Style

Shorts in the City

by Paul Conneally | July 20, 2009 at 07:36 am

376 views | 30 Recommendations | 4 comments

With summer now here the question of if it's ever OK for men to wear shorts to work at the office is now a hot topic in London as stores such as the U K's John Lewis reveal that pinstripe and other 'city shorts' are this year becoming a menswear 'must have'.

In Italy and other chic dressing warm countries it has long been fine for guys to wear smart shorts to work in the office.

In the UK many employers are still sending men home from work if they turn up on a sweltering day wearing even the smartest of 'city shorts'.

bureau de change
a man in pinstripe shorts
checks my passport

Don't people get their knickers in a knot about men wearing shorts? As long as they're the right shorts, what's the problem? I have worn a pair of tailored city shorts to two summer weddings in recent years. Both times I felt liberated by the experience and found myself accosted by curious men – the bulk of whom simply wished they'd thought of the idea themselves.

Getting your legs out initially feels weird but you soon appreciate the cooling effect. I also felt more relaxed in shorts – not that I skimped on smartness. On both occasions I wore a blazer, a shirt with a tie and smart shoes (crucially with invisible socks) recreating the traditional suit look, minus a little extra fabric.

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Amy Judd

at 10:23 on July 20th, 2009

I wear smart shorts to work, but I can't say I've ever seen a man wear them here - although Canada is a lot more laid back, but I have to say, I wouldn't want my lawyer wearing shorts for example.

Blaine Metzgar

at 10:25 on July 20th, 2009

Men's smart shorts and dress shoes sans socks--it's a good look.

Beaulieu

at 03:57 on July 27th, 2009

When I worked in Sydney, our director used to come in wearing shorts. It makes sense. I wasn't bothered at all, as it just looked like a uniform. I think more Brits should wear them. Who makes up silly rules that men can't wear shorts?

However, some men with skinny legs can look a bit funny but maybe they could go for a longer type of shorts.