<i>&quot;And finding housing in NYC is easy?&quot;</i>

What a silly statement. What does NYC housing have to do with Italian children spending too much money on clothing?

<i>&quot;It may be easy for you to be thin but it is extremely difficult for many.</i>

Nothing worthwhile is easy. Nothing. I would hardly call myself thin. I prefer curves to bone, thank you.

<i>&quot;...if it were easy everyone would look like you. And wouldn't the world be boring.</i>

Well, that's one justification to remain obese. Trust me, I know hundreds of &quot;thin&quot; girls and not a one looks like me.

<i>&quot;you put too much emphasis on style - yes I think some people should learn to dress better... no matter what size... but in the long run- who cares?</i>

I believe the word is confidence and self-esteem. But, trust me, if you choose not to care then don't complain when no one cares about you. (And I'm not talking love or friendship here.)

<i>&quot;I dont think most Italians care what you wear. And you care way too much.&quot;</i>

I agree, I don't think most Italians care what you wear. And here's the kicker (and where you're wrong): I don't care, either.

NYC food snob, I think you have WAY too much time on your hands. Maybe it is time for a volunteer job - something perhaps with Thingorjus?

only kidding lol

I think NYFoodSnob make many very good points. American tourists can be easily identified by their dress in many cases and by their weight as well. I have not yet encountered another country with the obesity problems we have here at home. I think many of the poor clothing choices made are indeed based on lack of respect for other cultures as well as laziness and size of the average American.

I would not want my SO to wear shorts in Italy except at the beach.

How about lederhosen?

Have we heard from m_kingdom2? Now her take should be interesting. ((a)) ((b))

How unexpected...

Here's a telling article on the &quot;value&quot; of physical attractiveness in today's NY Times:
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/05/03/he...gly.html?8hpib

It doesn't speak directly to many comments on this thread but it does offer some insight into why an average-looking person (or below) would do better if he/she learned how to acquire style.

During the week, Italians would be wearing business clothes because they have jobs. You can't compare yourself to them because you are on holiday and they are not. In Milan, the Italian men I saw were wearing suits. Does that mean you also wear one? Of course not, because you are on vacation. In Florence, I saw college students in varying levels of attire, none of which I would be caught dead in. You will be going to tourist sites, so you will be surrounded with tourists in various outfits. Don't worry about it.

Wow. I am going to Italy next week with my daughter--both of us for the first time--and after reading this thread, I am less certain I know what to pack for Rome, Florence, Milan and Venice. We are intersted in fitting in and respecting the culture. However, we are both fit and attractive--and have heard we may be subjected to unwelcome passes. How do we dress?

Buffy, Please don't let us influence you to over think it. Sometimes here we can discuss to death the most simple subject.

Just pack some nice outfits - slacks, skirts, tops, jackets or sweaters, a couple pair of good shoes. My method is to pick 4-5 of the outfits I like best from my normal wardrobe, that fit the season/weather where you will be going. Stick with that and you'll be fine. This time of year I'd expect moderate weather so the dreaded shorts and tank top question shouldn't come up.

Sue and Suze, exactly!
We can't all look like fashion models and maybe we don't even care either way so don't worry, wear what looks good on you and have a wonderful vacation.

If you want to look at current styles check out some of the trendier store's web sites and then, like NYFS says, you can buy similar styles at almost any dept. store.

I agree with suze on over-thinking anything, regardless of the many contrary opinions that appear here.

I don't buy the last-minute panic, either. Women know when they're dressing provocatively and any who say they don't are lying.

Re: Unwelcome passes (not in my book, but) - Italian men do appreciate a beautiful woman in their presence and won't be shy about their excitement and admiration. A confident woman will know how to handle herself in this situation and the flirtation can be quite an adventure, especially for a smart foreigner.

In all honesty, Italian men seem to gravitate to me. I'm not boasting. In all my years of enjoying the attention, not one has ever been overly aggressive or crossed the line of personal-space boundaries. I've made several friends from <i>innocent</i> playful encounters. ;;) If you exude confidence, no one will assume you're vulnerable.

Personally, I'll take the Italian method of ogle to that of any Manhattan construction site. At least the Italian men have olive skin, seductive accents and have their drool glands under control.

Now that we have how men should and shouldn't dress in Italy, how about what women should and shouldn't dress while in Rome, Florence, Siena, and Assist?
We are going in October and need this information.
Thanks

Lydel, what are you planning on wearing that you deem inappropriate?

For Lydel- for both males and females... decent slacks, shirts, shoes, and a jacket. Neutral colors in fabrics that pack well. It's really that simple.

For Lydel - I'll agree with Suze on her selection for October. I would add that they be &quot;comfortable shoes.&quot; You will most likely do a lot of walking.

However, I will still stick to my shorts advice to the original poster that shorts in Rome in the beginning of August is perfectly acceptable for siteseeing. I will say that more stylish clothes should be worn in the evening for dining or attending the clubs. This should apply no matter what time of the year.

This question is for SeaUrchin:
I was wondering if slacks were permissable in the Vatican and the other churches in Italy?
I am more comfortable in slacks than in dresses or skirts.
Thanks

Lydel, I'm not SeaUrchin, but slacks are permissible and commonly seen at the Vatican and other churches.

Lydel, you had me a little worried about your clothing plans, ha. BTW there was a question here a while back where a lady was asking if broom skirts are &quot;out&quot;. Well, now I see them in all the stores, they are back! They are a little more ethnic now with beads and sequins and other things dangling here and there. I bought a short one last night.

'Just a reminder: your clothing is your own business, and doesn't mean that you are a good/bad/smart/stupid/etc. person. Soe pay more or less attention to style (I'm in the former category,) put to a point, that is a personal decision.

HOWEVER, there should be room to consider the appropriateness of your dress for the situation. If you believe that you needn't care what ANYONE thinks, then you show little respect for the customs and circumstances around you. This is what grates Europeans, not the fact that you are a tourist. They put a higher value on persenting oneself well and appropriately in public than many Americans.

Read: no shorts in major cities. It would also be a shame if you miss some of the wonderful artistic treasures of the Churches if you can't manage a pair of linen slacks for a day or two.

madameX, LOL. You're on a roll tonight. &quot;The lady doth protest too much, methinks.&quot;

Maybe &quot;proper attire&quot; for Europe should have its own &quot;Forum.&quot;

Did your husband wear a jacket/blazer on Kauai? ((r)) ((a)) ((b))