I have read on a couple of sites that bare shoulders (halters) and legs (shorts and mini skirts) are not allowed in churches, and promote unwanted advances or looks in
other urban places. Are jeans okay? how about cap sleeves, etc. ? do not want to be wrapped up in turtlenecks in May! Is there any "wiggle" room?

It is not that there are "unwanted advances" it is just maintaining a certain dignity and decorum when entering Italian churches that is akin to respect. Most places do require covered shoulders, so if you bring along a lightweight sweater, just put that around your shoulders. (You will need something at night when the weather cools down anyway).

The weather in May is still quite nice and not unbearable as the summer months. It is highly unlikely one would be walking around in halter tops and mini skirts yet. Jeans are fine, short sleeve shirts fine - no need for turtlenecks!

The above answer is perfectly correct.

However - if a young woman wanders around major cities in Italy dressed like a Paris Hilton commercial (revealing halter tops and bun-baring shorts) - beleive me - she will receive lots of attention - although I wouldn;t call it unwanted - or she wouldn;t dress that way.

(Europeans generally confine resort wear to resorts.)

"Are jeans okay?"
~Yes.

"how about cap sleeves?"
~Yes.

"do not want to be wrapped up in turtlenecks in May!"
~You don't have to be, just be respectful if you plan to go into any churches.

I was there in May, what a lovely time of year, enjoy! Tiff

Daisy- Jeans and cap sleeves are fine. Who ever mentioned turtlenecks anyway? As above, May is not hot enough for shorts and halter tops even is that's your usual style of dress. I prefer slacks or capris (with a simple cotton knit top) because they are much more lightweight to travel with than jeans.

TTT

I used halters and turtlenecks as
extreme examples..sorry for the confusion, just want to get a good
idea of what I should pack so I
can be comfortable, and stylish,
and "blend" thanks

BTW, nytraveler, I do not even own a
pair of "bun-baring shorts" I do however, in warmer weather, wear halters and jeans frequently

Daisy- I've found it handy to take a lightweight shawl like a pashmina or something gauzy and light that I can tuck in a shoulder bag and whip out and throw around me for modesty in a hurry. It's also nice for summer nights.

thanks ilana, that's a good idea

Daisy -

Sorry - but for me halter tops are in the same category - unless for evening wear. And have seen young women dressed in such turned away from churches in Italy - no matter what the temps.

Repeat - europeans wear resort wear (halters, shorts etc) only at resorts.

I was there this past May. Temps were in the low 80's. If I wore a sleeveless top I kept a pashmina in my bag to put on incase I went into a church. I wore capris with a knit polo most of the time.

Spare a thought for those of us who don't dare wear halters or shorts any more. Time was...Long dresses, long sleeves, cool and comfortable. And all-concealing.

I agree with Gertie3751: There is nothing cooler than a long skirt that moves with every breath of air; the same applies to light cotton blouses with long sleeves.

Even when I could still wear them, I found jeans hot and confining.

Halter tops and shorts are out in Italy, except, as stated, in resort areas.

When we were in Italy last May, I took a thin shawl that I can fold and put in my purse. It was easier and less bulky than having to carry around a sweater.

Have a great time!

Jeans are kind of heavy for warm weather wear, but probably not for Rome in May. However, jean are impractical for travel because they take up room and weight in your suitcase plus they take too long to dry in the feeble dryers one finds in Europe. Maybe a tencil equivalent?

tencil???

daisy, I've been in Italy in May twice, and both times it was unseasonably warm. Just my luck, I guess--I hate hot weather.

You don't say your age, but lots of young women in Rome dress...provocatively, sexy, etc. Not really in shorts or halters, but plenty of halter dresses. I even saw a number of those tube top dresses this past May. But again, not miniskirted, and that's the kind of thing that the young, the thin and the fashionable do best.

So I wouldn't worry too much about covering up outside of churches. The shawl or light cardigan is a good idea, though. I don't wear shorts anyway (I live in a city), but always take jeans with me.

I think Mimar meant Tencel®.

Anyway, don't worry too much about what you wear, other than dressing modestly for churches, etc., as previous posters have already mentioned. Enjoy Rome. It's truly a wonderful city.

tencel is a fabric made from wood byproduct, used for travel and covering up bulges.

If you are young and slim go for the sexy look, but be prepared for advances. Take a shawl, jacket like the others have said, it can get chilly at night.

Have fun and wiggle!