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Original poster

Dress code vatican rome

46 replies

Misthios · 19/05/2024 10:05

Having a bit of a battle with teenage DD. We are going to Rome soon and have a tour booked of the Vatican museums, also intending seeing St Peter's Square and the Basilica. Have read online that the dress code (knee length trousers/skirt and no bare shoulders, no cleavage, no backless) is strictly enforced. DD of course thinks this is completely unreasonable and doesn't see why she has to pack a pair of jeans or something as "they won't enforce it anyway".

My point of view is that it's not worth the risk of being refused admission for want of a non-strappy top and a pair of jeans. Anyone been recently and can advise?

OP posts:
Musicaltheatremum · 19/05/2024 10:13

They did enforce it when I went several years ago. She could take a wrap to wrap around her waist as she goes in and wear a t shirt.

lucasnorth · 19/05/2024 10:16

We were there last summer. They do enforce it strictly and were handing out disposable blankets for people to wrap themselves in. Perhaps the thought of having to go around like that will persuade her?!

NashvilleQueen · 19/05/2024 10:23

Can you take a lightweight pair of wide leg trousers/harem pants etc. it's worth seeing because it's beautiful so personally I'd make the effort. It doesn't have to be jeans.

milkysmum · 19/05/2024 10:24

Yes from what I remember when I went definitely enforced. I wore longer linen trousers ( would have been way to hot for jeans) and a very thin long sleeved blouse to put over my vest top. As another poster has mentioned they were giving out shawls/ blankets to anyone in strappy tops.

NashvilleQueen · 19/05/2024 10:24

And if something lightweight she can just take it off again as soon as you're done.

RainbowZebraWarrior · 19/05/2024 10:25

I took a large pashmina. It was roasting hot in July when I went. I had three quarter length trousers and a strappy vest top on. Wrapped the lightweight, but large pashmina around me. Job was a good un.

TheFraud · 19/05/2024 10:27

They do enforce it. I wore linen trousers and a vest top that day but brought a lightweight shirt to put on for Vatican City. If it’s hot, you’ll need a cover up anyway.

ditalini · 19/05/2024 10:28

Yes it's enforced. They have a pile of blue wraps for you to cover yourself with if you want to get in, or there's loads of vendors selling scarves.

If she wants to choose what she wears rather than look like she's been caught out with something that looks like a flag tied around her then now's her chance.

cherryassam · 19/05/2024 10:29

They will enforce it, but that doesn’t mean it has to be a pair of jeans.

TinyYellow · 19/05/2024 10:32

They do enforce it. The pashmina sellers on the street outside must make a lot of profit from all the people that forgot or didn’t think
it would be enforced.

I wouldn’t be wearing jeans in a Rome summer either though. Get one of those long stretchy skirts from primark that she can just shove on while waiting in the queue over the top of whatever she chooses to wear. It can be taken off as soon as the visit is finished.

Original poster
Misthios · 19/05/2024 10:32

Well exactly - we told her that DH and I were once in Cyprus and went to see some famous painted monastry, we had read in advance that you needed long trousers so had packed some, there were vendors outside "renting" the most hideous trousers and clearly not washing them between uses. Yuk.

She has plenty of leggings, longer skirts, t-shirts and tops which cover her shoulders. In hot weather she just prefers the strappy ones. Don't think she'll be up for a scarf wrapped round her so despite the scowls and teenage rants about policing what people wear I will make sure she packs appropriately.

OP posts:
Original poster
Misthios · 19/05/2024 10:32

I did also suggest she could borrow something of mine, and you can imagine how well that went down.

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ANiceBigCupOfTea · 19/05/2024 10:34

A maxi dress with a shawl/wrap is what I used when I went around the Vatican at 19.

SudExpress · 19/05/2024 10:37

I live in Italy.

It will be enforced not only in St. Peter's and the Sistine Chapel (so, part of the Vatican Museum) but any other tourist trail religious site.

At St Peter's anyone not respecting the dress code will be given a shawl thingy as they enter. (No charge, so there is no need to buy anything) I can't remember if they're readily available in other famous churches- probably.

If she doesn't want to comply, she could wait outside. She certainly won't have the option not to!

reluctantbrit · 19/05/2024 10:37

It may not just the Vatican, it could mean she has the same problem in other churches in Rome. We definitely had it in Cyprus and Spain.

Just get her to take a thin wrap or tell her that it is more being an adult to respect the culture of the place you are visiting.

Original poster
Misthios · 19/05/2024 10:42

I don't think we we will going into any other churches but yes, point taken. I have been into many Spanish churches and cathedrals and have never come across a dress code, the cathedral in Palma de Mallorca (which is spectacular) had people wandering around in flip flops and beach wear.

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FinanceLPlates · 19/05/2024 10:44

Frankly she’ll be much better off anyway wearing light, loose clothing that covers up skin in a scorching hot Roman summer. Has she ever been to a really hot country before? You can’t wear enough sunscreen and unless you’re on a beach with a bit of a breeze you’ll be sweltering in anything too clingy.

Cofaki · 19/05/2024 10:51

They enforce it in all the churches in Rome. I wasn't able to go in one because they could see my shoulders (never mind that none of it is biblical).

FinanceLPlates · 19/05/2024 10:52

I also agree about respecting other cultures. Basically, when in Rome…

Original poster
Misthios · 19/05/2024 11:01

FinanceLPlates · 19/05/2024 10:52

I also agree about respecting other cultures. Basically, when in Rome…

This is pretty much what I said. Their house, their rules.

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Original poster
Misthios · 19/05/2024 11:02

FinanceLPlates · 19/05/2024 10:44

Frankly she’ll be much better off anyway wearing light, loose clothing that covers up skin in a scorching hot Roman summer. Has she ever been to a really hot country before? You can’t wear enough sunscreen and unless you’re on a beach with a bit of a breeze you’ll be sweltering in anything too clingy.

Yes she has. Lots of times. But is a teenager who knows it ALL and will not be told. And is more interested in things like looking "cute" in Instagram photos than avoiding sunburn and heatstroke.

OP posts:
Topseyt123 · 19/05/2024 11:05

Misthios · 19/05/2024 10:32

Well exactly - we told her that DH and I were once in Cyprus and went to see some famous painted monastry, we had read in advance that you needed long trousers so had packed some, there were vendors outside "renting" the most hideous trousers and clearly not washing them between uses. Yuk.

She has plenty of leggings, longer skirts, t-shirts and tops which cover her shoulders. In hot weather she just prefers the strappy ones. Don't think she'll be up for a scarf wrapped round her so despite the scowls and teenage rants about policing what people wear I will make sure she packs appropriately.

We went to the monastery in Cyprus, assuming it's the same one in the Troodos mountains. They were lending out monks' habits for people who were not appropriately dressed. 🤣

I think she will find that they will enforce the dress code in the Vatican. They did when we were there some years ago. It is the heart of the Roman Catholic church after all. It was really just shoulders and tops of legs down to around your knees that should be covered. A wrap or light silky shawl will do it and you can remove that to stuff it in a bag when you leave.

OpusGiemuJavlo · 19/05/2024 11:25

I've been recently. Yes they enforce it. It's because all the old men working there will get inflamed with lust at the sight of the elbows or knees of a dumpy middle aged woman perhaps? But as for your dd she needs to accept that if you want to go to someone's house your choice is to abide by their rules or not go - this is basic respect and one of the top rules for not being an entitled nasty person. This is the pope's house. There's no obligation to go inside but if you do you have to obey the rules.

likepebblesonabeach · 19/05/2024 12:40

This may be the time to show her she doesn't know everything, seeing it in practice is far more memorable than us mums telling them.
If she is adamant it won't be enforced, leave the packing of the appropriate clothes to her.
If she gets there and is refused entry and won't wear the shawl provided she just doesn't get it. This was not your decision but hers.
Maybe hanging around waiting for you to come out may be a valuable life lesson

FinanceLPlates · 19/05/2024 12:44

Misthios · 19/05/2024 11:02

Yes she has. Lots of times. But is a teenager who knows it ALL and will not be told. And is more interested in things like looking "cute" in Instagram photos than avoiding sunburn and heatstroke.

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I feel for you 🤣