Men Wearing Shorts in Rome
 

I have been reading about what women should and should not wear, but what about men. Can men wear shorts to churches, etc. or is that not appropriate in Italy?

We just returned from Rome a couple of days ago.<BR><BR>Virtually nobody wears shorts in the cities.<BR><BR>We were in the Sorrento area for a few days as well. Many people wore shorts there (and Capri and Amalfi Coast,etc).<BR>

Thank you for the reply. I guess it doesnt matter that it will be July and hot...I guess they will not wear shorts anywat...

John,<BR>Shorts aren't really cooler than long pants. They keep the sun off your legs. I think it has more to do with the fabric. Fashion is not my department but I think the choice between long and short is more a choice than a hot not so hot thing.<BR>

I guess my question really is this: I am going to Rome in July and I will be visting churches, etc. Should I just wear pants so as not to worry about dress codes, etc. I just don't want to look out of place.

Wear pants, save the shorts for beach towns. Shorts are not appropriate for churches.

John, wear what ever you wish, I wear shorts in Italy with no problems at all. Shorts are more comfortable to me than pants, regardless of the material, plus in July. You will have no problems.

Hi John. I love being a dissenter about shorts (and tank-tops, etc.) in churches. While they're not considered appropriate attire by religious officials and many other people, I consider them appropriate and if I ran a church would definitely allow them. Furthermore, I suspect God couldn't care less what you wear, caring far more about what's in your heart than what's on your body. <BR><BR>That being said, I (and God) don't make the rules for churches, so to be safe and respectful -- not to God, but to other people's aesthetic and/or religious sensibilities -- you'd best not bare your legs and knees (and shoulders and, I think, feet) in churches in Italy. <BR><BR>

I was in Rome and Florence last year in late May early June. At first my wife and I wore long pants everywhere but noticed that many people--both men and women were allowed into Churches in Florence and Rome wearing bermuda shorts if they cover your knees. I think the Vatican ws the only place where you had to wear long pants. A suggestion is capris. However, women who did not cover their bare shoulders were not allowed into many churches unless they had a shawl or wrap.

I can't speak for God, but I do believe she just might draw the line at the idea of men in capri pants...

Thank you all for your replies...

Rush Limbaugh in capri pants would be an abomination before me and I would be forced to smite him. On all other men, capri pants would be fine, as long as they're weren't worn with black socks.

al contratio, black is assuredly the only color socks a roman man would consider wearing with his capri pants, lest he be branded a tourist.

With respect to my comment about Capris--I was talking about women.

i've lived and worked in rome for years and they won't let you into churches with shorts on, also ladies skirts must be well past the knee. i would throw a pair of light pants in my knapsack and slip them on when i'd visit the churches...then on my way out, i'd take them off and be left with my skirt again. also both women and men MUST have their shoulders covered...ie. no tanktops! one last tip, on a fashion point of wiew, when in Rome, DO NOT WEAR SHORTS...you'll stick out as a tourist...ie. target for gypsie robbers.

John, dear: wear explorer/cargo shorts or leather shorts with knee-high black socks and sandals. Do not wear deoderant. Speak with a Cherman accent and scowl. Or speak with an Australian accent and leer. No one will catch on that you are an American.<BR><BR>Seriously: NO shorts in churches!

I have lost a ton of weight and I am looking great these days ,but even I would not wear shorts in church.

I just returned from Florence and Rome 2 days ago. No shorts please for women or men. My husband thanked me for advising him not to bring them. We saw shorts on men...stood out as tourists and the vatican does not allow (or bare shoulders on women) them in St. Peters. Addendum: Definintely see St. Peters. It's amazing.

Do not waer shorts in any church

Many (most?) churches have signs at the door showing, pictorially (via a big "X" over the picture of the forbidden thing) what's not allowed: shorts, mini-skirts, taking photos, bare chests. The sign varies, but when there is one, shorts are always on the "X" list.

The convertible pants with zip off legs are a good solution. Wear them as shorts and then zip on the bottom part to go into the church. My husband bought three pair at a sporting goods store on sale and thinks they are great. (Some of the cargo pants have handy pockets, too, and are made of nylon so are easy to wash and dry.)

Italy is more conservative, but in spain many woman, specially in the mediterranean coast, go to sunday´s mass in bikini! It is true; we´ll see if in the near future will go on topless...