Although summer in Italy can be rather hot, you'll rarely see Italian women wearing shorts. The best way to fit in would be to stay away from revealing too much skin, but still look stylish at the same time- try a flowy skirt instead. But if you just can't part with your shorts, save them as a beach cover up.
I saw plenty of Italian men on the Metro, at the market, going out to eat, all wearing shorts. You can wear shorts in Cathedrals, they just have to cover your knees. Below is a sign going into a cathedral. It is very clear you can wear shorts, they just have to cover the knees.
My number one tip for traveling to Italy in Summer is linen. Linen is your best friend and it's what all the Italians are wearing. I saw so many Italian women in long, flowy linen dresses and men in linen shirts and even linen trousers.
You won't see a lot of Roman women wearing shorts in the city–at the beach yes, in Rome itself no–but so many tourists will be wearing shorts in Rome during the summer that if you absolutely want to bring a pair or two, you won't stick out like a sore thumb. Personally, I very rarely, if ever, wear shorts in Rome.
As a general rule, Italian men tend to wear neutral colors such as beige, white and navy blue during the summer months. These colors are neat and elegant and instantly give you a classic Italian look.
If you're looking to adapt to the Italian dress code, athletic shorts won't make the cut. Italian men would prefer to dress fairly business casual for their day-to-day activities. But if you can't live without the comfort of your favorite shorts, bring them to the beach instead.
Visitors are prohibited from wearing sleeveless tops, and low-cut shirts. Shorts or bottoms that end above the knee: Women, If you are wearing a skirt, dress, or pair of shorts then make sure they end below the knee at least. Men can wear shorts, as long as they level at the knee.
Can you wear shorts in Europe? Yes, you can. However, most Europeans only wear them when on vacation and in more outdoorsy settings, on the beach, or while sightseeing in more rural areas. Most Europeans would not wear them when going out for dinner, inner-city sightseeing, or during city tours, wine tastings etc.
In Italy, we do not wear sneakers in the office but we do wear them if we travel, if we are sightseeing and in any informal situation. Do not go for a less comfortable shoe out of this misconception, sneakers are perfect for Italy (see below for tips on stylish ones).
Are jeans appropriate to wear in Italy? While Europeans tend to dress up more than Americans, you still can wear jeans in Italy. However, avoid acid wash and extremely distressed denim and opt for medium-dark blues and blacks.
To dress in Italy, opt for clothes with clean lines that fit you well, like button-down shirts for men and capri pants for women. Additionally, choose classy shoes such as boots or ballet flats, since Italians generally frown on wearing things like flip flops in public.
There are typically no dress codes for museums in Italy.
In Italy, it matters what we wear, there is a dress code for visiting the church. It is forbidden to enter the church (chiesa) wearing shorts or skirts, sleeveless tops, tank tops,spaghetti straps, and uncovered shirts on your knees. Some churches have a dress code sign on the door, while others do not.
But there is one thing that most Parisian women don't wear often: shorts. I'm not saying to not wear shorts, and people visiting from around the world in the touristy areas will wear whatever, but if blending in is your goal, opt for sundresses and skirts over shorts to stay cool.
Shorts, especially athletic shorts, should never be worn in public under any other circumstances. Do not wear shorts to work. Never wear shorts to dinner. PLEASE don't wear shorts on a date (unless it's one of the above scenarios).
24. Walk around shirtless or in your swimwear in any metropolitan area. This state of dress is strictly restricted to the beach or lido. This is especially true in Sorrento, where you could be fined up to €500 for breaching the dress code.
In general, Italian men favor fabrics like cotton and linen when it comes to shirts. Fitted is always best; shirts should be close to the body but not too tight. Jacket-wise, a blazer is one of the best things to wear if you don't want to feel out of place.
Do men wear shorts in Paris? The answer is yes, IF your knees are visible or just slightly covered if standing still. Shorts that go below the knees are a big faux pas in Paris and should be avoided. Shorts too short are not nice to see either.
Avoid shoes made of light-colored suede, shoes with smooth/slippery soles, shoes you haven't worn in, sandals that are close to the ground with no front lip, shoes that you will only wear once on the trip. My Go-To Shoes for Italy Travel are sneakers from New Balance and sandals from Birkenstock.
Many Italians wear fanny packs/ satchels everyday. You can easily store your phone, wallet, passport, and other small items while traveling around. I recommend men to purchase a fanny pack or satchel as it provides more security than simply keeping your wallet in your pocket.
Skinny jeans or capri trousers are stylish spring options for women. But remember, Italians tend to go high-end even with their denim - so keep 'em rip-free! Men should typically avoid anything they might wear to the beach, gym, or football game, and instead opt for stylish loose linens or fitted chinos.