He wore lightweight, nice slacks (khaki, olive, etc.) with nice shirts (think tailored Tommy Bahama "camp shirts" or a long-sleeved dress shirt and blazer).

I wore pencil skirts and tops or dresses to dinner. I wore peep-toed pumps with a wedge heel that had a thin rubber sole. They looked nice and were easy to walk in.

Lexma90

We've travelled to Italy several times during the September-October time frame, though mostly October. The shoes tends to be a dilemma - lighter, summer-type shoes, or warmer, fall shoes? I usually wait until right before the trip to decide, based on the temperatures/rain forecast.

I used to never wear jeans on vacation, but now I often take one pair, especially if we'll be in rural areas and the weather is likely to be cooler or rainier. I hate capris, but if it will be warmer, I bring a couple of skirts. They can also be dressed up or down, depending on where we're having dinner.

Like Delaine, for dressier, I always take a pair of microfiber black peep-toe wedges; they work summer or winter, and the wedges make walking on cobblestones MUCH easier. (I've had them forever; I don't know what I'll do when they finally wear out.)

Shanna

Loose fitting lightweight dresses are great for hot weather - better than shorts. Keep them to the knee (or just below as I was told at the Vatican). I leave jeans at home - too hot and heavy. Shoes must be able to withstand the walk - cobbles, mud, water, long lines. Pls, no flip-flops, even tho' you'll see them everywhere. What I have found when traveling is that the more conservative you are the better the response. In spite of the post-modern, pop world, people respond to that which doesn't offend. And consider the range of temps - Europe is usually cool at night; pashmina, shawl, jacket, long sleeves, even (egad!) stockings. In cities, Italians are fashionable. Countryside, not so much - okay - not much at all. Most important: no one remembers what you wore 2 days ago, so go ahead and wear it again. Cut your luggage by half (but let it air out overnight).