tech
The Least Logical Fashion Rule
American dress codes seem to grow more lenient by the day. Jeans, sneakers, and T-shirts are ubiquitous among so-called white-collar workers. The taboo against shorts in professional settings, however, has endured. Here in Washington, D.C., the hot, humid summer air feels like a dog’s breath in your face. But legions of male office workers are expected to keep their legs bundled up, even as their female co-workers shiver in the air-conditioned chill. When I exposed my knees at the office recently—I’d biked to work and hadn’t had a chance to change, I swear—I triggered a lively discussion on Slack. I was made to understand that shorts were for children.
TL;DR
- The taboo against men wearing shorts in professional settings persists despite increasing acceptance of casual attire like jeans and sneakers.
- Historically, shorts were associated with children, but gained acceptance in sports and military contexts.
- A significant firewall has historically separated environments where shorts are appropriate (beach, club) from the office.
- Fashion figures like Tom Ford have reinforced the idea that shorts are inappropriate for men in professional settings.
- Reasons cited for the ban include aesthetic concerns about men's legs and a general lingering stigma.
- The trend towards comfort and changing generational attitudes suggest that shorts may eventually become acceptable office wear.
- The current dress code contributes to energy waste through excessively cold office air conditioning in summer.