We often get asked questions about what the Florence Dress Code is and how not to look like a tourist in Florence and the wider Tuscan region. In this guide we aim to demystify the rules over what to wear to Florence by answering your most frequently asked Florence outfit questions and give you some outfit inspiration.
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FAQS About the Florence Dress Code
Is there a dress code in Florence?
There is not a Florence dress code per se. However there are some places in Venice where dress codes are enforced.
For instance, all churches in Italy have a dress code whether you are visiting the Pantheon or The Vatican , Rome, Duomo in Florence, or St Marks in Venice.
Generally speaking the following areas should always be covered when visiting any church in Italy including the Florence Duomo.
- Shoulders
- Knees.
Therefore when putting together your Italy Outfit for churches your should avoid wearing
- Sleeveless Tops
- Mini Skirts
- Shorts
This dress code is strictly enforced and you may not be granted entry should your outfit not meet the rules. In fact I have actually seen people be turned away because they are not wearing appropriate attire.
It is also worth noting that the Church Dress Code applies to both men and women. For more information on Duomo Florence Dress code check out this post.
On top of the churches, you will want to be sure you are wearing appropriate footwear in the more ancient places that you will be visiting in Florence where there are lots of cobbles and uneven walkways and on bridges which can have uneven and slippery surfaces.
It is also worth noting you will find that the local Italians are a stylish bunch and therefore there are some things that you will not see on the streets of Venice which we will explain below.
Can I wear shorts in Florence?
You can wear shorts in Florence if you want to however you will find these are more commonly seen being worn by tourists instead of locals who are going to the office etc.
If you are selecting shorts to wear in Florence then I would select a smarter pair of shorts such as tailored shorts for men instead of cargo shorts as this will help you fit in more with the locals. And for women we recommend a mixture of cotton shorts and denim shorts. Also I would select a more modest pair rather than a pair of short shorts as these aren’t commonly seen throughout Italy.
Also please note: if you want to visit churches on your Florence itinerary you will not be able to wear shorts as these do not cover your leg enough. Therefore on itinerary days with churches be sure to avoid wearing shorts.
Also it is worth noting that is is not common to see shorts being worn by either men or women in Italian restaurants.
Finally it is worth noting that is really won’t be warm enough outside of the summer months in Florence (i.e. June, July and August) to wear shorts for sightseeing.
Therefore in answer to can you wear shorts in Florence is it really depends on where you are and what activity you will be doing alongside the weather.
Can I wear crop tops in Florence?
Crop tops are really not something you will see being worn in Florence by local women. And they definitely would not be appropriate to wear in churches.
Generally speaking I would leave the crop top off your packing list unless your Italy itinerary will also take in some more beach destinations such as the Amalfi Coast, Puglia and the islands such as Sardinia, Sicily and Capri. But if you are just staying in Florence it is better to leave the crop tops at home.
Do you have to cover your shoulders in Florence?
The answer to do you have to cover your shoulders in Florence is yes and no depending on where you are going.
If you plan to visit a church or the Duomo (which should absolutely be on your Florence bucket list) you absolutely have to keep your shoulders covered. And you will not be permitted entry to some churches with bare shoulders. For this reason I always carry a pashmina with me in Italy for these occasions.
Outside of churches however you will see lots of bare shoulders which are perfectly acceptable.
Can you wear jeans in Florence?
You absolutely can wear jeans in Florence. In fact we recommend them on our Winter Florence packing list.
We always recommend smarter pairs though to be more in keeping with the locals.
Can you wear ripped jeans in Florence?
You can definitely wear ripped jeans in Florence but there are a few provisos for those considering bringing ripped jeans to Florence.
Firstly, ripped jeans are not commonly seen being worn by Italians. So they could mark you out as a tourist in the city.
Also jeans, even the ripped kind will be too hot to wear in Florence in Summer and I would only really recommend adding them to your packing list for Winter in Florence.
And when you do add jeans to your packing list you will find that the locals tend wear slim fit and darker color jeans.
Note: if you plan to visit a church then ripped jeans that show your thigh would not be acceptable and you would get turned away while wearing these.
Can I wear sneakers in Florence?
There is a rumor on the internet that sneakers, or runners or trainers, as they are sometimes called, are not appropriate footwear in Italy on the whole. But let me tell you this is not true. And sneakers are my go to shoe.
The reason for this is that they can cope with the large amounts of walking you will be doing in Florence and are good for the uneven terrain such as on bridges in the city.
Can I wear flip flops in Florence?
You can wear flip flops in Florence as there are no rules against it however I would strongly advise you not to do so unless you are planning on spending time around the pool.
Flip flops offer very little arch support and aren’t great to wear on the uneven surfaces of Florence.
Do people wear leggings in Florence?
You will find that many tourists wear leggings in Florence however they are not commonly worn by locals, unless they are actually doing sports such as running.
Therefore if you want to look more like a local then I would recommend leaving the leggings at home. However if you feel comfortable in leggings and aren’t trying to fit in with local styles then by all means wear leggings.
What do you wear at night in Florence
Although Florence isn’t a very formal place, you will find that most restaurants in Italy and Italians in them will adopt a smart casual dress code.
For more information on what to wear in Italy for dinner check out this post.
Personally I would normally avoid shorts and sneakers at restaurants in Italy and opt for dresses and either sandals and boots for women depending on the city and time of year, and chinos and shirts, either long and short sleeved, for men in Florence.
Do I need swimwear for Florence?
Swimwear is definitely an optional for your Florence packing list depending on where you are visiting and when.
Whether of not you need swimwear for Florence depends on:
- if you plan on visiting a beach as a day trip from Florence
- if your hotel has access to a pool
- if you plan to travel to other beach regions of Italy
- if you plan to go on a Med cruise as part of your Italy trip
If you answer yes to the above we definitely recommend bringing swimwear with you however if you answer no to all of the above the chances are you won’t need swimwear.
Note: you will also need a quick dry towel and a beach cover if you plan to visit the beach in Florence.
How to dress for Florence / Florence Dress Codes
When you are looking for how to dress for Italy, we advise taking all of the above advice into consideration but also thinking about how to dress for the weather.
Despite many people thinking of Italy as a year round warm destination this is in fact not true. And many places in Italy experiences four seasons.
For this reason we advise checking out our monthly what to wear in Italy guides to help you put together your Italian Capsule Wardrobe:
- What to wear in Florence in January
- What to wear in Florence in February
- What to wear in Florence in March
- What to wear in Florence in April
- What to wear in Florence in May
- What to wear in Florence in Summer
- What to wear in Florence in June
- What to wear in Florence in July
- What to wear in Florence in August
- What to wear in Florence in September
- What to wear in Florence in October
- What to wear in Florence in November
- What to wear in Florence in December
Generally speaking I would advise packing trousers / jeans along with t shirts and blouses for winter alongside coats and blazers.
However in summer I recommend sticking to Maxi dresses and skirts, with shoulders covered for days when you are planning to visit churches.
And a pashmina is an essential whatever time of year you are visiting Italy as it works as a great extra cover for churches and for when you feel chilly when dining al fresco.
And sunglasses are a must whatever season you visit as some of the cities can be quite dazzling especially around the Duomo.
What is the dress code for Florence museums?
Generally speaking museums in Italy do not have dress codes. However there are things that would be deemed inappropriate at museums in Italy such as overly skimpy or revealing clothes, items of clothing that may cause offence i.e. offensive slogan or graphic tees and beachwear.
We therefore recommend a casual to smart casual dress code be adopted.
What is Uffizi gallery dress code?
The Uffizi Gallery is the most famous gallery / museum in Florence. People tend to flock Here to see the gallery’s most famous artwork – ‘The Birth of Venus’ by Sandro Botticelli.
But does the Uffizi Gallery have a dress code? As we said most Italian museums do not have a dress code, however the Uffizi Gallery does require proper attire. This means no skimpy clothing or beach wear. And you can not wear wedding dresses and wedding outfits in the grounds.
For more information on what to wear in museums check out this post.
Does the Accademia Gallery have a dress code?
The Accademia Gallery is a very popular Florence tourist attraction as it is home to the David Sculpture.
But the good news is that the Accademia Gallery does not have a dress code.
What is the dress code for Duomo?
The dress code for Duomo is the same as all other Italian churches and is strongly enforced.
Keep shoulders and knees covered and don’t wear anything overly, tight, skimpy or with slogans or graphic that can cause offence.
For more details about the Duomo Dress code check out this post.
What Else to Add to Your Florence Packing List
On top of the above the following items should be added to your Florence Packing List whatever season you are traveling in.
- Crossbody bag – one with plenty of zips that can put off pick pockets is best. You can get pickpockets anywhere around tourist attractions so having a bag that deters pickpockets is best.
- Water bottle – One of my favourite things about cities in italy such as Florence is the free water fountains around the city so be sure to make use of them.
- Sunscreen
- Toiletries
- Medication
- Travel First Aid Kit
- Blister plasters
- Camera
- Travel Adaptor
- Power Pack / Battery recharger
Are you traveling to Florence? Is there a question you have we haven’t answered leave us a comment below and we will get back to you as soon as we can.