"Covering knees" to enter churches in Europe

[Anonymous]

We will be going to Florence this summer and I've been reading that most churches will require your knees be covered to enter (no shorts/short skirts.)

I really don't want to wear long pants with the heat, and all my dresses/skirts hit just above the knee.
I've thought of bringing along a sarong or other long skirt to slip on/wrap on OVER whatever dress I'm already wearing. Yes, it will look kind of lumpy underneath, but if I'm only wearing it inside the church...and out on the street I'd have my normal dress on...

Has anyone else done something like this? Would I look really weird stepping into a big skirt (I'm thinking something like this http://www.ebay.com/itm/292049508235) out on the street?

Or what did you do? Just bring a bunch of long skirts? Swelter in long pants?

[Anonymous]

I think knee length or just above will be fine as long as the dress is not too revealing; i.e. low-cut, backless.

[Anonymous]

I think you will be fine with most knee length dresses but that skirt would be ok to keep in your purse just in case.

I wore some linen pants from JCrew that kept me cool. I kept a cardigan with me if I was wearing a sleeveless top or dress.

Do you have a general idea of what your plans are? I wore my summer dresses on days we weren't likely to go in a church or out to dinner.
Florence is so easy to walk around you probably wouldn't be terribly out of your way if you wanted to stop back to where you are staying for a quick change if your plans change.

[Anonymous]

My friend bought a rainbow flag that said "PACE" ("PEACE") and wrapped it around her like a sarong, then kept it for a souvenir. She's a practicing Catholic and a graduate of Catholic schools, but loved using the rainbow flag for it.

I'd keep a skirt in your bag.

[Anonymous]

As long as your shoulders are covered and the skirt is not too far above the knees, you will be fine.
When I went to Italy, there was one church that took this seriously and handed out wrapped skirts and shawls for the tourists to wear during the visit.

[Anonymous]

you want to think about arms and cleavage too - a tank top is not acceptable in the Vatican

[Anonymous]

I was just in Spain, and saw signs outside some of the churches indicating that your shoulders and knees should be covered. That said, I was wearing a knee-length skirt, and I just scooted it down a little on my hips so it was a little bit more modest, and that seemed fine. I would bring some light capris too, because in the bright sun it's nice to have some coverage--the sun is very direct, and you see a lot of people covering themselves in light scarves. FWIW, I also went into a cathedral in a smaller town and there was no sign (and some people in shorts inside).

[Anonymous]

I agree with the PPs that your skirt should be at or just above your knees. I carried a very thin Pashmina that I could use to cover my shoulders and I like another PPs idea that it could be wrapped around the waist for an improvised skirt if necessary.

I posted this on another thread but keep an eye on the men's shorts lengths also if you have any men in your group. When we were on a trip to Rome once my uncle (in his 60's-70's) was asked to leave a church because they thought his Bermuda shorts were too short. Even looking at the pics now I don't see the problem but it was what it was and he ended up having to wait for us outside!

[Anonymous]

I would carry a sarong and a shawl with you. That way you can cover knees and shoulders when required.

[Anonymous]

did the italy thing, a DH here. and I purchased a pair of pants with zip off legs

https://www.rei.com/rei-garage/product/116666/exofficio-amphi-convertible-pants-mens-32-inseam

worked well

I would think if you wore a skirt that might be too short, you could scootch it down in a pinch.

[Anonymous]

Do kids need to follow the same coverage rules? Long skirts for girls and trousers for boys? Not OP, but interested. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do kids need to follow the same coverage rules? Long skirts for girls and trousers for boys? Not OP, but interested. Thanks!

Yes, but doesn't have to be trousers or long skirt, just over the knee. My sons' shorts are all that long.

[Anonymous]

Just wear a lightweight skirt--easier and more comfortable than carrying a skirt to wear over shorts. Also, far more fashionable. You don't need to look like the "Ugly American". Also, you don't need to act like it. Be respectful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just wear a lightweight skirt--easier and more comfortable than carrying a skirt to wear over shorts. Also, far more fashionable. You don't need to look like the "Ugly American". Also, you don't need to act like it. Be respectful.

OP here.
I wasn't planning to wear shorts. I was planning to wear skirts and dresses...but like I said, all the ones I currently own hit just above the knee. I'm short and have short legs, so when I've tried longer skirts in the past, they look very frumpy on me, so I don't want to go out and buy a bunch of long skirts just for this trip.

Thanks for the admonishment to "be respectful." I am very respectful, which is why I have sought out this information ahead of time so I can be prepared to wear something appropriate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would carry a sarong and a shawl with you. That way you can cover knees and shoulders when required.

+1