This question is specifically about adult men wearing long shorts (either to the knee or just below the knee) in the heat of summer.

Does anyone know with certainty if an adult male would be allowed into St. Peters and the Vatican Museums on a hot day?

I don't know with "certainty" the answer to your question, but my recommendation is to buy some very lightweight cotton drawstring pants.

http://www.islandimporter.com/catalog.htm?Vl=4&Tp=2

Hi K,

I'm told that it is just like women, covered from shoulder to knee.

These might be even cooler:

http://tinyurl.com/m7ylr

Last summer I observed men with long shorts entering the Vatican Museums and St.Peters. The guards do get a bit touchy about the Sistine Chapel, but they seem much more concerned about women with bare shoulders and above the knee shorts than men with knee length shorts. You can always go to Travelsmith or Lands End and buy long pants with zip off legs (easy to store in cargo pockets). I used those throughout Italy last summer, as I am generally loathe to relinquish shorts but did not want to be excluded from any churches (as I was a few years back in San Gimgnano).

The Vatican is one of the World's foremost places of worship. It's a matter of respect (as well as the rules). It would be a good day for him to wear long pants.

Or - how about those cargo-type pants that zip off at the knee. Not that attractive - but in this situation they make great sense. Slip the bottom half of the legs into your day pack and zip them on while in line at the Vatican. Then zip them off again when you're done.

I guess this is still one of those "gray" areas where allowing someone in could depend on who is "on guard" that day.

Midnightsun, thank you for reportig your observation last summer. Thank goodness this isn't a decision I have to make (being female and over 60). I don't do short shorts anymore.

Exofficio also makes the pants with zip off shorts and are easy to wash and don't need ironing. They are very light weight so you don't have to worry about them being too hot.

Our experience was that only small (I mean younger than 10 years old) boys were allowed in with short pants. Our boys had zip-off pants which they used - same for my husband. Women are required to cover their arms/shoulders as well. We saw people turned away.

It can be so hot and sunny in Rome that shorts really don't keep you significantly cooler.

Aside from that, the official dress code for St. Peter's, which is clearly displayed next to the "dress code police," specifies no shorts for men.

Here is a link to the poster (note the dude in purple is the man)
http://www.stpetersbasilica.org/Pics...essCode-JG.jpg

Why not a pair of cotton or linen blend pants? That is what my husband always wore on hot days. A bonus is if you go to sit somewhere that has had the sun beating on it for hours his legs would have some protection.
That type of good looking pant is also great to wear for dining on hot and humid evenings.

Why are you Americans so crazy about wearing shorts anywhere and anytime? Are you so eager to make fools of yourselves?

You don't die if you wear long pants. Business people wear dark suits every day and don't die.

BTW, when I passed 30, I stopped wearing shorts unless I am at the beach or in the wilderness.

I wouldn't recommend it. A few years ago my husband was wearing what you describe as "long shorts" and he was turned back. However right in front of us a woman with a miniskirt which showed the bottom of her underwear was let in.

My husband said it was discrimination! LOL!!!

wliwl,

I remember seeing that poster before, but forgot how to access it. Thanks.

Is that supposed to be a man (in orange) to the left of the word YES? If it is a man, then the shorts/pants are right to the knee. Do you agree?

I just don't think that shorts, particularly those which fall to or below the knee, would keep anyone that much cooler than a pair of thin cotton or linen pants. Wear pants; it's a grown-up thing. It'll be hot anyway. It just won't matter that much.

I know this post is pertaining to mens wear, but what about capris for women? If they just cover the knee will that be OK???

I'm an American who agrees that grown men look ridiculous going about in European cities in shorts. And no place is stricter than St. Peter's. Wear long pants. If not because you might not be let in otherwise, then simply because it's more respectful.

>Why are you Americans so crazy about wearing shorts anywhere and anytime?<

Because our only other choice is long denims.