Dress code - Europe
Last Updated: Nov. 24, 2009
More Tour and Travel Advice for Europe
Contrary to some literature, you do not need to dress up with dress pants and dresses to get into clubs and bars in Europe. Most of the time jeans and a t-shirt is more than enough with some bars and venues even allowing entry with shorts and flip flops.
General
For most occasions, comfortable, casual clothes are recommended for your European travel adevntures.
Going Out and Evening Wear
Although you don’t have to wear slacks and tie everywhere, you should definitely take at least one set of ‘going out’ clothes (slacks, shirt, tie, smart dress).
A nice dress, a pair of slacks, a button up shirt and even a tie are great for places like:
- Paris Cabaret Shows like the Nouvelle Eve and the Moulin Rouge.
- Monaco – lifestyles of the rich and famous – it may pay off to look good here.
- Italy – Just because the Italians generally look so good.
- Space Electronic Disco and other nights out at bars or clubs.
‘Church Dress’
Europe is filled with amazing buildings, architecture and churches. If you want to visit the inside of European churches, particularly in Italy, you need to dress respectfully, wearing what is generally referred to as ‘church dress’. As a general rule, you should have your shoulders, mid-section and knees covered. This rule applies to both males and females.
For ladies this means that mid-riff tops are not allowed, nor are ‘strappy’ tops that do not cover your shoulders, however, wrapping a thin shawl or a sarong around your shoulders is considered sufficient. Likewise, generally short shorts and skirts that do not cover your knees are not allowed but, again, a longer skirt, shorts or wrapping a sarong around your waist to cover your knees is acceptable.
Gentlemen likewise should wear long pants or shorts that cover their knees.
T-shirts, jeans and the like are perfectly acceptable, as are any other forms of clothing that simply cover your shoulders, mid-section and knees.
Rules regarding footwear do not apply and thongs, sandals and flip flops are perfectly fine, as are all other varieties of footwear.
Although you may find these entry requirements are not observed in some churches, the larger churches like St Marks in Venice, the Duomo of Florence and St Peters Basilica of the Vatican in Rome often strictly enforce this dress code, as does the Vatican Museums, home to the Sistine Chapel.
Beaches
While you may find yourself covering up in some places, European beaches are the perfect place to take it off, rest, relax soak up the sun do a little people watching and enjoy European beach culture at it’s best.
Add a Comment Comments (25)
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Explorer1158308
posted 2 days ago
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Anyone coming 46 day camping 20th August….??
Tabitha17
posted on Aug. 06, 2009
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my trip is only 13 more sleeps – dame i cant wait … Need to know though – is it still hot in Europe in August going nto september, will in be snowing in swis alps ?
World Traveler
posted on Aug. 05, 2009
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posted on Jul. 28, 2009
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Hey Charlie here, is anybody going on the Ultimate European plus Greek Islands on the 26th of July. Im flying solo so it would be nice to know some people lol, If anyone is my email is charleshalstead@hotmail.com
Charlie0082
posted on Jul. 21, 2009
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Hello,
Is any one going to The European Whirl Trip on 6th September intill 23rd September 2009?Day_Dreamer86
posted on Jul. 21, 2009
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Hi – Im doing the European Exsperince from the 18th August – and yes – solo too.. Find me on fb..
World Traveler
posted on Jul. 20, 2009
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I’m going solo on Italian Espresso on Oct 23 departure. My sister has also taken a few tours, 1 solo & 1 with a friend, she had fun both times.
Adam
posted on Jul. 13, 2009
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Hey rach here, is anybody going on the European highlights on the 27th of June. Im flying solo so it would be nice to know some people lol, If anyone is my email is palmow_is@hotmail.com
Thankz =)Explorer1099328
posted on Jun. 14, 2009
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Hello Sarah, I too am travelling Europe solo! I’m going on the European highlights tour in July 29th. Yay!
SamJane
posted on May. 19, 2009
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Hi Sarah, I’m going on the European Adventurer tour beginning in London on June 24th…I’m also touring Europe by myself….
Stacy
Explorer1112665
posted on May. 18, 2009
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Hi,
Im Sarah, im 25 I want to contiki Europe this year but im going it alone! any1 else in the same position? bit nervous but excited to meet heeps of new people!!
Explorer1135592
posted on May. 17, 2009
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my names Joe, im doing the london to athens tour, june 30th! Im a kiwi.. add me to facebook joerd@hotmail.com if your doing europe around then!
Joerd
posted on Apr. 04, 2009
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What about flip flops or “thongs” for going out. In the US we wear them all them time, even when going out to bars or clubs. Is it ok in Europe too?
moira_43
posted on Mar. 20, 2009
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I am confused about this “smart dress” thing. How dressed up are we supposed to be getting?
Explorer1127014
posted on Mar. 05, 2009
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Like in pretty much every night club it’s warm, so you don’t have to wear your thickest clothing. I don’t know where you come from, but it isn’t that cold in Western Europe. I come from Germany and the temperature is hardly ever under 0°C, most of the time it’s warmer. A warm jacket and some semi-warm clothes (t-shirt with long sleeves or a thin sweater) will do. And if you’re freezing in a night club, just dance. ;)
Explorer1115860
posted on Oct. 31, 2008
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I don’t think I’ll have to worry about bare middles or shoulders in the middle of winter, but as far a clubs and night life go, isn’t it going to be a bit challeging hitting the town looking your best when your trying not to freeze your ass off? What would you suggest for Western Europe night life in the middle of winter.
Explorer1115730
posted on Oct. 30, 2008
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Every venue is different, generally though, no club is going to deny you entry because of your shoes (I have no idea why some places – like Vegas – do this) – it’s best to look as good as you can if you want to visit places like the Monte Carlo Casino, but even there I’ve sen them let people in with jeans, shirts and non-dress shoes. The Europeans, if they ever do decide to impose a dress code (very rare) usually just care that you look good rather than being worried about if your shoes are the ‘right’ type of material.
mattyvcontiki
posted on Aug. 13, 2008
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What’s the deal with shoes for night clubs in Europe? Do you have to wear leather shoes or can you wear tidy sneakers?
Paulimus_Prime
posted on Aug. 13, 2008
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Yeah, I have no idea why they print this…jeans are fine….t-shirts pretty much everywhere… Again it depends on the city, but you can even get into the Grand Casino in Monte Carlo with jeans and a nice shirt.
mattyvcontiki
posted on Aug. 06, 2008
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I’m a bit confused, in my Contiki vouchers pack it says jeans are not acceptable for European Nite clubs but here it says:
“Most of the time jeans and a t-shirt is more than enough with some bars and venues even allowing entry with shorts and flip flops.”
So which is it, are jeans acceptable or not?
Paulimus_Prime
posted on Aug. 06, 2008
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Thanks for all your great tips…wouldn’t have had a clue
Bella Ashleigh
posted on Jun. 14, 2008
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You definately have to follow the “chruch dress” rules because some churches will not let you in if you are not dresses appropriately.
Explorer1085743
posted on Jan. 12, 2008
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I think you mean ‘some parts of Europe to walk around WITHOUT a shirt on.”
As is the case in Nice, on the French Riviera, you can go topless on the beach, but on in the markets one block back from the water…..the beaches are so liberal yet the town so conservative.
mattyvcontiki
posted on Oct. 24, 2007
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Smart clothing is a must for your suitcase or you’ll stand out when everyone else looks hot and you do not. It is culturally insensitive and against the law in some parts of Europe to walk around with a shirt on. The same Church Dress rules apply when visiting Istanbul’s Blue Mosque & Prague’s Jewish Quarter
Davo
posted on Oct. 19, 2007
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Recent Tips
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