Rethinking Summer Workwear as Heatwaves Become Routine
As global temperatures rise and heatwaves become increasingly frequent,men wearing shorts at work many workplaces are re-evaluating their dress codes. The debate over whether men can wear shorts at work is heating up, too. While shorts have long been considered casual or even inappropriate in professional settings, evolving workplace cultures and changing fashion norms are starting to challenge these old assumptions.
At his branding agency in Northumberland, Tony Hardy has embraced a more relaxed approach. “We wear shorts all the time,” Tony says. With nine employees at his company, Canny Creative, he encourages staff to dress comfortably, especially after their air conditioning broke down. “Imagine sweating buckets all day and being really uncomfortable, and then expecting them to also turn out great work,” he adds.
Office Culture Gets More Casual
The shift towards casual office attire accelerated during the Covid pandemic. Remote work culture allowed many employees to dress comfortably at home, often skipping the formality required in physical offices. Personal stylist Karina Taylor observes that office fashion “has just gone so casual” in recent years, with jeans and trainers becoming common in many workplaces.
Style editor Carmen Bellot of Esquire notes that video calls contributed to this trend: “People no longer had to think about the bottom half of their outfits.” Shorts became a staple for many working from home, but wearing them to a physical office remains a more divisive issue men wearing shorts at work.
Survey Says: Shorts Are Gaining Acceptance
A 2022 YouGov poll revealed that 66% of Britons believed it was acceptable for men to wear shorts in the office—up from just 37% in 2016. The poll took place during one of the UK’s hottest days ever, further highlighting how extreme weather may be influencing these attitudes.
Still, the appropriateness of shorts at work largely depends on context. Stylists agree that client-facing roles in industries like law and finance generally require more conservative attire. For other industries, especially creative sectors, dress codes are often much looser.
Corporate Policies: The Mixed Approach
Several companies shared their dress code policies with The Morning News Informer. Consultancy firm Accenture and British American Tobacco indicated that while they don’t have explicit rules, employees are expected to dress comfortably and professionally. PwC allows employees to make “appropriate decisions” about attire, and Santander permits casual wear, as long as it’s not “beachwear.”
Social media marketing agency We Are Social takes an even more flexible stance, allowing some employees to wear hot pants to the office. “You can wear what you want,” says managing director Lucy Doubleday. This approach reflects the company’s emphasis on creativity and individuality men wearing shorts at work.
The Right Type of Shorts
If your office allows shorts, the style matters greatly. Experts recommend choosing tailored, knee-length shorts that resemble business casual attire. Denim, cargo, sports, and beach shorts are generally inappropriate. “You may be pushing the boundaries,” personal stylist Nick Hems warns, advising employees to observe what colleagues are wearing before making a decision.
Gender Differences in Workplace Fashion
Interestingly, women often face less scrutiny when wearing shorts in professional settings. Carmen Bellot points out that many men feel self-conscious about wearing shorts outside of vacation settings, whereas women generally don’t share that hesitation.
Primary school headteacher Dave McPartlin, however, proudly wears shorts to work during hot summer months. “The students don’t treat me any differently based on what I wear,” he says. “I don’t think they could care less.” Similarly, account administrator Diane Brander finds shorts more comfortable than skirts or dresses during warm days at the office.
Shorts at Work: Proceed with Caution
Karina Taylor offers practical advice: “Only wear shorts to work if you’re confident about your company’s dress code and how to style them. If in doubt, probably avoid, because it will cause you far too much stress to get the look right and you maybe won’t feel confident about pulling it off.”
Conclusion: A Changing Norm or Temporary Trend?
As workplaces become more inclusive and adaptable, men’s fashion norms are slowly catching up. Whether shorts become mainstream in office settings may ultimately depend on how companies balance comfort, professionalism, and cultural expectations. For now, tailored shorts may offer a safe middle ground for men looking to beat the heat without breaking the rules.
