I'm going to Rome for four days at the end of this month and would really appreciate some insight into what to wear!

This mainly concerns the dress code for churches, especially the Vatican as I'm aware it's pretty strict. I'm not religious in the slightest but have no problems with complying with it, it's just after much googling there are bits of it I'm confused by

Firstly, I have both read and heard that it's not acceptable to wear jeans into the bigger churches/museums, and especially not those in the Vatican. If this is true I really am for it because I don't own any trousers other than jeans and the jodhpurs I wear for horse riding... For what it's worth, all the jeans I do own are well fitting and hole (intentional or not) free, and I'd be wearing them with knee length, smart but practical brown leather boots. I'll definitely be wearing outfits based around that regardless.

I am aware of the "knees and shoulders covered" rule - though in January that's unlikely to be a problem - but haven't really been able to work out whether opaque black tights, worn with a modest dress that comes two inches tops above the knee, would count as breaking it or not. (I wear more dresses/skirts than I do trousers as it is - it'd be easier for me personally to pick outfits if I would be able to wear them.) I was advised by a friend to wear "something I would wear to a church service"; if I'm honest, I wouldn't think twice about wearing the dress/tights but would never wear jeans. I've never been to Italy, though!

Any advice welcome, I've just had difficulty finding a direct answer to my tights query

Contact CienPorCientoPAZ, who has been there very recently.

Here I am! I just got back on the 6th, and we went to a lot of churches and museums. I'm not sure where you heard the "no jeans" thing, but it's not true. All I brought with me were jeans, and almost everyone I saw in the churches we went to (including St. Peter's Basilica, the one in the Vatican) was wearing them as well. Obviously your knees and shoulders should be covered, but the weather's only in the upper 50s in Rome right now at the highest, so you won't be wearing anything sleeveless or short anyway. If you'd rather wear a dress or skirt with opaque tights, that's fine, but jeans are fine too.

Also, you can usually take pictures in museums-I think the only exceptions were the Uffizi and the Sistine Chapel, but everyone does it there anyway-so bring your camera!

I brought a skirt and nice shirt to wear to the vatican, and it was unnecessary. As long as you aren't wearing shorts or a mini skirt, and a tank top, you're good. Most of the churches have paper skirts or shawls if you want to go in and your dress isn't modest enough by their standards.

I think way back in the day there was a no jeans (and possibly no pants for women) rule but not anymore. I remember being really mad at my mom for making me wear long sleeves and a long skirt in the summer to see the pope outside the Vatican on Sunday (which I highly recommend doing) when no one else was and the rules didn't apply to kids anyway. I was there again in January 2009 and wore jeans. The dress code rules more apply during the summer. Also make sure to turn your phone off and if they say no pictures (like in the Sistine Chapel), don't even try. Using a mirror to look at the ceiling is also helpful. Have a great time!

Thank you all for your responses! Definitely put my mind at rest, packing shouldn't be too difficult now. I definitely won't be going sleeveless - probably won't even go without a coat and scarf outside, I'm a bit of a wimp in the cold So a yes to opaque tights as a suitable knee-cover? Just to clarify

Moonlitefairy - will definitely bear the mirror idea in mind, thank you and CienPorCiento, believe me the camera might as well already be packed I'm going with my school so lots of photo opportunities with friends!

^Yes, of course. Everything that's longer than a miniskirt is okay. Opaque tights aren't a problem. Really, they are mostly checking the crowds for tourists in shorts, bikinis and flipflops.

Things can get a bit strikter when you're trying to go to a church service - I was nearly thrown out of St. Peter once before I managed to communicate that I was there to attend the service. But as you're probably doing tourist stuff, it won't matter. Just wear normal stuff (think of "Dinner with Grandma" instead of "beach") and you'll be okay.

Pack some comfortable shoes! Rome is a place where you'll walk a lot and the ground is ancient, so pack something comfortable like sneakers. Also, the Romans tend to dress up a bit more and I always see tons of beautiful women out there, so if you might want to dress nice - but that's not necessary, just for fun. (I have a special dress style for Rome, just like I dress differently for going to the US.. )

And one last thing: Watch your stuff like a hawk. Especially while riding busses and the underground, or when at big public places (Stazione Termini! Airport!). Rome is full of pickpockets and thieves. Don't give money to anyone asking you for it, don't give the gipsys anything and watch out for the gipsy kids.

Enjoy! I'm going back to Rome to work in the Vatican (I'm a historian) in March and can't wait for it. Rome is a beautiful city, but very vibrant and alive. It has up- and downsides, beauty and disaster very close to each other and resembles history like no other place I've ever been to. So.. have a great time!

Yep, I was in the Vatican yesterday and wearing jeans, along with everyone else! It's been really cold here, so make sure you dress warm!

St Peter's Basilica was amazing for photo opportunities, you'll love it.

Glad you got your wardrobe sorted. You have a great time on your trip!!!

kk~

Thank you all, I've just got back and had an incredible time - with no wardrobe issues! Everything hurts from all the walking I did but loved every second. For a British girl the weather was ridiculously sunny and warm for January - no complaints!

I visited about 6 yrs ago while on a work trip. No dress code that I remember, just be clean, neat and nice casual clothing as you should be fine. Bring a good book....you will need it for reading while waiting in the lines!!