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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
Lifestyle
Clare McCarthy

The unusual clothes bans Irish tourists need to know from bikinis in Spain to shorts in parts of Italy

When you are packing your suitcase for your summer holiday, the last thing on your mind is whether or not the clothes you are bringing are against the law.

But Irish tourists can find themselves in trouble with the police in certain countries for wearing clothes that are banned in the area you are visiting.

People caught breaking the rules might just be told to cover up, with a warning from the local authorities, but certain breaches could see tourists fined hundreds of euro.

From bikini bans in Spain to leggings in Qatar and certain colour in the Caribbean, here are some of the unusual clothing bans you should know before you book your trip:

Bikini ban on the street in Spain

While topless bathing, and even nudity, is common on some beaches in Spain, it is a different story altogether once you step off the beach.

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Tourists in Barcelona or on the island of Mallorca who attempt to walk down the street in their bikinis, swimsuit or swim trunks could be ordered to pay fines of up €300.

For men, being topless has also been banned in some areas of Spain, so make sure you bring a t-shirt and cover up before you leave the beach.

No leggings in Qatar

The majority of the population of Qatar is Muslim, and they have asked non-Muslim tourists to dress in a certain way when visiting the country.

In 2014, a modesty campaign called Reflect Your Respect asked visitors to cover up from shoulder to knee and to avoid wearing revealing clothing and swimwear away from the beach or pool.

Leggings were singled out as an inappropriate item of clothing to wear in public, with the campaign's pamphlet stating: "Leggings are not pants.'"

Camouflage in the Caribbean

Wearing camouflage in a number of Caribbean countries is banned for tourists as it is associated with military uniform and they don't want civilians mistaken for police officers.

The 'no camouflage' rule is enforced in several countries including the Bahamas, Barbados, Jamaica, Grenada, Dominica, St. Lucia and St. Vincent, Trinidad and Tobago, and Antigua and Barbuda.

Tourists found wearing a camouflage t-shirt or shorts could be fined and have the item confiscated.

Shorts in the Vatican

As a religious state, tourists visiting the Vatican city in Rome are expected to adhere to a modest dress code that keeps their knees, shoulders and upper arms covered.

This means that shorts or skirts above the knee, sleeveless tops, and low-cut shirts are all banned - for men and women.

Those who are not wearing the correct attire but still want to enter St Peter's Basilica can buy a poncho or robe to cover up for going inside the church.

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