What to wear in Venice?

fairy_lights

I'm going to Venice for a long weekend in a few weeks time and have started to have a bit of a panic that I've got nothing appropriate to wear :eek:
Not having had much of a summer in this country this year, and working in a cold office and completely missing any nice weather we have had means that I don't really have any hot weather clothing. So I need to get a few cheap bits and pieces online but have read conflicting opinions about shorts - I've heard that you can't enter any churches unless your knees and shoulders are covered up, is this true? And if so, would my boyfriend be ok wearing longer knee length shorts?

Pollycat

Whenever I've visited churches in Greece or temples in India/Bali etc, I always wear a long dress and take a lightweight blouse to cover up my shoulders.
OH would wear crop trousers below the knee and a short sleeved shirt.

We just feel it's being respectrful to their customs.

Why not look for stuff in charity shops, you can get some really good bargains.

Grumpelstiltskin

No 1 for Venice is comfortable shoes, you are up and down steps to cross the bridges constantly.


Nothing to stop you wearing a cami but carry either a scarf or short sleeve blouse to cover your shoulders.

Andypandyboy

I go to Venice a lot. August can be bakingly hot, I was there in August two years ago and it was the hottest I have ever known it to be. So obviously you want to be comfortable. I agree, comfortable shoes are no 1 priority.

Venice is a city and tbh few people wear beach attire. So you won't see many people in short shorts. Linen pants, capris, floaty skirts seem the norm and knee length shorts for men. It is frowned on to enter churches with bare shoulders, so if you are wearing a strappy top throw a scarf over it or just wear short/cap sleeves. I would advise booking online to see sights such as St Marks/Doges Palace in advance and buying Vaporetto tickets in advance too if possible. At the height of summer the queues are huge and with tickets you bypass them.

Have a fantastic time.

peachyprice

Daisy Dukes are a no no, but who would wear them in a city anyway? Knee length shorts/skirts/dresses are fine, as are strappy tops as long as you have a cardi/pashmina to cover your shoulders/decolletage to go into churches. I find those little short sleeve cotton cardies very useful.

fairy_lights

Thanks everyone, I've found a couple of midi-dresses online that will cover my knees - it's surprisingly difficult to find mid-length skirts and dresses that aren't ridiculously tight or made from sweaty polyester type fabrics. I've got lots of light weight cardigans I can take in case I need to cover up and I'm sorted for shoes - I've got a pair of ballet style crocs which are incredibly comfortable, if a bit odd looking

jonny_power

make sure you head over to the lido. not only is there a beach but also it's a really nice and more relaxed place to enjoy a meal or drink. i got to venice regularly with work and stay on the lido, it's only 10 mins by vaparetto to Venice.

Venice isn't the kind of place to be scruffy, but in the summer it can be really hot. a scarf or cardie would be fine. floaty dresses and comfortable footwear are essential.

martindow

In Italy churches in tourist areas usually have a basket at the entrance with shawls you can wrap around your shoulders to avoid shocking the devout. You don't need to carry your own.

pattycake

I was in Venice last week and it was incredibly hot and crowded. Everyone was wearing shorts. I wore knee length shorts and a light cotton sleeveless top. I was melting.

The main item of clothing which was essential was a hat. The temperature was high 30s in the shade.

Plus take plenty of euros. Very expensive.

labp04

Venice is great! A word of caution is to remember that it is a city and abounds with thieves of all sorts so some secure way of carrying cash and cards etc is a must. Enjoy!