Italy's Dress Code

Italy is loaded with some of the most beautiful churches in the world, but you'd be hard-pressed to go into any of them dressed like most Americans dress for this time of year. Here it's important to dress (1) so that you don't stand out as an obvious tourist and (2) so that you are respectful of the norms of places you'll visit.

For men, it means no shorts in the evening, and no tank tops, spaghetti straps, or bare-shoulder clothing in churches or cathedrals for men or women. When you are visiting the Vatican, or practically any other place of religious significance, you should not wear short pants or short skirts. An alternative is to bring along scarves that you can drape over your shoulders, but I do not encourage dudes to attempt this. Don't get all the way to the gates of the Vatican only to be turned away for improper wardrobes. Further reading:

• Virtual Tourist
• YourGuidetoItaly
• Slow Travel