Has anyone had a problem visiting The Vatican while kilted?

**SPS tools** · 13th May 16, 01:16 PM

I'm planning a trip to Italy this summer, which includes a visit to The Vatican museums. The guide book says, "no bare knees or shoulders." Do I need to pack a pair of pants?

(Normally I don't pack pants. I'm thinking a slightly long kilt worn slightly lower than usual.)

**Jock Scot** · 13th May 16, 01:32 PM

If you must wear the kilt , then wear it as it is supposed to be worn, anything else is just a travesty. There are plenty of RC's here in the Highlands who wear the kilt properly, so at least do the home of the kilt the honour of wearing it properly.

**cessna152towser** · 13th May 16, 01:43 PM

Probably best to respect local customs and traditions to avoid risk of offending.
I wore trousers when visiting Morocco and Israel, although shorts or a kilt would have been much more comfortable in the heat.
There's a saying in Europe, "When in Rome do as the Romans do."

**SPS tools** · 13th May 16, 01:52 PM

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

If you must wear the kilt , then wear it as it is supposed to be worn, anything else is just a travesty. There are plenty of RC's here in the Highlands who wear the kilt properly, so at least do the home of the kilt the honour of wearing it properly.

You seem to have missed the word "slightly". I was thinking of a hemline someplace between middle/bottom of the knee cap, instead of the top; a matter of an inch or two.

As for pants, I do have a pair of light weight, zip-off hiking pants from years ago I could pack for that day.

**Jock Scot** · 13th May 16, 01:59 PM

Originally Posted by SPS tools

You seem to have missed the word "slightly". I was thinking of a hemline someplace between middle/bottom of the knee cap, instead of the top; a matter of an inch or two.

As for pants, I do have a pair of light weight, zip-off hiking pants from years ago I could pack for that day.

I don't, I am afraid, regard your 'slightly" as slight. In my book, particularly when meeting a VIP then there is no leeway whatsoever in wearing one's attire properly. Anything else, is insulting to the VIP and everyone else and does not put yourself in a good light either. The question will be asked, silently perhaps, why you an American I assume, are wearing the kilt in the fist place.

**SPS tools** · 13th May 16, 02:09 PM

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

I don't, I am afraid, regard your 'slightly" as slight. In my book, particularly when meeting a VIP then there is no leeway in wearing one's attire properly. Anything else, is insulting to the VIP and everyone else, including yourself.

Perhaps I wasn't sufficiently explicit. I'm going to the Vatican museums as a common tourist in casual attire. Some guidebooks say, "no shorts or tank tops".

This is not for an audience with His Holiness, in which case I would be dressed in proper, formal or semi-formal attire.
Sorry for the confusion.

**Jock Scot** · 13th May 16, 02:21 PM

Well yes, I did not quite understand what your intentions are, nevertheless as an ambassador of the kilt in foreign lands then one is duty bound to wear a countries national attire properly. There is no leeway in that either I am afraid and to do otherwise does raise real questions of why you, an American, are wearing the kilt at the museum.

Trousers seem the best option to me.

**Father Bill** · 13th May 16, 02:22 PM

Ya' know... when it's written like that, the question of whether or not you'll have a problem will be open to some interpretation and will depend on which of many guards and guides you run into.

That means that it will have a degree of interpretation that will be applied and if you run into a guard/ guide who thinks in his/ her own mind or opinion that you don't meet the requirements, you'll be liable to expulsion.

As has been said, "When in Rome..." and that's where the Vatican is. Europeans respect the church much more than most North Americans and have some rather clear and strict expectations.

Why would you take the risk of offense anyway? If you think any place is worth seeing, it's worth respecting in the way the people in charge might (or might not) define it. It doesn't take a lot of effort to fit in, and in many situations, that's what simple respect amounts to.

**davidlpope** · 13th May 16, 04:54 PM

Wear pants.

**Willie T** · 13th May 16, 05:27 PM

I've been to the Vatican. Definitely wear pants to the Vatican and any other church, cathedral, or religious site you wish to visit. Even though you'll be visiting the museum, it is still considered a sacred/holy place by Catholics and you'll end up in the Sistine Chapel after your tour through the museum. Although all of us in this forum love and appreciate the kilt and know that wearing a kilt can be dressy and respectful, others may not see it that way and you could be asked to leave. Kilts are rarely seen in Italy so be careful when wearing a kilt in Italy and other places in Europe because you'll really stand out as a tourist and you could easily become a target for petty crime.