Can Men Wear Shorts to the Office? A Guide to Summer Workwear

It’s a sweltering summer morning in Australia. You haven’t even left the house yet, and you’re already sweating through your shirt, with a packed train and an eight-hour workday still ahead of you. And yet… you’re still expected to turn up to the office in trousers. 

For years, shorts have been deemed too casual for most corporate workplaces, even as office dress codes have become more relaxed. Sneakers are acceptable, ties are mostly optional and, depending on where you work, you might even get away with wearing a T-shirt. But shorts? Apparently, that’s where HR draws the line.

So, in 2026 and moving into 2027, is it finally acceptable for men to wear shorts to work? And if your workplace does allow them, how do you make sure you look professional rather than like you’re heading to a Sunday BBQ? We spoke to Melbourne image consultant and stylist Christina Robert White to find out.

Can Men Wear Shorts to the Office?

The short answer is yes, but it depends on where you work. According to Robert White, there’s a strong argument for allowing men to wear shorts in the workplace, particularly during Australia’s notoriously hot summers. Unfortunately, workplace expectations haven’t quite caught up.

“I’m team men and pro-shorts, but we have to wait for societal change and workplace policies to catch up,” she says. “I don’t think it’s fair that men often aren’t permitted to wear shorts in corporate jobs when it’s boiling hot. But it comes down to how you want to come across in your work environment.”

In more relaxed industries like IT, retail and creative agencies, shorts may already be perfectly acceptable. Traditional corporate workplaces, however, tend to have stricter expectations, particularly for employees who regularly meet with clients.

“Would you take your banker, your lawyer or someone at one of the Big Four seriously if they had shorts on? That’s the unfortunate truth at the moment,” Robert White explains.

Of course, whether someone looks professional shouldn’t necessarily come down to how much of their legs are showing. But until workplace attitudes change, it’s worth considering the expectations of your industry, your employer’s dress code and the people you’re meeting with.

So while we’d love to declare that office shorts are officially acceptable everywhere, the reality is a little more complicated. If you’re working in a creative studio, you’re probably fine. If you’re presenting to the board of a major bank, you might want to stick with trousers for now.

How to Wear Shorts to the Office

The good news is that dressing professionally in shorts isn’t particularly difficult. In fact, Robert White’s advice is to approach them in the same way you would a smart pair of chinos.

The key is choosing the right cut, fabric and length, then pairing them with pieces that make the overall outfit feel workplace appropriate. 

1. Choose Structured, Tailored Shorts

As you probably already know, not all shorts are created equal. The pair you wear to the beach probably isn’t going to cut it in the office, no matter how expensive it was.

Robert White recommends starting with chino-style shorts, ideally in a structured fabric. “The more dressy you’d like your shorts to look, the more structure you should bring,” she says. “A reasonable-weight cotton sateen with a small bit of stretch gives you structure and lets you move well.”

Look for a tailored or tapered shape rather than anything excessively baggy or tight. Pleated shorts can also work, particularly in more relaxed workplaces.

As for colour, navy, black, beige and khaki are fail-safes. They’ll match with most of the shirts and shoes you already own.

2. Get the Length Right

When it comes to office shorts, length is one of the most important factors. While shorter shorts have made a comeback in men’s fashion recently, the office isn’t the best place to experiment with a particularly revealing pair.

“Most shorts finish a few inches above the knee at the moment, but ask yourself: will the shorts look comical?” Robert White says. “I’d be really hesitant about true mid-thigh or shorter.”

For most workplaces, a pair that finishes just above the knee is a safe option. And if you find a pair you love that’s slightly too long or wide, don’t be afraid to have them tailored.

3. Pair Them With a Smart Shirt

If you’re going to wear shorts to the office, the rest of your outfit needs to look slightly more elevated. Robert White recommends a structured button-down shirt, ideally with a little stiffness to the fabric, tucked neatly into your shorts.

“My ideal outfit would be tapered chino shorts with some structure and a little bit of sheen, a shirt with some starchiness about it, a leather belt, and loafers or very clean, sleek white sneakers,” she says. “Tuck your shirt in with a full tuck, not a half tuck. Even in a casual workplace, still bring the tone up to smart casual.”

A crisp Oxford shirt will never lead you astray, while a knitted polo can work in workplaces with a more relaxed dress code. Linen shirts are another good option for summer, although you’ll want to make sure they aren’t excessively crumpled. A little texture is fine, but looking like you’ve just pulled your shirt out of a suitcase is not the look you want to be going for. 

4. Choose Your Shoes Carefully

Shoes can make or break an office shorts outfit. A well-tailored pair of chinos can quickly slide into too casual territory when paired with chunky running shoes, while the right loafers can perfectly tie the whole outfit together.

“A smart leather or suede loafer is the way to go, and a boat shoe can also be acceptable,” Robert White advises. “Sneakers can work too, but they need to be super clean, not your super sporty ones.”

Her other recommendation? Invisible socks. “The invisible sock is very, very important. Visible socks will really bring the tone down and have that daggy appearance.”

That’s Robert White’s approach for a traditional smart casual office look. While visible socks can certainly work as a fashion choice for weekend wear, no-show socks are the more conservative option if you’re trying to keep things professional.

Office Shorts: The Dos and Don’ts

For a quick rundown, here’s how to make shorts work in a professional setting.

Do	Don’t
Choose tailored chino shorts with structure	Wear baggy cargo shorts or boardshorts
Aim for a length around or just above the knee	Go excessively short in a conservative workplace
Stick to versatile colours like navy, beige and khaki	Wear loud prints unless your workplace is particularly relaxed
Pair shorts with a crisp shirt or smart polo	Wear a crumpled T-shirt or sloppy singlet
On your feet, choose loafers, boat shoes or clean minimalist sneakers	Turn up in dirty running shoes or thongs
Add a leather belt and understated accessories	Assume shorts are appropriate for every meeting or workplace
Check your workplace dress code	Assume casual Friday means anything goes

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What Shorts Should Men Avoid Wearing to Work?

Even if your office allows shorts, that doesn’t mean every pair in your wardrobe is suddenly workplace-appropriate. Robert White is firm on avoiding anything that looks overly casual, worn out or better suited to the weekend.

“Avoid sloppy old shoes, crumpled linen shorts, and elastic-waisted shorts that are better served at a backyard barbecue,” she says. “The same goes for daggy, baggy cargo shorts, or shorts that have seen better days and belong in front of the TV. And denim shorts are a big no.”

In other words, leave your gym shorts, board shorts, distressed denim and oversized cargo shorts for outside work hours. That’s not to say these styles can’t look good elsewhere (of course they can). But if you’re trying to convince your boss that shorts deserve a place in the office, turning up in the pair you wore to Bunnings last weekend probably isn’t helping your case.

The Best Office Shorts for Men

So, where should you look if you’re ready to introduce shorts into your work wardrobe? Robert White recommends brands including M.J. Bale, Tommy Hilfiger, Hugo Boss and Reiss, with Ralph Lauren and Dolce & Gabbana being her picks for high-end office shorts. Below are some of our favourite finds.

Dolce & Gabbana Tailored Shorts – $1,250

Reiss Regular Length Cotton Chino Shorts – $175

Hugo Boss Relaxed-Fit Shorts in Stretch-Cotton Twill – $269

Ralph Lauren Hand-Tailored Cotton Gabardine Short – $1,499

M.J. Bale Menorca Side Tab Short – $139.95

Dior Pleated Chino Bermuda Shorts – $1,850

Calibre Tailored Shadow Check Shorts in Navy – $279

Aere Tailored Pleated Shorts – $100

The Verdict: Should Men Be Allowed to Wear Shorts to Work?

In a perfect world, the answer would be a simple yes. If women can wear skirts and dresses to the office during summer, it seems only fair that men should have a similarly comfortable option.

But as Robert White points out, workplace dress codes and professional expectations are still catching up.

For now, the best approach is to know what is and isn’t acceptable in your workplace, dress for the day you’ve got planned and, if shorts are allowed, make sure you’re wearing a pair that’s professional and stylish. 

And who knows? The more men start wearing them to work, the sooner we might finally retire the idea that showing a little knee is somehow unprofessional.

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• Men’s Smart Casual Dress Code Guide
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• Your Summer Office Dressing Guide
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