7 easy tricks to help you get away with wearing shorts to the office

How to wear shorts to work

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Shorts are versatile, stylish and most of all, we love them because we can do anything in them comfortably without worrying about flashing our colleagues.

Unfortunately for most of us, when the weekdays roll by, we have to stow these babies in the dark corner of our wardrobe because of draconian office dress codes.

Not anymore. Today, we show you seven tricks on how you can push the dress code boundaries without getting undue notice.

All you need is a couple of smart styling moves to make a shorts-based outfit sophisticated and work-appropriate, and sometimes even more professional-looking than a short dress!

Intrigued? Here’s how you can style your wardrobe favourite to chic perfection for the workplace. For your shopping consideration, we’ve also included some recommendations that will get the job done. You can thank us later.

Image: Bermuda shorts, $45.90 by Zara

Crepe short, $271 by Rochas from The Outnet

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1. Material is key

Only wear luxe looking materials like satin, crepe or even lace. These expensive looking materials will help to enhance the “professional” look of your outfit. 

We’d recommend that you avoid soft cotton because it creases and bunches up very easily – you’ll look sloppy when your shorts are all scrunched up at your mid-thigh.

Go for sturdy cotton instead and make sure the fabric doesn’t cling onto your skin.

Embellished striped twill shorts, $350 by Zimmerman from The Outnet

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2. Knee-length shorts are your best bet

I am sure most of us Singaporean women would remember the over-the-knee rule that our discipline mistresses in school were always going on about – the hemline of your skirt should not sit any more than three fingers above your knees.

This #throwback rule applies to shorts when wearing them to the office as well. For offices with a more relaxed dress code, you can probably go up to mid thigh at the very most.

Crepe culottes, $181 by Alice + Olivia from The Outnet

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3. Go for tailored iterations

Many shorts often come in casual and somewhat sloppy cuts, so it’s important to go for those with polished tailored silhouettes that fall well on your hips. 

Figure-hugging and baggy silhouettes should be avoided because the former may make your crotch area look uncomfortable and the latter makes you look like you are wearing pyjamas.

 

Jersey blazer, $3,224 and  Linen shorts, $925 both by Lorno Piana from mytheresa.com

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4. Go for a layered outfit

Styling shorts with a fitted blazer or long line vest will elevate your otherwise casual ensemble. If you are serious about the shorts-to-work business, you should get matching tailored outerwear to pair with your shorts.

The co-ordinated look will not only save you time in the morning, but you’ll be perfectly on-trend, too – the shorts-suit combo is actually secretly taking over the pantsuit in popularity.

Pleated wool-crepe shorts, $1528 by Gucci from Net-A-Porter

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5. Try a wide leg cut 

Apart from making a style statement, the wide-leg silhouette is also a good way of creating the illusion of a skirt when it comes to shorts. The floaty and fluid draping helps to distract the eyes from identifying it as a pair of shorts.



 

Fabric kitten heels, $89.90 by Zara

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6. Covered shoes

To be honest, there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to your choice of footwear.

However, I would recommend women with stricter office dress codes to only wear covered shoes if you want to sport shorts.

Slingbacks, peep toes or sandals may make your outfit look more casual than you intended it to.

 

Gold tone brooch, $286 & Silk Scarf, $583 both by Loewe

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7. Accessories seal the deal

Accessories are a definite gamechanger. Choose small statement pieces like a brooch or a silk scarf to punctuate your ensemble and make your look more polished and well put-together.