I wore Shorts into the office today and apparently this is an unusual decision, according to various others in my office.
We have a generally accepted informal "dress down Friday" policy in our office, but it's quite odd how taken aback some people seem to be by the idea of someone wearing shorts in an office.
I'm just waiting or [I]that[/I] conversation with our office manager Re: "appropriate / professional attire"...
Is anyone else getting this sort of dusty, raised eyebrow treatment from their co-workers for owning legs?
I'd be sent home to get changed and formally disciplined.
my office is very large and i'd say a very large porpotion of men have been wearing shorts every friday (we have dress down friday too) I've pushed the boat out even further today and wearing sandals, not with socks though!!
Yeah, at the start of the week. By yesterday, half the blokes at work were sporting shorts. I draw the line at sandals though 😆
tip for keeping cool: put your desk fan on the floor and point it at your bare legs, keeps you cool without blowing paper all over your desk. Also helps to blow away any desk bound emissions 😳
Two of our bosses were wearing shorts yesterday which sets a precedent, if I was wearing shorts today I would be stung to bits 😕
Shorts? Sandals? Pfft. Speedo's and flip flops here. I always wear them while the tour is on. To celebrate the true heroes of the race - the drunken, overweight, mahogany French gentlemen running alongside the riders in their budgie smugglers.
One of my colleagues was out at our NZ office a long time ago.
All the locals turned up to work in below-the-knee shorts and suggested he may wish to do the same, since wearing a suit in the middle of summer was not the done thing.
The only shorts he had were a pair of VERY short running ones, but he decided those would do and turned up wearing running shorts, his shirt tucked in, his Church's and socks!
They still mock him for it over a decade later 🙂
We have a dress down day today and I'm in shorts. I've never done it before so we'll see what the reaction is when I get to the office!
I think I would last about 3 days in that environment before I realigned somebody's shakras using the age old method of ramming a ball point pen up their nose
If you're sporting a sober Bermuda I'd say that's [i]professional attire[/i]; more tricky to argue the case for gold hot pants ...
Not being the sort of person that has a job but so I've never experienced these rituals..... what is the point of dress down fridays? Whats the point of having a dress code- then only applying it 80% of the time.
What other formal or moral codes do offices relax every week?
Fiddle your expenses Fridays?
Poor Hygiene Wedsnesday? (we'll not shake hands on that deal)
Drunk by lunchtime Thursdays?
Incest Tuesdays?
I am lucky enough to work in quite a relaxed office. People actually pass comment when I am not wearing shorts.
if they want me in trousers then they can get air con.
Productivity goes down as the T goes up; best for all of us that we keep cool.
Drunk by lunchtime Thursdays?
With the exception of academia, where I am currently, in all my jobs as a computer programmer drunk at lunchtime Fridays has been the norm. I never drunk that much because I had to bike home though. It didn't worry me that much when I worked in London and everyone got the tube home, but when I had the job on the trading estate in Nottinghamshire, the number of people who would happily drink 3 pints of beer at lunchtime then drive home 3 hours after was scary.
With the exception of actual alcoholics, academics don't appear to drink during the work day very much at all, which is kind of nice in a way - I'd rather get off early than waste time with that Friday afternoon drunk in the office feeling.
Oh, and did no one tell you, British Shorts Time started on March 31st, and ends on October 27th, so obviously I'm wearing shorts today.
only been in my new job for 10 days for the 1st couple of days i was trying to be relatively smart, trousers, polo shirt etc
ive completely given up now, baggies and metallica tshirt today
With the exception of 'public facing' roles, I can't see any reason for people to be smart at work - I'd rather they were comfortable and happy, producing their best work, than stuffy and uncomfortable and unable to concentrate on their job properly
years in boiler suits/scrubs might have coloured my belief though - I've certainly been pulled in for 'the discussion' in subsequent jobs!
Just wear a skirt. Threaten them with discrimination if they complain. In this office there are blokes in suits and women wearing slight summer clothes. Not fair.
Shorts & sandals are specifically banned as part of our dress-down Friday dress code, to be honest it's a good thing IMO given the general appearance of some of the people I work with...
I don't mind wearing a shirt/suit trousers the rest of the time, it's tie-wearing I rebelled against (and the dress code has been relaxed since if not customer-facing), the thought of wearing a bit of coloured material around my next to look smart always seemed ridiculously out-dated to me.
I've got linen trousers on today, that's working out rather well. I could do with some lighter shirts though.
I'm considering cycling to Paddington this afternoon without changing to cycling gear. If I go slow and unbutton my shirt I might be able to keep the sweat under control.
If I go slow and unbutton my shirt I might be able to keep the sweat under control.
There must be a perfect commuting speed: fast enough to generate a cooling breeze but slow enough not to generate too much sweat. I've yet to work out what it is.
No dress code where I work (I as a researcher in a university) but I always feel a bit awkward if I'm not wearing at least a shirt and some shoes. I could rock up in shorts, sock and sandals and an old t shirt if I wanted but it just feels a bit wrong to me 🙁
whatnobeer - Member
No dress code where I work (I as a researcher in a university) but I always feel a bit awkward if I'm not wearing at least a shirt and some shoes. I could rock up in shorts, sock and sandals and an old t shirt if I wanted but it just feels a bit wrong to me
It's the complete opposite in my department. Anyone wearing a tie gets starred at.
our office is colder now than it is in winter - air con cranked up to the max.
my nod to dressing down (which we don't have) is rolling my sleeves up (to show off my cycle tan).
Top tip - if your dress policy is like ours and only allows "Smart shorts", golfing shorts do the job nicely. Cheap from sports direct too.
(ps. I chose navy blue ones and they are bit too 'postman' like!)
I used to wear shorts at work from around March to October. I work from home now so the rules are a little more relaxed.
I work from home now so the rules are a little more relaxed.
stark boll*** nakkid then?
It's the complete opposite in my department. Anyone wearing a tie gets starred at.
Its weird, no one ever wears a tie or a suit unless its for official visits or interviews etc, but most of the more senior staff manage to find a suitable smart/casual mix. Maybe it's because I'm probably the most junior member of staff, but I just feel like I'm not in work mode if I'm not in a shirt.
blokes in suits and women wearing slight summer clothes. Not fair.
Dont start me on that. Men are pretty much limited to wearing shirt/trouser/shoes combo here, not much else fits the policy. However with weather like this, some of the ladies in our office have rolled into work like they're just strolling home from a day at the beach!
A group of boys in a Cardiff high-school wore skirts the other day to school because they werent allowed shorts. Mildly tempted to do the same... or maybe not.
My boss stuck her finger in a lamp socket the other day to check whether it was a bayonet or screw fitment.. she forgot to unplug it and got electrocuted. She also couldnt figure out how to write 2456.78 on a paying in book without it looking like 2,456,780.00
She has enough trouble making it through the day to worry about what i wear 😆
[i]she forgot to unplug it and got electrocuted[/i]
Condolences to the family
Now and again, when we get customers in I've to dress up but as I'm usually on the shop floor it's more a case of wearing long combats to keep clean and have enough pockets to carry all the crap I have to carry round with me 🙁
But this week short sleeved shirt and baggies with leg pockets have done the job nicely 😀
Drac, you need to stir up a union frenzy! I tried a few years ago to get everyone to cut down our recently replaced "slightly lighter green" trousers, and wear shorts when it was silly hot, but not enough people were willing to go for it to be effective!
On a project I was on we had a dress down friday policy. I turned up in shorts and flip flops. Got taken aside by the boss, I pointed out she was in a mini skirt and flip flops. It was agreed to drop the subject.
DezB - Member
Top tip - if your dress policy is like ours and only allows "Smart shorts", golfing shorts do the job nicely. Cheap from sports direct too.
Thats a great idea, much smarter than my current shorts. Thanks Dez
Was at a seminar type thing yesterday with about 40 people - far too many were wearing sandals and the already stuffy air in the room was gently fragranced with the aroma of sweaty feet 🙁
Equality for all.
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at mrs' work (social services) a girl got told off for wearing a vest top with thin straps, I think one of the reasons given was what if she ended up in the same room as a sex offender alone it might enflame his passions. 🙄
They've also been told not to wear "nice" things as it may be demoralising for the people they help.
boss came round the other day, made a jokey comment about shorts and Tshirt, not sure how serious he was being, not heard anything since.
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Kilts FTW 🙂
Good point - can a kilt be considered smart attire?
I worked in Bermuda for a while
They have it sorted
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You should only wear Bermuda shorts with Long Socks and a shirt/tie otherwise you'll get taken aside
Been wearing shorts and tshirt/summer shirts for the last 2 weeks here 😀
Bloody typical, just bought a load of new work clobber too! Ho hum...
Oh, and did no one tell you, British Shorts Time started on March 31st, and ends on October 27th, so obviously I'm wearing shorts today.
Pretty much my clothes policy since 1988, when I started riding mountain bikes, and didn't have pasty white legs.
Fortunately I've been able to work in places that don't give a toss, which, considering my aircon isn't working, is a bloody good thing!
Currently wearing a rather ripped and worn, but very comfy pair of Fenchurch desert camo shorts, and a Sombrio riding shirt with a mesh back for ventilation. And my fan on full blast about fout feet away.
commuter mode 🙂
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Shorts update time. To put this into context, I am (a) female and (b) already seen as a bit “different”. I am comparatively well paid and have a free parking space at the office, but mainly cycle to work (and when I don’t I drive a Berlingo). Not an Audi or BMW in sight. I often pad around the office in Birkenstocks and keep my heels under the desk for client meetings. I also have no interest in playing the corporate game which bemuses people. I’m the only person from my team here today, and my line manager works in a different office.
Anyway, I’m wearing shorts and nothing has been said. However, no-one else is – other than the summer work experience bloke to whom I should really raise a hat. Brave choice of attire, sir, particularly when you’re essentially on a two week interview. I haven’t checked the policy to be honest, but I’m showing no more leg than some of the skirts and dresses I’ve seen today reveal. I did at least change out of my running shorts (I ran to work this morning for a change)...
[i]I worked in Bermuda for a while
They have it sorted[/i]
Cool knees.. hot calves! No thanks.
I'm in a large civil service office, where my regular use of baggies, sandals and a soft summer shirt these last few weeks has finally lead to a few others taking the plunge so now a few blokes are in shorts or 3/4s. There are still plenty of smart trousers, jackets and ties though among the men and yet much lighter gear worn by the women. I can't undertsand the reluctance among most staff, who only rarely meet the public and could follow the example of their head of office- me!
could follow the example of their head of office [s]me![/s] by shirking on the internet
I can't undertsand the reluctance among most staff, who only rarely meet the public and could follow the example of their head of office
it's like any uniform:
- it helps differentiate your attitude from when you're not at work
- if avoids the office becoming a fashion parade
- it is generally cheaper to have office clothes that are different to casual clothes
My boss (Father in law) sits next to me in chinos and a Short Sleeve shirt
I'm here in nicely pressed 13" Dickies Work shorts and a (what can best be described as) Short Sleeve blue/brown/white check Cowboy Shirt.
I do also have some rather nice Volcom Brown w/black pinstripe shorts of a very similar style to the Dickies, and in fact I wore them at my sisters wedding last week with some nice smart shoes (hidden trainer socks!)
I was the only one in shorts and all the other guests were jealous! (the the invite said Smart summer wear, the groom would not be wearing a tie or jacket)
Inside our Portacabin Office hit 35 deg 2 days ago!
Two of our bosses were wearing shorts yesterday which sets a precedent, if I was wearing shorts today I would be stung to bits
Beekeeper?
I once worked in an office where on dress down fridays and weekends, 3/4 shorts were permitted. This bit was clearly aimed at the women. My 3/4 humvees were reluctantly tolerated, as they were technically, tailored, not baggy.
I've been working at Sky TV this week and loads of the office workers are in shorts, I reckon I would melt if i had to wear trousers in that place.
In my office there are always at least one man and one woman in shorts whatever the weather. I think they are running on something like 7 winters of shorts and they are not going to crack yet.
But that's pe teachers for you
Shorts not allowed in our office either, not on dress down day and not when the AC had failed and it was 29C.
AC fixed yesterday, guess what? A pleasant 22C and the women are whinging about the chill and have fleece jackets or jumpers on! Can't win.
Shorts from march to november.... as part of uniform. Some of my colleagues wear them 365 days a year. ... one of the joys of royal mail 🙂
Glad I'm my own boss. Shorts ,collar and flip flops. It's hot FFS.
so glad we can wear what we like at my office.
I even spend a day wearing my biking tights as i forgot to put the work trousers in my bag when biking to work, no one noticed that but when i was walking around barefooted due to my shoes getting soaked everyone noticed 🙂
molgrips - Member
Good point - can a kilt be considered smart attire?
My kilt (and associated kit and caboodle) is far and away the smartest attire I own.
Plus a kilt is ethnic attire - can't prevent you wearing it as it's discrimination.
Although as a mate pointed out, is a yard of wool really the cooler option?
What is the problem - never mind dress down Friday it sounds like BO Monday - Friday at these places. When I worked in England I was repremanded for going "shirt sleeve order" in a very hot spell 30deg +.
Pure BS. Keep up the good work and remember that school in Cardiff and the Stockholm train drivers (working for a Scottish company) and dont dismiss the skirt/kilt option.
our office is colder now than it is in winter - air con cranked up to the max.
Yay climate change!
I'm very glad to say I work somewhere where you can wear whatever you like, pretty much.
Well as it panned out the only other shorts wearer was our menopausal, mad as a box of frog receptionist, which didn't help me make the case for shorts.
I wasn't pulled to one side but eyebrows were raised, and various comments were chipped in... Apparently one only wears shorts if visiting the seaside.
We are subject to random visits from our clients and a degree of professional opp presentation is expected, but they didn't visit today and I bet half of them were in shorts today...
If the weather is the same next week I'm going to wear shorts again, hang the consequences!
Apparently in Germany you can go home and still get paid if your office is over 25C, or something.
There must be a perfect commuting speed: fast enough to generate a cooling breeze but slow enough not to generate too much sweat.
This is nonsense. Every commute is a time trial. You should be ashamed!
I used to wear shorts to work on dress down fridays during the summer until I was threatened with disciplinary action, because my tattoos could be considered offensive. I asked them what the colour of my skin has to do with anything... (I don't have any offensive tattoos).. They soon changed their mids about the tattoos and brought up the fact that I'm a management grade and its not considered 'right' for management to wear shorts and that I should think more 'golf course casual' what ever that means, when considering my attire for the day...
Same shit every day whatever the weather for me, even when there's 30 sweaty kids in the room and its about 35 degrees.
been given the dressing down by me boss for wearing shorts & a white tshirt. You look like a student not staff, I pointed out that her son who works here wears trainers, trackies & a hoodie all year round and another member of staff rarely buttons his shirt up past his belly button & is covered in tats.... So today I'm in hope dh shorts & a gay pride tshirt 🙂
