Is it OK to wear shorts in the office? We asked the experts
There is a silent debate raging in the workplace, an unspoken war of knees and shins and inseams and socks. There is sun, there is sweat and there are shifting concepts of what it means to be professional.
There is one central question: Are shorts in the office acceptable?
Some say absolutely not and others ask why not, and now, as June heads toward July, is the time to ask. The Star turned to a fashion designer, stylist, university professor and workplace culture consultant to get to the bottom of what's acceptable, what's not and how to figure out the difference.
Don't like shorts? Blame tech companies — and the pandemic
Michael Halinski says he has never worn shorts or sandals to teach at Toronto Metropolitan University, where he's a professor in the school of business management and studies workplaces and organizational change. He's not a purist, though. He has worn T-shirts.
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He said there's been a shift in workplace dress over the past 20 years, propelled by three distinct influences.
The first is the rise of tech companies. From the Steve Jobs turtleneck to the Mark Zuckerberg T-shirt, Silicon Valley has embraced a more relaxed dress code and has, in turn, pushed other industries to loosen theirs.
The second, Halinski said, was the pandemic. Working from home inspired more relaxed attire and it became commonplace to see coworkers wearing T-shirts or sweaters on Zoom calls. There's even a term for the video call outfit: the mullet. Business on top, casual on the bottom.
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There's also been a shift in the treatment of employees.
'People were robots. You were not allowed to show any empathy, you were not allowed to show any emotion,' Halinski said. 'The acceptance of differences, diversity, emotions … perhaps has allowed for greater acceptance of different dress codes.'
It depends on the workplace
There are still many different approaches.
Carol Ring, an Ottawa-based workplace culture consultant, has seen rules that run the gamut. There are authoritarian codes with strong language and threats of disciplinary action, 'almost like parents scolding children,' and there are more trusting policies.
The policy at Ross Video, a Canadian live production company, works with the mantra of 'dress for the day,' Ring said. A day spent in your own cubicle allows for casual wear. A meeting with clients demands more professional attire. If you're presenting to the board, you probably want a suit and tie.
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'They trust their employees,' said Ring, a former Rogers executive. 'They empower their employees to dress appropriately.'
TD has changed its dress code to be more relaxed when an employee isn't meeting with a client, Halinski said. Shorts are probably still frowned upon.
Shorts can give the impression of a workplace that is 'loose and carefree and casual,' said Tracy Richardson, a media image consultant and stylist. That's why it matters if your job will be public facing that day or not.
'(If) a client comes in, what it says is, this is a casual environment,' Richardson said. 'It can come across as not having respect.'
Ultimately, you should read the room before wearing shorts to work, advised Michael Jafine, the Toronto-based head designer of Ahiri, a womenswear label.
How to decide whether to wear shorts …
Richardson believes shorts shouldn't be worn at work. For Jafine, it depends on the circumstances, but ultimately, he advises caution.
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'For the men reading this article who have no clue about fashion,' Jafine said, 'don't wear the shorts. Don't do it.'
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Ring offers a three-step decision process. First, check the dress code, if there is one. Next, consider if you can perform your job safely in shorts. Finally, consider having a conversation with your manager. 'Just say, 'I'm curious. Under what circumstances would it be acceptable for me to wear shorts?''
Halinski suggests a simple rule: 'Dress the way your boss dresses.'
… and how to pull it off
If you've decided to wear shorts, Richardson suggests a pair of chinos or linen shorts, sitting just above the knee for men or a little higher for women. Avoid loud colours, Jafine said.
'(Stick) to more neutrals, dusted colours, grayed-out shades,' he said. 'Classic silhouettes, something with a little more of a tailored approach.'
But for those looking for a clear answer on the shorts debate, you're out of luck. It doesn't appear to be headed to a resolution.
'Will there be a time when shorts are accepted? I don't know,' Halinski said. 'I think there's always going to be this tension.'
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