How do people dress in Italy, and other questions...?

Question

-i heard they are very formal. i know that for entering cathedrals one must cover the knees and shoulders, but for everyday wear, could i wear a sundress with bare shoulders? some minimal cleavage? i want to be respectful but look nice. what about jeans and t shirts.

plus, are dressy clothes only for night?

-do men really pinch your butt if you dress different?

-are pickpockets prevalent?

i have many questions i'll come back with more

thanks for your help

Answer 1

My dear, maybe you have watched too many mafia movies, lets get real, in Italy people dress just like everywhere in Europe but with more "class".  

No men will come and pinch your butt regardless if you are dressed or not differently.

Pickpockets can be found in the over croweded buses or in the metro, but if you use your common sense it should be ok

Of course it would be better if you do not carry gold/diamonds rings etc. openly, but as other have said this is common sense behaviour when in a foreign place.

Coming back to the dress code, in order to give you advice it would be better to know when are you planning to visit Italy, is it for the summer holiday or you are planning to live there.

Your age is also another element to consider

Of course if you visit a church you cannot go n with a hot pant or just with a top bra, since it is a cult place, but you can go with sandals.

Jeans (low waist) and half top are a must for teenages

Dress cloths are used if you go to parties or to the theatre otherwise you just dress as you like

Advise: one thing that most italians dislike is the fact that anglosaxson turists when come here always wear white dress with white shoes, please if you can avoid it, try to bring some color with you

Good luck

Answer 2

You can dress as you want in Italy, even like a clown, they wont bother you....if you like...maybe a pink clown...

anyway if you got a different style you can be very casual with trainers and sportiv clothes or be elegant or with short skirt and both shoulders and knees uncovered..about the church, and that is true in every 'not wierd one' nation,  you have to dress in a proper way and not go there as you are on the beach;

men wont pinch your butt ever, because you are just one of the millions women walking in Italy and maybe a 'no worth one' as well...and they do with their women that kind of act, not with some wierd stuff comes from wherever abroad....remember that italian men are very choosy and they could laugh if you dress in a ridiculos way (like if you are fat and you go with bared belly) they consider that ridiculos and will take a p**s of you more likely than pinch some cellulite bottom

About the pickpockets what that s got to do with dresses? you can find some pickpockets in the biggest cities, most of the time are strangers, so be careful when you are in some crowded big area like everywhere in the world...the smalliest cities and places are far to be full of pickpockets....enjoy ...

Answer 3

Teenagers dress just as they do in the States... You may see women in fur coats at the markets on cold days. Italy is a country of contrasts.

Generally speaking Italians dress more fashionable than Americans. They are keen on accessories. This means a woman will wear a scarf, match the bag and shoes, wear sunglasses and use jewelery. Men may wear jeans but will also have a button down shirt, nice tie and use a sports blazer. You won't catch an Italian with flip flops on in the city. Or with gym shorts and a wrinkled t-shirt at the cafè.

Back to you.... you can wear the sun dress but keep a scarf in your bag. In any case, it may be cool in doors. Yes, you can wear jeans and a T but use make up, wear open back pumps, make sure you have a bag....

Men don't pinch women... If you dress different everyone will look at you. Why don't you take the time to buy some clothes when you go to Italy?

Pickpockets are always looking for an easy target. This is true in NYC, L.A. and in Rome & Venice. Be smart and leave your hotel with little cash and only one cc.... and don't walk around with your head in the air.

Answer 4

hello, I am Italian and it is not absolutely true the one which you say! perhaps we dress ourselves fashionable, we dress ourselves also too much we unglue to you! nobody will misuse you sexually! we are not in Afghanistan! Italy is a civil country!

ciao! ♀

Answer 5

Dress in Italy like you dress in your country there is no difference

Men pinch your butt even if you wear a long black jacket a long skirt

pickpockets are every where on buses,shops, streets e be careful is you wear gold like nickles or rings.

Answer 6

ok, I answer questions one at time...

1) formal? yes for churches but no for others....I live in Roma, in any given time you see short skirts and showing much b*****s of women going to work in bank!! Italia is very, ahh (can not think of word), contrasting in appearance? sorry, that may not make since...you wear what you want...no one will take offence. dress like you would at home and all is fine.

2) some men do, not majority. the men that would pinch butts are the greasy men that lurk in alley ways, which you want to stay away from. Italian men are (in general) respectful of women....they make compliments, but is all harmless.

3) if use common sense, you will have no troubles of pick pockets. one of my good friends (she is from USA) when first came here was worried of the pickpockets....she was careful and aware of her surroundings, so had no problems! do not carry a purse that doesn't close and put nothing in loose pockets.

hope this helps some....good luck! you will have fun! o, sorry for my english...is not so good.

edit: MuNcH...you are annoying and rude...girl did not say at point in question she is from America...you just assume? why? and i do not think she meant to insult, but you did by calling her idiot...be nice!!

edit: ah, ok...you erase idiot part. thank you

Answer 7

depends where your going,  just dress not to formal,  they dress just like we would dress they tend to wear heavy cloths,  pick pockets are not bad in most cities just keep your guard up.  rome has to be the worst.  never keep anything in your back pocket.  get a passport thing to hang around your neck and wear a jacket to conseal it.  watch they sometimes slash backpacks and be aware of people who pretend to need help with a baby.

Answer 8

One of the main attractions in Rome is Vatican City. If intending to visit during summer months (May - Sept), make sure you carry a lite t-shirt and pair of track pants or lite trousers in backpack so you can pull over shorts or vest before entering. Vests and shorts aren't considered appropriate attire for entering The Vatican. Just make sure that you have the appropriate clothing for visiting churches and cathedrals. Dress codes are usually very strict & make sure you find out beforehand if the place you are going to visit has any dress codes to avoid trouble (or getting turned away) when you visit Italy.

Btw, Italian guys will just look at pretty girls or if you wear clothes differently but they don't pinch you at the butt. lol.

(--,)

Answer 9

You will definitely be welcomed with open arms to Italian men if you show some cleavage. Pinches/cat calls, they are an aggressive lot. But if you can put up with it, then go get 'em. And yes, beware of pickpockets.

Answer 10

i dont know why there is this wrong idea abt Italy

I mean it is just respectful if you enter in a Church to be dressed properly meaning not to provocative (short skirts, or bare shoulders).

Obvioulsly jeans are ok.

No man dont pinch yr butt any more than anywhere in the world.Man are man all over.

Answer 11

why you in america wear under wear entering churches???

Look that italy has thousands years of civilazation?

why do you  think that the men pinch butts?????

in italy is illegal pinch butt  of women , its considered as a sexual abuse, there is a law that estabilished it

Answer 12

most teens dress like us. but the thing is its always ok for them to dress classy. for the most part they are very aware of how they dress and most of them dress very nice.  the adults are almost always dressed classy, if you are in the city.

Answer 13

hi...

I'm Italian and jeans and tshirts it's ok..don't worry!!!!

about pinch your butt...h**l no... nobody do it (it's called sexual molest!!!)... i don't know why there is this stereotype...

about  pickpockets yes..pay a lot of attention specially to small gypsy babies...they have great small and fast hands!! don't put your wallet in the back of your bag..