Everywhere you look over the past few summers, you see shorts taking on a dressier role. Everything from capris, to gauchos to bermudas and even short shorts are being worn with dressy shoes and touted as appropriate for the office.
So, are shorts appropriate for the office? My answer is “yes” and “no”. Here are a few questions that I have for you before I give my answer.
Does your workplace have a dress code? If so, it probably addresses the issue of shorts. When all else fails, read and follow the directions.
If not, is your office trendy, modern or conservative and classic? If your office is classic, I am thinking that the gauchos may be okay but the other forms are just too casual. Is your office dressy or business casual? In many cases, longer shorts with a jacket and accessories to dress them up are more acceptable in a business casual environment. Unless you work on the beach or at a summer camp, never wear shorts, a casual or sleeveless top and casual shoes such as flip flops.
What part of the country are you in. The East is far more conservative than the West and the technology industry is far more into “self expression” than the banking industry. Look around you. Are the people who have the job you want wearing shorts to work? If so, then go for it!
Click here to learn more about Business Casual.
Click here for an article on Business Casual confusion in USA Today.
