Vatican City is the headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church and holds deep religious significance.
In order to maintain the sanctity of the attraction, the Vatican enforces a strict dress code for all visitors.
In this article, we will dive deep into the details of the Vatican’s dress guidelines and learn about what to wear and what to avoid while getting ready to visit the attraction.
Vatican General Dressing Guidelines
The main criteria a dresto follow the Vatican Dress Code is to cover your skin and have a minimum exposed area.
Not just the dress, but even the accessories, jewelry, body art, etc., have specific restrictions if they are visible in public.
The fundamental principle is that no item should convey offensive or explicit content that could be deemed disrespectful towards religious beliefs or sentiments.
- Visitors must wear clothes that cover their knees, shoulders and midriff section
- Tattoos that are offensive or against the religion shouldn’t be visible
- No offensive slogans or pictures on the clothes you are wearing
- No sleeveless, mini or short skirts, bermudas, or shorts
- You cannot wear hats and caps inside the museum
Dress for Men
Here, we give details about what clothes men can and cannot wear in the Vatican Museums.
You can wear:
- Full and half formal and casual t-shirts, shirts
- Full trousers, jeans
- Any other dress covering knees, shoulders, and chest.
- Closed shoes
You can’t wear:
- Sleeveless shirts, t-shirts
- Shorts that expose the knee
- Clothes with indecent quotes, logos or images
- No hats or caps
- Casual sandals
- Ripped jeans
Dress for Women
Like men, women also have several dress restrictions, which are mentioned below.
You can wear:
- Full, quarter, or short sleeve shirts, t-shirts, and tops covering shoulders and chest
- Full trousers or jeans
- Long, midi or knee-length dresses and skirts covering knees
- Shorts covering knees
- Scarf, shrug, coats
- Semi-formal or closed shoes
You can’t wear:
- Sleeveless tops or dresses
- Crop top exposing belly, chest, shoulders, and back
- Mini skirt, dress, or short exposing knees
- Hats or caps
- Stilettos or high heels
- Dress with obscene or objectionable content
- Ripped jeans or skirt
Dress for Kids
Like adults, kids and teenagers have similar rules of covering their knees, shoulders, and chests while accompanying their parents or guardians to Vatican City.
However, the rules are not strict for newborns and toddlers.
Code for Other Accessories
Along with the dress code, there are certain rules for other accessories like jewelry, body art, shoes etc, which visitors must follow if they want to enter Vatican City.
- Tattoos that are indecent, obscene or can hurt religious sentiments are strictly prohibited
- Wear covered shoes, and avoid flip-flops and high heels. Though the Vatican doesn’t have a specific guideline for footwear, closed footwear is highly encouraged and also proves to be comfortable while visiting museums.
- You cannot carry medium or large umbrellas or wear hats or caps inside the museum.
Is the dress code the same in the Sistine Chapel as in Vatican Museums?
Yes, the dress code is the same for all the places in the Vatican, including the Sistine Chapel.
It is the most famous and visited hall of the Vatican Museums and a place of Catholic worship and papal ceremonies.
Therefore, maintaining decorum is of utmost importance.
Is the dress code the same in St. Peter’s Basilica as in Vatican Museums?
The Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica dress codes are mostly the same.
Your knees, shoulders, and midriff must be covered when entering for a mass or just a visit.
The only exception is that women can wear hats during mass. However, men have to open their hats before entering the basilica.
Not following the dress code? Here’s what you can do
Being the prime center of Christianity and the Pope residing in Vatican City, the place has certain self-governing regulations about dressing appropriately.
The Vatican guards (Swiss Guards) are authorized to stop visitors from entering the city if they are inappropriately dressed.
However, If you forgot to follow the dress code and do not want to get your entry denied, her’s what you can do:
There are many shops in Rome and around Vatican City where you can buy ponchos, robes, scarves or bottomwear to make yourself fit to get in.
Summers can get uncomfortable with too many clothes, so this can be a make-shift option just for your Vatican visit.
Once you are out of the city, you can remove the robes or scarves that you have and continue to enjoy your trip.
If you are there during the winter, it is easy to cover yourself with a cardigan, jacket or coat.
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FAQs
1. Is there a dress code to visit the Vatican Museums?
You must be dressed appropriately to visit the Vatican Museums and the city. The dress code applies to all genders and ages except for newborns and toddlers.
2. Is there a dress code for kids?
Except for newborns and toddlers, all kids and teenagers must abide by the same dress code as adults.
3. How strict is the Vatican dress code?
The dress code is strict; you must wear clothes covering your knees, shoulders, chest, and back.
They restrict skin exposure, but it is easy to respect as it is a place of utmost religious significance.
4. Can I use hats during the summer while inside the museums?
Hats are not allowed to be worn inside the museums, chapels, churches, and basilicas in the Vatican.
5. Can I use a scarf to cover my exposed shoulders and low-cut dresses?
Yes, you can carry a scarf or a shrug to cover the exposed areas of your skin and look modest in Vatican City.
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Featured Image: Vaticannews.va