Proper Clothing, Rome

There is a dress code if you are to visit St. Peter's Basilica. Shorts are not allowed for men or women, Tank tops, bare shoulders or short skirts are not permitted. Dress appropriately or they will turn you away from the entrance. We saw many people being turned away for improper attire.

We played it smart and I work a polo with pants and Liz wore a long sun dress with a jacket.

If you're planning on visiting any churches (including St. Peter's Basillica), make sure you dress modestly, especially women.

Bluejeans are fine and I found that no one cared if women wore shorts that were "Bermuda" length - to the knees. Just make sure your shoulders are covered so if it's a hot day, bring a scarf or shawl to throw over your shoulders. I had a friend in short shorts wrap a sarong around her hips to cover her legs and that worked fine, too. St. Peter's was actually one of the less-strict churches we visited in Italy.

Keep the modest attire guidelines in mind even in the small towns, it applies to all Catholic churches.

Try and avoid looking like an obvious tourist when in a strange city.

As a foreigner you will stick out like a sore thumb anyway and there is little you can do about that, but use discretion to try and make it less obvious, especially when you are alone and unsure of your directions!

It's always a good thing to rather be too cautious than not, because when it does happen to you, it will be unexpected, and upsetting, and might ruin your holiday!

So walk around trying to look as you know exactly where you are going... even if you dont! haha

I am not sure why people dont take the time and effort to read up on this type of thing before going to view it.

The Vatican has a certain dress code which needs to be adhered to. It's not nearly as strict as other temples I have been in.

They like you to have covered shoulders, no shorts or mini skirts.

Also no buggys/prams or daypacks.

I saw quite a few people that shouldnt have got in, but did, so I think the security has slackened the rules somewhat.

No matter what your skin tone, I would wear a hat most of the time I am outside.

The sun is very hot and with cancer scares being what they are today, one shouldn't take any chances!

A hat, sunglasses and sun cream.

ALL the time (More info in my packing list tip).

Just make sure that you have the appropriate clothing for visiting churches and cathedrals. Dress codes are usually very strict. Women must have their shoulders covered, not show cleavage and should wear skirts/shorts/pants that at least cover down to their knees. Men cannot wear singlets, but t-shirts are fine. In some places you may get away with wearing shorts, others you may be expected to wear pants. Just make sure you find out beforehand if the place you are going to visit has any dress codes to avoid trouble (or getting turned away) when you get there.

If you are coming from Europe you will surely be used to dress however you want, you guys know that Europeans may dress the most bizarre they can and no one would even notice you. If you come from some other continents, well, you can even go around naked, no one will say or do anything. Actually roman girls go around, expecially on summertime, half naked ahahah. And don't worry to wear bras not to "point" people with nipples, I think here in Rome bras are the less sold underwear. Men, please don't wear ridiculous stuff, or they may laugh at you! On beaches, topless is very very common and there are many nudist beaches.

You have probably heard about it, BUT it must be stressed if your visit wont me a disappointment.
Coming in the heat ,rembember that you cant argue with the guards at St Peters Church .
Not correctly dresssed ...bye bye .
No bare shoulders or knees for women and no shorts for men.
Normal T-shirt and jeans is fine !!!
One advice : Simple joggingtrousers are sold in the small touriststands around for Euro 5
( Aug 2003 ) and then, after your visit, you can sell them to someone in shorts for 7 :-)

In Italy, you have to be properly dressed to enter a Church. You must have your shoulders and knees covered. But you don't have to be covered from head to toe or wear dressy clothes. I wore a sleeveless dress, and put a cotton shirt over it when entering St. Peter's Basilica and the other churches. Another guy in the group was wearing a t-shirt and shorts, and put on a pair of sweatpants before entering the churches. Our group leader wore a sleeveless dress and wore a wrap over her shoulders.

Just to clarify..when people say you can't enter St. Peters with bare shoulders this actually includes the upper arm. So no vest tops or sleeveless tops are acceptable. I was wearing a vest top covered by a cardigan and the man at the door even told me to fasten my cardi! I saw people in T-shirts in there, so it seems a couple of inches coverage of the upper arm is all that's needed.

Well actually, despite what the country music song might say, it can be a problem.

To enter St. Peter's Basilica and some of the other attractions around town, you need to adhere to the following dress code:

Men: No shorts, no tank tops

Women: No short skirts, shoulders covered.

I recommmend zipper pants or a sarong.