Wearing short-ish dresses or skirts when visiting Italy?

Makrame

I am planning my travel wardrobe capsule for visiting Italy for a week (going to a conference, then spending a few days in Milan/Venice/Florence). Really excited about the trip! I am trying to pack light so I figured that packable, lightweight dresses would be perfect. I have this dress http://www.titlenine.com/produ.....kwd=amelia and just ordered this dress http://www.6pm.com/horny-toad-rosalinda-dress . I think that both of them will be a couple of inches above the knee on me. I am planning on wearing tights and flats or mid-calf boots with them since I'll be visiting in late October-early November. However, it just occurred to me that most tour guides advise to wear longer skirts (below the knee) when visiting churches in Italy, and even when walking around as a tourist. Does anyone have any experience or opinions on this? I might just carry a below-the-knee knit skirt in my bag just in case I have to "cover up" when entering a church.

14 years ago

Dressing

8 replies

Latest reply was from Saretta

DressLover

Veteran

Italian men are VERY friendly if you get my drift, especially to tourists with light hair and short skirts. If unwanted attention bothers you, this is definitely something to consider.

14 years ago

Barbara

Veteran

Hey Makrame.

I lived in Europe for 12 years and traveled extensively - I could write a travel guide!

Knee length is as short as I would go for daywear. Anything shorter is an attention-getter, as DressLover mentioned. And not the GOOD kind.

When visiting ANY church or cathedral, the more covered, the better. The locals view this as a sign of respect. No bare shoulders - wear a scarf or shrug to cover.

Pack and enjoy your shorter dresses and skirts for nights out. In Italy, everyone is impeccably groomed, so make sure your outfit, AND hair/makeup are perfect. Believe me, they will notice if it's not!

14 years ago

Makrame

Veteran

Thanks, DressLover and Barbara! I have dark hair and will be traveling with my husband so hopefully unwanted attention will not be much of a problem. But it looks like St. Mark's Cathedral in Venice, which we are planning on visiting, is one of the places where "fashion police" actually stops women wearing above-the-knee skirts. Looks like I'll have to pack jeans and/or longer skirts instead of shorter dresses, at least for sightseeing.

Looking at the street photos from Angie's trip to Milan last year I don't see too many short skirts either but lots of skinny jeans.

14 years ago

Barbara

Veteran

Makrame, EVERYONE in Europe wears modern jeans. I usually travel in jeans and always take an extra pair. I was recently in Milan, and saw LOTS of skinnies.

Don't forget to bring a scarf or two. Italian women wouldn't dream of leaving the house without a beautiful scarf, perfectly wrapped in a Euro knot.

14 years ago

bella

(website)

Veteran

My impression was that the fashion police is more concerned about bare shoulder/cleavage than bare legs. Both dresses that you posted seem long enough to me unless you are exceptionally tall.

14 years ago

Anonymous

I remember signs outside some cathedrals showing the outline of a person and indicating what needed to be covered in order to enter. Men were not allowed in wearing shorts or bare arms either. To be safe I'd go with at least knee length. At St. Peter's in Rome I saw a very unhappy young man accosted by the fashion police when he tried to enter in his cargo shorts.

14 years ago

Makrame

Veteran

Yes, I read on a few websites that skirts absolutely have to cover the knees when visiting some of the bigger churches like St Mark's in Venice.

The dress I just ordered from 6pm came in today, and it just covers my kneecap but the other dress, which is almost identical, is a couple of inches above the knee. So I think once the new dress has been washed and shrinks a little, both will be a bit too short.

I already have my skinnies and scarves on the packing list, Barbara. Good to hear I am on the right track there. My usual travel conundrum is that normally I wear bootcut or trouser jeans with wedge heels, and even moderate heels are not really practical for many hours of walking. So when switching to flat or lower-heeled shoes for travel, it's a bit of a challenge to pick out appropriate length pants or jeans.

I am planning to take some skinnies with flats and perhaps one pair of boots in case it gets really rainy.

And I love these pictures of street fashion. http://www.elle.com/Fashion/St.....#mode=base

14 years ago

Saretta

(website)

Active Member

Hi Makrame! I live in Italy and have done lots of sightseeing and church-visiting. I would say that both of the dresses shown in the photos are of acceptable length for visiting churches. The second one looks rather low-cut for a church, but you could remedy with a camisole underneath and/or a cardigan or jacket on top. You could take the same approach below by wearing thick tights or leggings.

Keep in mind that it will be cool/chilly in Rome in Oct/Nov. Even if the average temps you can find on-line for that season may not seem cold to you, realise that it is damp in Italy - you can freeze even when the temperature is not all that low. At that time of year I have pulled out the boots and winter coat.

I would advise you bring layers, those dresses look light light/medium weight cotton and will give you little warmth. Bring some lightweight wool layers and scarves to keep out the chill and keep you "decent" for you church visiting. My mother always marvels at the very thin wool sweaters you can get here. She says she can't find them in the US, so...perhaps an excuse for shopping?!

14 years ago

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