Are tights or leggings a substitute? - Rome Forum (2024)

5 posts

If the leggings look like pants, great, it will probably work. But, remember, it really just depends on the personal judgment of which guard sees you in St. Peter's so to be safe I would avoid the hassle and wear something longer.

Or, just bring backup clothing and put it in your bag :)

On the whole it is the showing of knees which is consider a no-no, not whether they are covered by tights or leggings. But it does vary from church to church, depending on the strength of feeling on this issue with both the priest in charge and the local bishop.

shouldn't be a problem, expecially if under a skirt

I would probably take a wide shawl that you could tie or pin around your waist as a skirt just in case some uber conservative doesn't think you are appropriate. It won't take up much room and will in sure that you won't miss anything. Just be sure it is wide enough to cover your knees and long enoug to wrap around.

So now we see the real deal here (other threads here have got very passionate about the rules that "they are allowed to impose") - it is up to the particular Guard in determining what you wearing if you get in....

Hmmmmmm!

Wouldn't it just be easier to wear a skirt or dress that covered your knees?

I have never understood the lengths that some people are prepared to go to in trying to get around the dress requirements at the Vatican. Wearing leggings under a dress or draping a shawl around your waist seems like a lot more hassle than just wearing a longer skirt to me.

Are there really people out there who don't own a skirt or a pair of pants that covers their knees and a shirt with sleeves?

Seriously can someone please explain to me why so many people want to make this much more difficult than it needs to be?

I am not trying to be mean and nasty I just don't understand this. ;-)

You should be fine with leggings but I agree that you should just wear something that will cover you knees and not worry about having to put on leggings.

I don't see a shawl as a problem if I want to wear shorts to keep cool, but I don't think I would wear leggings. You are taking a chance on not getting in and they would be hot.A shawl is light and takes up little room and that way I can comply with Vatican rules and wear what I want the rest of the day. Same for taking something light to cover my shoulders. Carrying a whole other outfit seems to be a lot of work though.To each his own, but I would not do anything to jeopardize getting into the churches. Even if they dress code is a lot sticter that it is at home, the sights are worth it. I.m Cathlic and on a hot day, most of the people who attend my parish wouldn't make the cut at the Vartican.

Have to say I agree with HarleyB. Look, there is a point of clarity to be made. There are actually two thread titles here... the one on the page;

"Are tights or leggings a substitute?"

and the implicit one;

"Are tights or leggings a substitute for abiding by the Vatican's rules?"

I'd suggest that they aren't.

If you wish to visit the Vatican just play by the instructions laid down. They're very clear and you should expect them to be enforced. Cover up or don't go. It's up to you to make the choice, and you should not expect one of the guards to make it for you. Unless, of course, you actually WANT to stand in a long queue for possibly a couple of probably improperly dressed hours and take the risk that while you've been moderately cool while waiting you've just been turned away because someone here told you that you MIGHT get away with it.

The Vatican makes its dress codes clear and simple. And it's pointless - not to say insulting - to either try to interpret them or attempt to bend them.

I'm not sure about leggings but I wouldn't take the chance. As far as putting a scarf around your shoulders or using a light shawl as if it were a wrap around skirt, I don't see that as bending the rules. It is a way of conforming and being able to wear what you like and are comfortable in once you leave. As long as you are properly covered they don't care and you are conforming. As to whether it is easier to wear long pants or a long skirt in the first place, that is up to the tourist. I would probably wear a longer skirt and sleeves, but that is me. If someone else prefers to carry a shawl, scarf or even a different set of clothes, I'm not going to accuse them of being disrespectful or trying to break the rules. The rule says cover your kness and shoulders. It doesn't say how and doesn't say you have to wear the same outfit for the rest of the day.