I never looked at knees, but I can tell you that I saw bare shoulders at the Vatican and in churches. Meanwhile, I’m dripping sweat in my polyester scarf/shawl.
If you’re in Rome on a Wednesday, try to get free tickets to the Papal address. The Pope rides around the crowd, coming with 10’ of many. PM me if you want more info.
“Shoulders, abdomen and knees must be covered.” The Vatican is a bit tougher than many side street churches, which can be empty. Same old rule applies, as ever: better safe than sorry.
One site says average day temp in Rome in Sept is 70, another says higher. You’d better check. The bigger issue can be cold, stone buildings and that the heat isn’t always on, evenings, at that point.
No one has sent me out of a church because my knees showed. I tend to dress like the locals when a tourist, so I’m generally not running around in tank tops and shorts. I’ve never found maxi dresses to be too hot, but it would drive me crazy to do any kind of serious sightseeing in one - I’d be tripping over it every time I used stairs.
Personally I think tea-length can be quite attactive - especially with a flowy dress. I think as long as you shorten it at one of the logical points with the pattern it will be fine. And of course at worst you are only out $20.
I usually wear sundresses in Europe and no one has ever mentioned my knees - I like my dresses to hit just at the top of the knee, so my knees are exposed. Short mini skirts may raise an objection, but knee length won’t. Shoulders must be covered, almost everywhere. The Basilica of Santa Croce in Florence has horrible little blue coats that look a lot like hospital gowns which they hand to visitors who aren’t appropriately covered…a little bit humiliating for those who aren’t prepared.
I picked the Maxi because I liked how my hips and bum looked in it, plus the colors matched my walking sandals. I felt it could be shortened and still have a casual look. I imagine the hem will cost me $15. If it looks terrible, then I’m out $35. No matter the cost or length, I’m glad I came here with my questions about tapering or not…a resounding NOT…so I cancelled that alteration. Like i said…I’ll let everyone know how it turns out in a couple weeks…I know you will be waiting on pins and needles to find out.
“I’ve never found maxi dresses to be too hot, but it would drive me crazy to do any kind of serious sightseeing in one - I’d be tripping over it every time I used stairs.”
That’s a good point. I’m one of those who likes to walk up the small twisting stairs in churches to get to the top. That would be harder in a maxi!
Is there anyone here who is average height or shorter (I’m 5’4, long torso shirt legs) who can carry off a maxi? They look dreadful on me / my build, but maybe that’s just me! I do wish I could wear one!
5’6"–I can carry off a formal gown, but not a maxi. The difference is that with a formal, I wear high heels.
Pg,
I’m shorter than you. Many years ago I wore a lot of maxi’s, almost all Carole Little. The details were on the bodice. I always wore heels, often platform sandals. They were perfect for FL professional life. I had a few RL dresses too.
Styles come and go, but I have not been tempted to try a maxi in years. Those printed rayon pants have also come back in style. Give me light weight linen pants and I’m contented.
Moon child…I think 5’6" is quite tall enough to carry off a maxi. They have been in style for severl years, and I’ve been avoiding the look also, as I never found any that I thought I looked good in. I now know what to look for in the cut. I think it makes all the difference. I don’t like the more A- line maxis anymore than a- line skirts on me. Has to drop straight.
I am about 5’ 6" on a well-rested morning, and certain maxi dresses look good on me even without heels (I prefer espadrilles or low wedge sandals with mine). I have a dress similar to this one (a different print on the skirt), and it is my go to dress for HI travel:
http://www.modcloth.com/shop/dresses/adore-county-dress-in-chevron
Gosh, I’m only 5’1" and I wear maxi dresses and skirts. But I buy them in petite sizes and I’m careful about the proportions and fullness of the skirt.
I am also going to Italy this summer and will only bring three outfits for evenings. One of my purchases was this dress from Loft. I can dress it up with heels and jewelry or go more casual. It fits perfectly and I’m hoping I can wear it on several evenings there.
http://www.loft.com/petite-v-neck-maxi-dress/364220?colorExplode=false&skuId=18215953&catid=catl000036&productPageType=fullPriceProducts&defaultColor=6600
I also got lucky at Old Navy (which shocked me because I have never liked the way their dresses fit). I bought this dress online where they have petite options. It is surprisingly slimming considering the one I got has horizontal black stripes on a white ground. It looks like that one is no longer available but i like it so much I might order a solid color too. It looks great with a little cardigan. I will say that the dress comes to just the center of my knee and is not as short as the one in the picture.
http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=99298&vid=3&pid=344573022
I tried to edit my post #50 but it wouldn’t let me for some reason. This link is the actual old navy dress that I bought.
http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?pid=3445760124003&cid=1021772&locale=en_US
EPTR…not a link.
I suspect on shorter women you have to have a small waist to look good in a maxi. I unfortunately do not! I’m very straight up and down and I’ve got shoulders like a linebacker!
Thank you, Thumper. I think I fixed it.
Pizzagirl, you may be right. I do still have a waist (although not as tiny as it used to be). I’m going to enjoy dressing it up for as long as I can.
The other thing i like about maxi dresses is that they hide my horrible knees.
Funny how we all have different likes, dislikes, places we will go in fashion and places we wont’ go. I have never tried a maxi dress and can’t imagine wearing one because I don’t like anything “long” - no nightgowns, no tunics, no evening gowns - EVER! One day I’ll have to at least try one on though!
I think that sometimes, shorter women look good in them because they give us a longer line with less interruption.
I find that as I get older, I am willing to try things that I thought I never would in terms of fashion. If it wasn’t for CC I never would have tried leggings and now they have become a wardrobe staple!
Everybodies body is different too. I just won’t wear turtlenecks of any kinds because they literally make me feel like I look like a turtle. I was not blessed with a long neck and turtle necks accentuate my double chin. That is just something i will never wear. Spaghetti straps are another thing I avoid. Just can’t bear to show bra straps and hate wearing strapless.
Another old post resurrected…but not of substance like the rude restaurant couple.
Got my shortened, but not tapered, maxi dress back today. I’m not saying this just because, but it did turn out really cute. Perfect for walking around in hot summer weather. It flows nicely and still has that slimming effect, which I was concerned about. It hits me about 2 inches above the knees and looks nice with walking sandals. Let’s just say it will look a bit more fashionable and prettier than a pair of shorts. I wish I could show u a picture.