Question about american girls in Italy/what to wear?

Question

I'm going with my (Catholic) school this summer for two weeks to Italy and Greece. There will basically be about 25 16-17yr old girls and maybe about 10 guys. I was real excitied until the teachers that are going with us are now telling us that we can't wear shorts, mini-skirts, sleeveless tops or open-toed shoes! Its not like i dress like a w***e, but i want to be able to wear something thats cute and isn't too hot. When I talked to them, they were saying that this is all done for our safety and that basically a group of blond American tourist girls will be attacked if we don't wear clothes head to toe. they are saying that we don't understand mediterraen men and that Italians never wear shorts or tanks...only to the beach.

can you please tell me if this is true, and if not what I can do to convience my teachers otherwise

Answer 1

As an American living in Rome, all I have to say is make sure you listen to the advice of your teachers. They are not trying to put a crimp in your style, just trying to look out for the safety of the group. While they might be over-exaggerating about Italians never wearing these things, they are not exaggerating about how Italian men act toward women who are showing a bit of skin. It draws lots of comments, the occasional feelup, and in some cases even more difficult problems (rape, kidnapping and selling into prostitution - of course these are extreme and God forbid it happen to your group, but it does happen). Here they really like blonds because most of the women here are dark haired.

Since your class will be visiting churches, most likely, you will also need to adhere to the dress code for visiting them. If you are not wearing something which goes past the knees or which covers your shoulders, you won't be able to get into St. Peter's and some of the other places you will want to visit (that goes for guys too).

My recommendation, is that you wear short sleeved shirts and bring a light-fabric long sleeve shirt for visiting the holy places. You will need the long sleeve shirt as these places are normally cooler due to the huge ammounts of stone and marbel and limited sunlight. Try to avoid anything skin tight for the above mentioned reasons.

Ask your teachers about those pants that have the zippers in the legs for becoming shorts. The shorts they become are generally long enough not to draw too much attention and you could easily zip the longer parts of the legs back on for visiting churches. My other recommendation would be a nice white skirt that goes past the knees. The white will reflect the sun, and, being a skirt, not be too hot like pants.

I think if you show your teachers that you respect what they have said and are not looking to dress provocatively, then they might be more willing to ease up the restriction.

In any event, you are very lucky to be going on this trip. I hope you have fun and learn a lot.

Answer 2

I am assuming that because you are going with a Catholic school then you will be visiting a lot of basilicas.  Many of them do not allow you to wear shorts or tanks inside.  I didn't see anything posted about mini skirts.

Realistically, you will be more comfortable wearing sneakers.  The miles that you will walk is unimaginable.  The same with skirts, you will just be more comfortable in capri's and T-shirts.  

I don't know how much freedom you will have, but the only time that you should wear a skirt, dress, open toed shoes, etc. is for dinner, which is generally about 9 pm.  

If I were you  I would pack as if I were going on a hike every single day, and have a few nicer outfits just for dinners.

Have fun!  And don't worry about what you are going to wear.  Worry about having enough time to see all you can and take enough pictures.

Answer 3

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.

(--,)

Answer 4

I'm writing from Italy. To part the dresses in order to visit the churches, dressed as you want, no Italian will attack to you if you will carry shorts or sandals, and then this year will be MUCH warmth here! Good travel! if it passes from Ravenna, write me...

Annalisa

Answer 5

hahah thats the funniest thing ever...No that is def. not true!!! I mean italian guys are very flirty but nothing serious. the only time you need to cover up is when your going or visiting a church

Answer 6

it s absolutely false!

i live in milano (beach is so far), i wear whole summer just shorts, mini shorts, sleeveless tops and open toed shoes and tanks...mediterranean men are not maniacs, they just look at pretty girls, no attack.

if u wear like u said i think everybody ll look at u like if u come from mars

in church you can't wear like i told you, it s normal