Rome - dress code?

Legacy_user

Planning to go to Italy for a week around 3rd week in Sept, 3/4 nights in Rome.

Heard rumours, that tourists have to dress smartly.Is that true?

For you ladies that have been to Rome, what sort of clothes did you wear and did you get frowned upon?

I normally wear a sleeveless t-shirt - sleeved if visiting places of religious buildings (though see others wearing sleeveless tops) adm long shorts that go on the knee.

CM66

Yes i heard there were a lot of fashion police in Rome......








In all seriousness, wear whatever you want!

SW17

The only issue would be visiting certain religious sites, in particular the Vatican and Vatican Museums. The rules there are no bare shoulders, and women should have their knees covered (not sure about shorts). For men, officially shorts are not allowed, but apparently the rule is sometimes waived in very hot weather.

The other churches are not quite as strict, but bare shoulders and short skirts not advisable. Apart from that, you only need to dress smartly if you're looking to out-style the locals

At that time it should still be warm, but not usually crazy hot.

phatbear

ScarletMarble wrote: »

Heard rumours, that tourists have to dress smartly.Is that true?

Where did you hear these rumors?

However it is true and here are the rules:

Monday: You have to wear odd socks
Tuesday: You can wear what you want apart from you must still wear one of the odd socks from monday, so you can now have a matching pair!
Wednesday: You have to wear something blue, but not to blue kinda powder blue will do or baby blue, im a man so i dont know the difference between these colours.
Thursday: You arent allowed to wear slip on footwear
Friday: You have to wear something with your name on it or in it, writing your name on the inside label with pencil will suffice.
Saturday: You must wear an item of clothing either one size to big or one size to small.
Sunday: day of rest so wear what you want as long as its black and covers the neck and ankles.

pollypenny

We've always dressed as we normally do, smart casual, apart from when we went to see Wales v Italy in rugby when we wore rugby shirts.

lovesgshp

As said above, it is pretty casual, apart from churches etc., where you do need to cover up a bit more.
You will have a good time.

Blue264

lovesgshp wrote: »

As said above, it is pretty casual, apart from churches etc., where you do need to cover up a bit more.
You will have a good time.

As above. I always carry a sarong in my handbag for when I need to cover up in a church because you can use it as a shawl or skirt.

catoutthebag

I've heard this too. If you aren't colour coordinated, there is the possibility of a 50 euro on - the - spot fine by plain clothed fashion officers. You've been warned lady :money:

lovesgshp

Make sure you do not drop any litter either, as new laws came in this month for all Italy.
http://www.thelocal.it/20151223/italy-launches-300-fines-for-tossing-cigarettes

moneyistooshorttomention

Basically - the dressing smartly comes down to the Italians being a lot smarter than British people tend to be. I had an Italian friend a while back who would dress smartly in her own country or when her parents came to visit. All decent-quality matching clothing, jewellery, full make-up.

When she was living in Britain for a while - it took her about a week to take a good look around at us and those smart clothes/jewellery/make-up just didn't put in appearance here until her parents turned up visiting. She had seen us and the way she went round here was casual/no make-up/no jewellery - as she'd decided to do the "When in Rome" and in this case she soon realised she would feel out of place dressing smartly here.

In return - I upped my game when I went visiting her back in Italy and dressed noticeably more smartly than I usually do here in Britain.

Fimbo77

catoutthebag wrote: »

I've heard this too. If you aren't colour coordinated, there is the possibility of a 50 euro on - the - spot fine by plain clothed fashion officers. You've been warned lady :money:

Not very good fashion police if they just wear ordinary plain clothes