Should you pack shorts for Europe? Temperatures are climbing here in Italy, it’s getting close to 90 at mid day. For most people in the US, this type of summertime heat means shorts weather… unless you’re from Seattle where kids wear shorts in the snow.
If your travel plans are taking you to Europe in the summer, you’re probably planning on tossing in a couple pairs. However, before you do, you should be aware that shorts in Europe aren’t as common as in the US.
I get why we love shorts in the US. I grew up near LA and lived in shorts year-round. But when I moved to Italy as a student, I learned the hard way that shorts aren’t as common.
As a traveler, wearing clothes more popular in the US like shorts in Europe are problematic for a few reasons. They are not allowed in most churches unless they cover the knee due to the dress codes. They are not allowed in upscale restaurants.
Even if they aren’t forbidden on the street, you will be stating that you’re a tourist by wearing them, and they may make you feel out of place in more conservative areas. So what’s a traveler to do in a heat wave? Is there any way to bring shorts and wear them the right way? Let’s dive into the answers to these questions and more:
It’s Cultural
Many travelers ask me if shorts in Europe are okay to wear at all. In the past I would have said no, no, NO. I’ve spent a good chunk of my life in Italy, beginning more than 20 years ago.
The customs I picked up back then still ring in my thoughts, and shorts were strictly a no-go, considered crass and too casual even for the grocery store. I don’t think you could have even bought them here when I was a student living in Rome.
Things are changing and Europeans do wear shorts these days. European style shorts are becoming far more common for locals in northern Europe, although still not common in France and Italy in particular.
But still, on the whole, Europeans tend to dress more formally than we do. Shorts are something you mostly see in a beach resort. If you see them in the city, it’s rarely on locals. Shorts are considered to be too casual and too revealing, which, I realize, is rich coming from cultures that accept and endorse Speedos on men of all ages.
Shorts on Women
Most European women choose skirts and dresses in a heat wave. That’s smart because dresses tend to be comfortable and have the natural advantage of, um, let’s call it “air-conditioning.”
For women visiting Europe I would tend to encourage adopting the skirt and dress custom over shorts. You’ll be more comfy, plus dresses have versatility, you can simply add leggings and/or a sweater if the weather gets cool.
The other option is Capri pants, or pants that go just below the knee. This is usually my go-to choice. My bag right now has two pairs. Capris usually look best if they are slim fitting, think Audrey Hepburn, and worn with sandals or flats. A nice pair of black Capris with a crisp white shirt and a scarf or necklace… that is a classy, no-fuss look.
Women have plenty of good options for comfortable, classy, feminine summer wear, so from my perspective, there’s no reason to wear shorts. Yes, I know you disagree with me. That’s okay.
Yes, I Know, Men Love Shorts
It’s tougher for men, I know, I know. Telling them not to wear shorts is dooming them to being sweaty.
The reality is that these days, Italian men’s shorts are beginning to be worn by Italians on hot days, even stylish city folk. It’s more common to see them on young men outside of the big cities, but they can be anywhere.
The difference is keeping it classy. Sloppy cut-offs, overly baggy shorts, or shorts worn with tube socks up to the knees don’t look classy on anyone. Khaki shorts and socks with sandals? Mamma mia! That’s cause for deportation in Italy;
My advice for men is to bring shorts that are fitted, that won’t wrinkle, in a neutral color like black or gray. Collared polo shirts are a far better look than T-shirts here. Wear nice shoes: leather sandals or boat shoes are a good choice.
And consider linen pants. They are both cool and make you look like Lord Byron.
I have noticed a trend in Europe that you may not know about. I call them “Manpri’s”…Capri pants for men. If you see them, you know one thing immediately – the person wearing them is definitely not American.
If you can convince your man to buy them, they make a fun and unique souvenir, plus, I think they look cool. You can even buy them here if you want to really blend in.
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Should I or Shouldn’t I? I LOVE Shorts!
The reality is, even if we love our shorts, they don’t always look appropriate. If shorts are really your thing, keep in mind that swim trunks are not the same thing.
If you have a young woman in your life, please spread this advice – if your buns are visible out the bottom, they are too short. This fashion is popular with young girls and isn’t a great choice. Anywhere. Sorry for sounding like a grumpy old lady, but I see the looks that these shorts attract, and that is the kind of attention that no woman really wants.
The best insight I have heard was from a local. One of my girlfriends, an American married to an Italian and living in Italy, gave this take: “You can wear shorts, everyone does, but most women will do that only if they dress it up. They will add layers and accessorize with cool jewelry or a scarf to make it look presentable.”
In the end, there is no right answer here. Bring shorts if you have a good reason, if they look good on you and make you feel comfortable. Make sure they are longer and fit you well.
I’m old fashioned I guess. You’ll never see me wearing shorts in Europe, not unless I’m at the beach laying in the sun. Preferably with a cocktail.
Addendum
From the variety and quantity of reactions, it seems that shorts are a very polarizing topic. Some people have shouted AMEN at me, others have been offended that I’m pointing this out in my frank way of speaking and others have said I am totally wrong about this.
I am here only to give advice for a better trip based on years of observations and conversations with locals. Ultimately, what you choose to wear will always be down to personal preference.
NO SHORTS!! I have just returned from Italy and was continually shaking my head at the Americans in despair at the inappropriate short, short shorts (Women and men). The young girls especially, who often insist on showing off their derrieres. Could we Americans be just a bit more sophisticated? We are easy to pick out — we are the ones that look like we just rolled out of bed even in semi-formal settings. Sigh!
Mamma mia!! Shorts have always been a dead giveaway for tourists….especially AMERICAN tourists. Nothing wrong with being American–proud of it. Just don’t be an UGLY American — and I agree with Sarah, most people do not look good in shorts and let’s please cover up those butts. No surprise that American girls traveling in many lands, who dress inappropriately (and also who don’t) are often considered an easy lay (cross the Mediterranean to North Africa and you’ll find out). For those of us who never were, it caused lots of problems! Let’s all try to be a bit classier — especially now, when Europeans are very concerned about our country and its relationships abroad.
I have several skorts, they are tasteful, do you agree? they look exactly like skirts….think of being on the golf course.
Skorts are a fine alternative and look nice. They can be a little too short for churches though.
Last year, on my Eastern Europe tour with RS, our guide (male) wore shorts and t-shirt. Never did he look out of place. Many of us on the tour wore shorts as well. It was very hot, you would have looked ridiculous wearing anything else. No one wore short shorts, ratty looking T’s, sloppy, baggy or unkempt anything. No one looked at us or cared what we were wearing. I get very hot and overheated very easily and long pants, even capris are not an option for me when the temps are in the 90’s.
For women who are stuck on shorts because of chafing when you wear skirts (especially when it’s hot), they now make sheer short-like underpants to wear under your skirt/dress. They work well for me as I prefer skirts/dresses over shorts for the most part when it’s hot.
what a great idea and advice! I’ll look for these….any particular place a woman can buy these? any brands you recommend?
Jockey skimmies are the ones I have. There is a regular version and a wicking version. They perform well– the wicking version is the summer version (very light and super quick to dry). You can buy them at Jockey’s website or anywhere Jockey is sold (Target, etc.)
I’ve purchased them at Jockey and Kohls, but you can get them at nearly any department store (i.e. JC Penny, Target etc.)
Undersummers is another great brand found on Amazon. I have 3 pair!
Manpris have been popular in the Orlando area for years now. Men from many areas (the U.K., and Brazil in particular) wear them–often with cross body bags. They look stylish and appropriate for the sweltering climate here!
We were in Rome last August, there were definitely many Italian men wearing shorts and flip flops. Having said that, if i wear shorts in Europe they are tailored golf shorts (10 inch inseam) along with a polo shirt and shoes with no socks SHOWING. I do pack in my day bag a pair nylon pants that I can put on in a bathroom if needed. The other thing is that I take my cue from our guides, if he shows up in shorts, I am changing to shorts!
This entire article is spot on. I’ve been traveling in Europe and around the world for 45 years. Basically, in recent years it seems the “ugly Americans” have proliferated everywhere. They speak too loudly, act like boors, dress like they’re at Disneyland (and Disney is the fashion faux pas capital of the world), and generally look and act like heathens. I’m with you on how to dress while traveling. I no longer wear shorts at all, anywhere. In summer it’s capris all the way, nice ones with a fitted (NOT overly tight) sleeved top over a sleeveless tank. For spring and fall European travel, again you’re absolutely correct: fitted long pants or a skirt/dress with leggings for warmth. Layers on top (I favor quick-dry q-zips or similar), followed by a cardigan, finish with an Eddie Bauer rain jacket or a Scottevest trench. If one packs correctly, everything can be washed in a sink, wrung out, neatly laid out and wrapped on a towel which you then step on all over to get the rest of the drips out, hang up overnight to be completely dry and never need ironing. Someone must speak up for dressing like a savvy traveler instead of a tourist. Thanks for your post.
I live in Valencia, Spain, and I believe that all younger locals wear shorts, both men and women, and sometimes very short shorts. I live in the city, nowhere near the beach. I would say that for people 40 and above, it’s more common to see wide legged capris or fitted ones. People are generally more coordinated. Dresses are worn by all women, in all lengths and styles. Living here, I feel if you dress neatly and look as if you put some thought into what you are wearing, you’ll fit in.
We will be attending Palio (Sienna) in 2024 with kids and grandkids. Ages 18 and up for the group. Will be difficult to convince these Seattle natives not to wear shorts. Any thoughts for that specific event?
Note: We were with your RS Best of Italy tour in Spring 2004 ( our 40 anniversary). You were expecting your first child and we could hardly keep up with you each day! This will be our return to Lake Como, etc for our 60th 🙂
I just visited Vienna, Prague, Budapest, Slovakia, Zurich, Lauterbrunnen, Murren, Grindelwald, Salzburg, and Hallstatt in the span of a couple of weeks, with an average temperature of 76 degrees. Women under 35 certainly wore shorts during the hottest part of the day, both locals and European tourists, as well as mini-to-knee length dresses. Local teenagers dressed very much like American teens in New Yorker tube tops/crop tops/low rise pants/short shorts (quite often with midriff exposed). It was clear there’s a generational line with regard to appropriate clothing and how conservatively you should dress, since older local women were wore breezy ankle cropped or long trousers or maxi skirts (rarely dresses).
American and Aussie tourists were prone to frumpy bermudas and capris (aging, particularly flattering) or obvious hiking/workout gear; the ones that didn’t were probably indistinguishable from locals so I couldn’t tell. Asian tourists generally wore trousers, skirts, or very pretty long pastel dresses and were very stylishly and expensively dressed. Men (locals and tourists) wore ankle-length or long pants or shorts, certainly not capris; shorts were (again) more common on younger men. People generally seemed to shop at H&M and Zara and I verified that they had almost exactly the same stock that we have in the US, so the styles weren’t that different (especially amongst the younger crowd). Accessorizing and grooming was certainly done to a higher standard, however.
This may be different in other parts of the continent, but in these cities shorts on both genders seemed perfectly acceptable, since that’s precisely what locals were wearing.
I’m from Spain and I’ve live throughout Europe for the last 10 years. I can confirm that everything you said here is not true. Europeans wear shorts ALL THE TIME, both men and women. It is completely acceptable to wear them and no one will look bad at you, except at certain churches and mosques.
About the capris, there’s nothing that says more that you are an American tourist that a pair of capris! Just FYI
I’m so glad I came across this article! I did wonder why everyone was looking more ‘autumnal’ in Paris in the middle of summer. I definitely felt under-dressed going out with shorts or a short skirt. It makes total sense now. And I completely agree there are ways to keep cool in summer without showing heaps of skin. Capris and a long/midi dress is definitely on the packing list for next time – easier to dress ‘day-to-night’ anyway if you’re out and about all day.