As a professional fashion editor, I’m probably not the ideal person to consult about business casual attire. I wouldn’t last ten minutes under a stringent professional dress code—my notion of an office-appropriate attire is black lipstick and a ragged Justin Bieber T-shirt (yes, I did wear that to work). But I can help you flout old workwear standards in a trendy way—and get away with it. That, my reader, is my specialty.
Personally, I enjoy pushing the boundaries of professional clothing. I’ve arrived in a Manhattan high-rise dressed in everything from sweatsuits and high heels to blazers and no pants, and my colleagues and bosses have complimented me on it. And, while I wouldn’t recommend doing it yourself (unless your employer is very, really cool), there is one outmoded workwear regulation you should definitely break: wearing shorts to work.
Though they are obviously not conventional by business professional standards, shorts can work for most other dress codes—if the hemline is just right, the cloth appears costly, and the styling is spot on. A stylish pair of high-rise crepe Bermuda shorts can look great with a matching blazer and high heels, regardless of the dress code. Want to know more? Continue reading for all of the fashion-forward ways to wear shorts to work.
I’d like to begin this post by reiterating my prior statement regarding Bermuda shorts—which was completely true. A tidy, pleated skirt paired with a beautiful ruched blouse and a colorful statement belt? Your boss will not only adore this outfit, but she will most likely replicate it herself.
Not all office dress codes are equal. Some professionals, not just fashion editors, get to have fun with their workwear, and such individuals should save this outfit for later. A colourful pair of chequered shorts can be worn with anything from turtlenecks and blazers to sweaters and button-downs. Depending on how you dress them, they can have an edgy-cool or posh-professional vibe.
This may sound ridiculous, but please hear me out. Without the hair shoes and XL purse seen above (which I actually love, by the way), a cherry red suit may be very wearable. For a more understated approach, style it with loafers and a plain black necktie.
