Stylish Shorts: The Best Way to Beat the Heat at Work

We all know it’s coming – that steamy, sweaty, so-hot-we-can’t-believe-it DC summer. Every year it hits us. One day it’s freezing; the next it’s scorching. One of the hot trends to hit the wear-to-work fashion world is shorts. They seem to be cropping up everywhere this year – from the red carpet to the board room. But can you wear them?

As you are probably aware, DC offices aren’t known for their daring fashion exploits. It’s pretty conservative around here, which has caused me to ask the question that will soon be on the minds of many hot, sweaty DC citizens: can I wear shorts to work?

Yes and no. Yes, you can wear shorts. No, you can’t wear just any pair of shorts (unless you are lucky enough to work at a place with no dress code, in which case I am extremely jealous right now.) Anything short, frayed, denim, gaucho, or spandex is absolutely out of the question (again, this may not apply to if you work in, say, a nightclub). If you work in the average DC office, stay far, far away from anything that is too short. This is not the type of economy where you can start taking crazy risks with your wardrobe.

Now, if I haven’t scared you off, let’s take a look at what shorts you can wear to the office. It’s pretty safe to say that unless your office is uber-conservative, it’s okay to wear any of the following: dress shorts, shorts that hit just above the knee, capri pants, or knee length shorts that are part of a suit. If you’re not sure what will work, look around your office and see what others are wearing. If that doesn’t give you guidance, check online for tips about wearing shorts to the office.

When choosing a pair of shorts for work, the first thing you want to consider is your body type. If you don’t wear shorts outside of the office, don’t wear them to the office. If you do, you’ll feel uncomfortable; lacking confidence is sure to make any outfit appear out of place. If you do wear shorts but tend to go for the Daisy Duke variety, remember to steer clear of your normal shorts preferences. Short shorts are not acceptable for the workplace. If you’ve decided to wear shorts to work, get some advice from a friend or sales associate about whether or not they are work appropriate.

Equally as important as what shorts you choose is what you choose to wear with them. Shorts can give off a more casual vibe so make sure to pair your pair with a dressy top, short-sleeved button down shirt, or a pair of killer heels. You can also dress up a simple top-and-shorts combo with necklaces and a dressy sweater to ward off the air conditioning chill. Both flats and heels work well with knee-length shorts so feel free to mix it up.

Shorts are a great way to style your summer wardrobe for work. They keep you cool while looking hot. With summer just around the corner, you can’t beat that. Check back soon for more beat-the-heat summer style tips on DC Lifestyle.