Italy Is Cracking Down On Dress Codes. Here Are The Clothing Rules You Need To Follow

If you want to visit some of Italy’s stellar attractions – the Pantheon, St Peter’s Basilica, Florence’s Duomo – you’ll need to be dressed appropriately.

As religious sites, there are strict rules surrounding clothing and covering up.

While these regulations are long-standing, some communities in Italy have also recently introduced strict dress codes when walking around town.

Here’s everything you need to know about what to wear as a tourist in Italy.

What to wear to visit churches in Italy

Many of Italy’s top attractions are churches, cathedrals or religious complexes.

If you want to ensure you’re not turned away at the entrance, you must follow certain clothing rules.

Often, a sign outside indicates what you can and can’t wear. It is forbidden for both men and women to enter with uncovered shoulders, midriffs or knees.

That means no spaghetti straps, sleeveless tops, crop tops, shorts, or above-the-knee dresses.

Some attractions may offer shawls or cover-ups if you are dressed inappropriately, but others may turn you away at the door.

Earlier this month, an Australian traveler posted on TikTok about wearing an overly revealing outfit when in Rome.

The 26-year-old’s white dress was too short and too low cut, meaning she was barred from entering the Vatican, the Pantheon and the Museum of the Dead.

In less-touristy religious sites like parish churches, there may not be any staff member enforcing dress codes but, to be respectful, you should follow the general rules.

Beachwear banned from Italian towns

Several Italian destinations have also cracked down on how tourists dress when wandering around town.

Last year, the mayor of the coastal town of Sorrento banned walking around the center in swimwear.

"This behavior can become a cause for unease and discomfort for both Sorrento residents and tourists," Massimo Coppola wrote in a Facebook post.

“In this way, we want to protect and improve the city's liveability, quality of life and the decorum inside the city center and public spaces."

The offense now carries a fine of up to €500 ($546).

Lipari, the largest of Sicily’s Aeolian islands, has a similar rule. Since 2013, wearing swimming costumes or flip-flops could land you a fine of up to €500 ($546).

In Venice, sightseeing in swimwear or bare-chested can also result in a fine of up to €500 ($546).

By Rebecca Ann Hughes for https://www.forbes.com/