### **Shorts in the Office: Are They Acceptable Workplace Attire?**
As summer temperatures rise, the debate over whether men can wear shorts to the office continues. Tony Hardy, founder of a Northumberland-based branding agency, embraces a relaxed dress code, allowing employees to wear shorts for comfort—especially with broken air conditioning. A 2022 YouGov poll showed that 66% of Britons now approve of office shorts, a significant jump from 37% in 2016. Stylists attribute this shift to post-pandemic casualization, where remote work normalized relaxed attire. However, shorts remain a “grey area,” particularly in client-facing industries like law and finance, where professionalism is key. Experts advise checking company policies and observing colleagues’ attire before opting for shorts.
### **Company Policies and Styling Tips for Office Shorts**
Many companies, including Accenture and PwC, encourage a balance of comfort and professionalism without strict bans on shorts. Santander permits casual wear but draws the line at beachwear. Stylists recommend tailored, knee-length shorts over casual styles like cargo or denim. Some creative agencies, such as We Are Social, fully embrace personal expression, even allowing hot pants. Tony Hardy’s team wears shorts to client meetings, arguing that rigid dress codes may signal incompatibility with their creative ethos. Meanwhile, primary school headteacher Dave McPartlin champions shorts for practicality, dismissing outdated workplace dress norms.
### **Gender Perceptions and Personal Comfort**
Stylists note that shorts are more divisive for men, with many feeling uncomfortable wearing them outside of vacations. In contrast, women often find shorts a practical alternative to skirts. Diane Brander, an account administrator, says her productivity improves when she can dress comfortably. Ultimately, workplace acceptance of shorts depends on company culture, industry standards, and personal confidence—proving that while dress codes are relaxing, the debate over office-appropriate shorts is far from settled.
Ez a cikk a Neural News AI (V1) verziójával készült.