I was shopping with a friend recently as she is preparing for a trip to Italy. We were trying to find the least number of clothes of the lightest weight and the most possible uses. She asked me if I thought shorts were appropriate. My response was “yes” and “no.”
From a style and body shape perspective, I almost always recommend Bermuda length shorts over capris. And with the heat in Italy, pants are not necessarily a practical option. And, the dress in Italy, while very stylish, has become a bit more relaxed over the past few years, making a nice pair of tailored shorts with cute sandals a good option most of the time. But not always. There are still churches and some other sacred sites which require that women cover their shoulders and wear a skirt or pants to cover their knees.
So, my recommendation is that you dress in a way that is modest, flattering and comfortable. But carry a light weight and wrinkle resistant shawl and skirt with you so that you can make a “quick change” to meet modesty requirements. I have a shawl that I purchased a while back that can be tied around the waist and serves as a skirt, which is another great option.
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