Proper Vatican Attire?

Cedes · Jul 1st, 2008, 12:43 AM

For those of you who have been to Vatican City (specifically, St. Peter's/Sistine Chapel), what is the proper shoe attire? I've got the no bare shoulders no bare knees thing covered (ha ha pun totally intended), but the footwear rules aren't very clear.

I was only going to take tennis shoes & flip flops because I don't want to drag a ton of luggage with me. Are flip flops acceptable footwear?

And just for reference, do they consider capri pants to be the same thing as shorts?

Longchamp · Jul 1st, 2008, 12:44 AM

Not sure I'd want to walk around all day in flip flops, so I'll vote no on them!!

Blue824 · Jul 1st, 2008, 01:11 AM

I think you can wear flip flops... and I don't think capris count as shorts.
However, if you are vacationing and doing lots of walking, I agree that flip flops might not be the most comfortable option.

Cedes · Jul 1st, 2008, 03:17 AM

I live in flip flops 24/7 and it's usually what I wear on every vacation so I'm not worried about the comfort factor, just the etiquette stuff. :)

esiders · Jul 1st, 2008, 06:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cedes

I live in flip flops 24/7 and it's usually what I wear on every vacation so I'm not worried about the comfort factor, just the etiquette stuff. :)

Flip flops are acceptable...I walked all over Rome in my havaianas. The people at the Vatican are no joke...we saw them eject a teenager in a micro mini...she had to swap clothes with her friend to get back in (they changed outfits on the front steps of St Peter's

).

aki_sato · Jul 1st, 2008, 07:42 AM

Flip flop = havaianas no?

If it is, it is not acceptable...I went with a tour and the tour guide told one of the guy in our group that he won't be allowed inside St Peter Basilica when I went 3 weeks ago..

Cedes · Jul 1st, 2008, 08:59 AM

Hmm so it sounds like it varies between people.

esiders that's funny that they wouldn't let her in because of her skirt but let her just change right there.

Jill · Jul 1st, 2008, 09:03 AM

When i went there..I just wore a tank top and brought a cardigan with me.I usually wear comfy ballerinas though...I too live in flip flops but id prob wear closed toed shoes there.

BTBF · Jul 1st, 2008, 10:19 PM

The place will be full of tourists...nobody will look down at your shoes/flip-flops. It's best to to wear heels though, especially if you take the Scavi tour.

Carmen82 · Jul 2nd, 2008, 11:00 AM

I went there in flip flops (for me they were the most comfortable shoe to be walking around in). I think capris are fine, because you are allowed to wear skirts..as long as they aren't mini...but I would wear pants just to err on the safe side. I would hate to get all the way there just to be turned away!

litebrite · Jul 2nd, 2008, 06:20 PM

When I was there 5 yrs ago, I was in a tshirt, knee length denim skirt and flip flops.. and I had no troubles getting in.

illinirdhd · Jul 2nd, 2008, 06:39 PM

I wore capris and sandals and had no problem. You might be really hot in long pants and tennis shoes. Many of the cathedrals in Italy will give you a cover for your shoulders, but the Vatican doesn't. Jill's suggestion of just carrying a lightweight cardigan is a good one - Rome gets HOT in the summer!

brigadeiro · Jul 27th, 2008, 02:39 AM

Havaianas are fine

I wore them, but kept shoulders/knees covered.

HaydenM · Jul 27th, 2008, 04:48 AM

http://www.drivinguide.com/vatican_city_dress_code.htm

How to dress to visit the Vatican city. Touring Saint Peter's Basilica, the Sistine Chapel and Vatican Museums.
Also valid when visiting the Vatican Gardens and/or the Scavi (the excavations under St. Peter's Church.
APPROPRIATE DRESS IS A MUST!
Please be aware that there are monitors outside St. Peter's, which has a very strict dress code: no skirts above the knee, no shorts, no bare shoulders (i.e., tank tops or sleeveless blouses), and you must wear shoes. You will not be permitted inside the basilica unless you are dressed appropriately. Slacks and jeans, however, are permitted. If you are out sightseeing in shorts, miniskirts, tank tops, sleeveless blouses, etc., and wish to enter a church, you must be dressed appropriately. People who monitor visitors in churches have the right to refuse entrance if in their opinion the visitor is dressed inappropriate to enter. One way to get around this is to carry long pants and a shirt/blouse with sleeves in a bag or backpack so that when you wish to enter a church, you can slip these garments on over your inappropriate attire before you enter.

Strict dress codes are especially adhered to at St. Peter's, so I wouldn't even try to enter wearing short skirts, shorts, or sleeveless tops. You will be refused entrance. Again, no shorts, or sleeveless tops, but it’s okay to wear jeans. In case you haven't been foresighted enough to carry additional apparel with you and you happen to be at the Vatican wearing inappropriate clothes you can still buy disposable pants and/or t-shirts and scarves on sale in the souvenir shops just outside St. Peter's. In addition to all of this keep in mind that during your visit to the Vatican you'll be in a sovereign country regulated by it's own rules, where the laws of Italy or your own country do not apply! No smoking anywhere in the Vatican!

It is important to understand that the point of all this is not to get everyone to dress up like going to a wedding party, but to make people cover their sinful flesh. You can be dressed in rags and they'll let you in

Jul 1st, 2008, 07:42 AM	#6
aki_sato Stay Gold! Joined: Nov 2006 Location: Looking for happiness... Posts: 3,770	Flip flop = havaianas no? If it is, it is not acceptable...I went with a tour and the tour guide told one of the guy in our group that he won't be allowed inside St Peter Basilica when I went 3 weeks ago.. __________________ still loving Balenciaga now wishing for: 08 yellow MU 07 sienna ggh day Purse (05 Indigo 04 Eggplant 04 Seafoam)

Jul 2nd, 2008, 11:00 AM	#10
Carmen82 Member Joined: May 2007 Posts: 2,402	I went there in flip flops (for me they were the most comfortable shoe to be walking around in). I think capris are fine, because you are allowed to wear skirts..as long as they aren't mini...but I would wear pants just to err on the safe side. I would hate to get all the way there just to be turned away! __________________

Jul 2nd, 2008, 06:39 PM	#12
illinirdhd Sofa King Hooked Joined: Dec 2007 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 3,640	I wore capris and sandals and had no problem. You might be really hot in long pants and tennis shoes. Many of the cathedrals in Italy will give you a cover for your shoulders, but the Vatican doesn't. Jill's suggestion of just carrying a lightweight cardigan is a good one - Rome gets HOT in the summer! __________________

Jul 27th, 2008, 02:39 AM	#13
brigadeiro Member Joined: Apr 2007 Posts: 602	Havaianas are fine I wore them, but kept shoulders/knees covered. __________________ BRIGADEIRO's BLOG Bags I have: Louis Vuitton Epi Jasmin in Yellow Balenciaga City in Indigo Balenciaga Classic in Sky Blue Burberry Manor in fire engine red Burberry Mini Manor in trench Chloe large brown leather Bracelet bag (the original) Chloe black large Silverado Chloe Ava tote bag Zac Posen black Aurora frame bag Mulberry Joni in Pistachio Green Mulberry Elgin tote in Oak Toast large Sidecar tote in gold Carlos Falchi multicolor/multileather bag

Jul 27th, 2008, 04:48 AM	#14
HaydenM Member Joined: Feb 2007 Posts: 694	http://www.drivinguide.com/vatican_city_dress_code.htm How to dress to visit the Vatican city. Touring Saint Peter's Basilica, the Sistine Chapel and Vatican Museums. Also valid when visiting the Vatican Gardens and/or the Scavi (the excavations under St. Peter's Church. APPROPRIATE DRESS IS A MUST! Please be aware that there are monitors outside St. Peter's, which has a very strict dress code: no skirts above the knee, no shorts, no bare shoulders (i.e., tank tops or sleeveless blouses), and you must wear shoes. You will not be permitted inside the basilica unless you are dressed appropriately. Slacks and jeans, however, are permitted. If you are out sightseeing in shorts, miniskirts, tank tops, sleeveless blouses, etc., and wish to enter a church, you must be dressed appropriately. People who monitor visitors in churches have the right to refuse entrance if in their opinion the visitor is dressed inappropriate to enter. One way to get around this is to carry long pants and a shirt/blouse with sleeves in a bag or backpack so that when you wish to enter a church, you can slip these garments on over your inappropriate attire before you enter. Strict dress codes are especially adhered to at St. Peter's, so I wouldn't even try to enter wearing short skirts, shorts, or sleeveless tops. You will be refused entrance. Again, no shorts, or sleeveless tops, but it’s okay to wear jeans. In case you haven't been foresighted enough to carry additional apparel with you and you happen to be at the Vatican wearing inappropriate clothes you can still buy disposable pants and/or t-shirts and scarves on sale in the souvenir shops just outside St. Peter's. In addition to all of this keep in mind that during your visit to the Vatican you'll be in a sovereign country regulated by it's own rules, where the laws of Italy or your own country do not apply! No smoking anywhere in the Vatican! It is important to understand that the point of all this is not to get everyone to dress up like going to a wedding party, but to make people cover their sinful flesh. You can be dressed in rags and they'll let you in __________________

Jul 1st, 2008, 12:43 AM	#1
Cedes lol Joined: Apr 2006 Location: it's tropical Posts: 129	For those of you who have been to Vatican City (specifically, St. Peter's/Sistine Chapel), what is the proper shoe attire? I've got the no bare shoulders no bare knees thing covered (ha ha pun totally intended), but the footwear rules aren't very clear. I was only going to take tennis shoes & flip flops because I don't want to drag a ton of luggage with me. Are flip flops acceptable footwear? And just for reference, do they consider capri pants to be the same thing as shorts?

Jul 1st, 2008, 12:44 AM	#2
Longchamp Member Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 1,111	Not sure I'd want to walk around all day in flip flops, so I'll vote no on them!!

Jul 1st, 2008, 01:11 AM	#3
Blue824 Member Joined: Jan 2006 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 1,926	I think you can wear flip flops... and I don't think capris count as shorts. However, if you are vacationing and doing lots of walking, I agree that flip flops might not be the most comfortable option.

Jul 1st, 2008, 03:17 AM	#4
Cedes lol Joined: Apr 2006 Location: it's tropical Posts: 129	I live in flip flops 24/7 and it's usually what I wear on every vacation so I'm not worried about the comfort factor, just the etiquette stuff. :)

Jul 1st, 2008, 08:59 AM	#7
Cedes lol Joined: Apr 2006 Location: it's tropical Posts: 129	Hmm so it sounds like it varies between people. esiders that's funny that they wouldn't let her in because of her skirt but let her just change right there.

Jul 1st, 2008, 09:03 AM	#8
Jill Joined: Feb 2006 Posts: 23,539	When i went there..I just wore a tank top and brought a cardigan with me.I usually wear comfy ballerinas though...I too live in flip flops but id prob wear closed toed shoes there.

Jul 1st, 2008, 10:19 PM	#9
BTBF Member Joined: Feb 2006 Posts: 1,955	The place will be full of tourists...nobody will look down at your shoes/flip-flops. It's best to to wear heels though, especially if you take the Scavi tour.

Jul 2nd, 2008, 06:20 PM	#11
litebrite Member Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 100	When I was there 5 yrs ago, I was in a tshirt, knee length denim skirt and flip flops.. and I had no troubles getting in.