What type of Clothing to take to Italy this summer 2010
 

We will be going on a tour of Italy for 15 days this summer. What type of clothing should I bring? I have been reading to take dark colors. Does that stand true for late June? Also my husband thinks he can wear shorts all over Italy. We will be going into churches, I have told him from what I have read, he won’t get into some. Is that true? Thanks...

Dear Lovesthesun, please wear whatever you would wear at home when it's warm. Who says to take dark colours in summer? That's nonsense. Just remember that when going into a church, cover shoulders and knees. Your husband may not be allowed in, wearing shorts. Definitely not in the Vatican.
I don't like men wearing shorts in a city, but maybe that's just me.

Wear the same as you wear in Chicago or Charlotte.

Italy in summer - my husband wears very light weight pants - the kind with lots of pockets. He has a couple pairs that zip off to be shorts. Get them at LL Bean or Eastern Mt Sports or the like. He almost never zips the bottoms off and the kind we get it's hard to tell they aren't regular slacks.

I wear mostly skirts - either just above or just below the knee and that's usually ok in churches. I wear tank tops but carry a very light weight scarf to throw over my shoulders for churches. I take one or two pair of think cotton slacks, the kind that can be rolled up to be capri length. I bring at least one think cardigan sweater as it does get cool on breezy evenings.

I take a mix of colors. Those who say dark are thinking that they may be able to be worn multiple times without washing. I love white but it gets dirty really fast.

I don't know why when I typed the word "thin" it kept coming out "think". Obviously I wasn't thinking - or proof reading.

I think a lot of guidebooks and websites suggest neutral colors, not necessarily dark. I think the main point is that bright orange jackets scream "tourist!" ... But, I think anyone walking around taking pictures of landmarks and looking lost screams tourist anyways :) As isabel says, dark colors stay more clean-looking. So it kind of depends how many outfits you plan on packing (and therefore, how many times you plan to re-wear outfits).

I traveled throughout Italy last summer and have come to this conclusion: light colored linen material.

A full length linen pant is way better than 100% cotton capri/shorts.

Just remember: summer in Italy is HOT.

At the very least, when I travel in the summer, you will find only linen cloth (pants and shirts) in my suitcase.

They are simply the best for the following reasons:
1. good aeration: cooler
2. lighter
3. dry fast

A grown man in shorts will not be allowed into the Vatican and a number of other major churches. And even if there is no guard at the door, he may be subject to comments from locals - who regard that type of attire as disrespectful to their religion.

Suggest he get used to wearing long pants except at resorts - or decide not to visit churces or nicer restaurants.

I agree. Bring what you are comfortable in. I bring colors that will mix and match so I can pack light. I am comfortable in capris. I usually bring black, navy, grey or a dark beige. They mix and match with tops easily and are easier to keep clean. Your husband will definitely need long pants at the Vatican and some other churches.

Definitely light colors--just as you would here when it is hot and it will be hot.

I was so glad to have my shorts. In that heat, I couldn't care less what someone else thought of me. I just wanted to be as comfortable as possible and enjoy my trip.

I find that linen shift type dresses, sleeveless, are very cool and can be rolled up very small to pack and topped with linen unstructured shirts/jackets to feel covered up but stay cool. I know most women prefer pants these days but for cool dresses are the best for me. but the point is to be comfortable but put together looking, IMO.
I hope your husband listens !

My advice is very similar:

- Lightweight, non wrinkling dresses are most comfortable for me.
- I dressed up my daytime dresses for evening by adding a sweater and/or scarf, plus leggings underneath. Plus I had one necklace to wear at night. It ended up looking like a whole new outfit.

Summer essentials: Sun hat and umbrella. These were priceless when doing outdoor touristy things.

Have a wonderful trip!!

You can't wear shorts in the Vatican and various churches, but they are fine everywhere else. For dinner, you'll fit in better with long pants.

They are going to know your a tourist regardless of what you wear. Believe me, they don't really care. The dark color advice is nonsense. It's going to be hot and very humid. Be as comfortable as you can be.

We spent three weeks in churches last summer in Italy. We wore long pants to the Vatican and shorts everywhere else. As did at least half the people in each church.

I have always felt like I am wearing a "dishrag" when I wear linen that needs ironing...I am not comfortable with that look...no matter what and I refuse to iron on a trip.

And aren't we all tourists here? Is there something wrong with that?

I have always found that wearing the clothes I love at home, is the best thing to do in Europe. With the global economy, I think people look more similar than differently dressed.

From a practical point of view, I prefer darker bottoms...just don't show dirt as quickly.

There will be men in shorts in Italy--some Europeans, some not...but in the cities, not so frequently. The zip off/on pants are great in case long pants are required.

Just my personal hang-up, but I don't like wearing shorts when I'm taking public transit a lot -- sticking to seats, etc. - ick!
But that's just me.

I just read a post on another travel forum in which the writer mentioned that her teenage son was turned away from the Vatican
for wearing an Iron Maiden T-shirt.

I would wear what ever you wear at home when it is hot in the summer - I too read all that about no shorts- and men should wear pants blah blah blah.... but everyone is wearing shorts in churchs out to dinner etc. Just like here if you are going somewhere more fomal (Vadican - formal dinner)you'd wear pants. We never had any problems or worries about our attire. As far as linen goes who wears that anymore you will look like a wrinkly mess all day/night. Go shop at "Travel Smith" if you want special travel clothes and pants that zip to shorts etc, as well as things that won't wrinkle. Have fun and don't worry so much about clothes.

The Italians wear a very thin linen, much thinner than I usually see here in the states.

Some churches are more strict than others. I've seen men in shorts turned away at the Vatican (younger boys were allowed with long shorts to the knee) and in Assisi. If your husband is fine with waiting outside while others tour, then he can wear shorts.

I don't like dresses when it's really hot and you are perspiring a lot. It just makes your legs stick together where pants/capris tend to wick the moisture away.

There are a lot of linen or silk blends that are very lightweight and wrinkles can be removed easily in a steamy shower. Look much nicer than jeans (too hot) or shorts (often too bare) on adults in a city.

light and white.

Italy is very hot in summmer.