Hello,
Is is true that sneakers/shorts are taboo in Italy or is it in the cities in Italy.? What about the countryside: Tuscany and Sicily? I've heard women wear mostly dresses and sandals. Help! I like shorts and practical walking shoes!
Thanks for any input!

I recently saw plenty of people wearing shorts and sneakers in Italy. My husband wore shorts above the knee and sneakers, and was not out of place. I wore skirts above the knee and sandals, which were more comfortable with the heat.

To be honest, we saw people wearing just about everything over there. Wear what you will be comfortable in and don't worry.

I can but agree with Statia.

Previous post went on without my permission...
I think you should wear what you prefer.
Shorts , sneakers or sandals are a common practice here in Rome when off-duty, during daytime and even at night, not only among youngster.
You won't feel absolutely out of space, unless you wear white socks... ;-)
Just keep in mind those basic dress rules when visiting Vatican ans some churches.

Just got back from Italy and that is what most folks are wearing! Too hot to wear anything else except for linen and/or cotton. Wait until you see how many men are wearing Aligator(Lacoste) golf shirts!!

I agree with the above as to wearing what you feel comfortable in especially in hot weather. You'll see people wearing everything in Italy, including jeans, T-shirts, running shoes, sandals with and without socks, shorts of varying lengths. Besides, nobody here is going to know what you wore and the ones who are constantly preaching about not wearing this or not wearing that are probably just PO'd because they can't pull it of themselves!

This question will get the prize for the most repeated question on this board. And the most repeated response is.........................Where what you want!

Ops! wear, not where!