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🇮🇹 Italy /Culture & Society

Hot summer prompts office dress code changes: shorts now acceptable for men

From ANSA · () Italian

Translated from Italian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News From a news agency Context piece
  • Torrid summer temperatures have led to men adopting shorts and t-shirts in offices, a shift previously resisted by "casual Friday" policies.
  • Japan's "Cool Biz" campaign encouraged informal work attire to reduce energy consumption, now extending to t-shirts and sneakers.
  • Retailers in Britain report a surge in sales of shorts and linen trousers, blurring the lines between work and vacation wear.

Record-breaking summer heat has finally convinced many men to embrace shorts in the office, a sartorial shift that decades of "casual Friday" policies failed to achieve. The trend is particularly notable in Japan, where the government's "Cool Biz" campaign, launched in 2005 to cut electricity use by promoting informal work attire, has evolved. This year, employees are encouraged to ditch long trousers entirely and even wear t-shirts and sneakers.

The lines between 'commuter' style and 'holiday' style are blurring.

— Martha HibberdMenswear buying manager at John Lewis department stores, commenting on the changing fashion trends.

This move towards lighter office wear is not confined to Japan. Major retailers in Britain have reported a significant increase in sales of shorts and linen clothing as men seek breathable fabrics typically associated with warmer climates. Martha Hibberd, menswear buying manager at John Lewis department stores, noted that "the lines between 'commuter' style and 'holiday' style are blurring."

Sales figures underscore this shift. Marks and Spencer saw a 183% increase in men's linen trouser sales from June to July compared to the previous year. H&M, a major European fashion retailer, plans to introduce lighter garments and delay its autumn collections. "Apparently, there's no going back on climate change," commented Andreas Lowenstam, H&M's menswear design manager.

Apparently, there's no going back on climate change.

— Andreas LowenstamH&M's menswear design manager, reflecting on the impact of climate change on fashion.

Luxury brands are also adapting, with Hugo Boss expanding its range of tailored cotton shorts through its "Boss by Beckham" line. The trend is visible in financial centers like London and Frankfurt. However, some institutions maintain standards. A spokesperson for Norway's DNB bank clarified that while shorts and skirts are permitted, they should be "more elegant and of a certain length," ruling out "ballerina skirts or a pair of cheeky 1970s-style football shorts."

However, we are probably talking about more elegant items and a certain length, rather than a ballerina skirt or a pair of cheeky 1970s-style football shorts.

— Vidar Korsberg DalsboSpokesperson for DNB, Norway's largest bank, clarifying acceptable office attire.

In Warsaw, a bus driver protested the heat by wearing a skirt to work, citing discomfort from traditional polyester uniforms. "These materials make us sweat and overheat," he stated, identifying himself only as Darek.

These materials make us sweat and overheat.

— DarekA Warsaw bus driver who wore a skirt to work in protest of his uniform's heat retention.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ANSA in Italian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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