Dress for Success: Shorts at the Office
Are shorts ever appropriate at the office?
Even though I work in an extremely casual environment, I still think there are certain items of clothing that should never be worn to the office. Daisy Duke shorts are a prime example. If you dare to wear these, you’ll instantly attract the wrong kind of attention, particularly from upper management.
The other day at work, I walked by a woman who looked like she belonged on the beach in Cancún rather than in the office: She was wearing flip-flops, a tank top and tiny shorts. While this woman has a model-caliber figure and probably wanted to take full advantage of a rare sunny day in Seattle, she certainly attracted the attention of my co-workers. Just not the kind you want to get while on the job.
If you want to stay cool and still look professional in the summer, Bermuda shorts are a great alternative. These knee-length shorts will take you from the park to work to happy hour and everywhere in between. Try pairing them with tasteful heels, a lightweight blouse and either a cardigan or a blazer.
Here's an example of what you don't want to wear to work:
Photo: Roxy All 4 U Denim Shorts, $42.50 at Zappos
Here's an example of a work-appropriate outfit:
Photo: J. Crew Bermuda shorts, $58 at jcrew.com.
What do you think? Are shorts ever appropriate in the workplace?
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