With summer fast approaching, you may be wondering about stylish, work-ready shorts (and yes, they can be worn to the office!). “It depends on the office culture where you work, but … a structured, longer-length short is definitely the rule that I would go for,” says MT Meikle, co-owner and founder of La Closette, an agency in Toronto that offers personal styling services. “No denim cut-offs or athletic shorts or shorts that fall from mid-thigh up.” For shorts that you’re planning to wear to the office, it also makes sense to invest in tailored styles in nicer fabrics that look and feel similar to the blazers, skirts and pants in your work wardrobe.
Bermuda shorts, which are knee-length and typically have a looser fit, are a popular option for women this season. For a flattering fit, Meikle suggests looking for a pair that ends at mid-knee, in a lightweight linen or wool blend, or tailored suiting fabric. It’s a style that can work even for shorter women; just ensure they don’t go past the knee. “If you wear them with a good loafer or a pair that hits mid-knee, it’s very flattering,” Meikle says.
Capris are also trending this year, but Meikle warns that they can be tricky to pull off. “I definitely don’t recommend capris that stop mid-calf,” she says. Instead, look for a pair that fall to just below your knee, or go all the way to just above your ankles. Pair them with an oversized shirt or knit, or a longer blazer.
For men, Harry Rosen style adviser Mansor Nooristani, suggests looking for a tailored, structured pair in a nice fabric like cotton twill or a linen blend. “Flat front and subtle pleats are really in right now,” Nooristani adds. Neutral colours like charcoal, black and navy won’t ever go out of style, but the colours that are trending right now are olive, light pastels, taupe, cream and off-white.
Nooristani suggests pairing your shorts with a knit polo or tucked-in Oxford shirt, and accessorizing with a suede or leather loafer. If you want to add a blazer, look for one that’s fully unconstructed, with a soft shoulder and no padding.
“There’s a term in Italian called ‘sprezzatura,’ which means effortless style, so [your outfit] looks like you just put it on, but it looks tailored and all the colours are working together,” Nooristani says. That’s the goal when you’re styling shorts for the office.
Six buys to try
In the men’s section
NN07 Kay Pleated Panama Shorts
Stay cool in the heat in these relaxed-fit, viscose-and-linen-blend shorts by Danish label NN07. Style them with a co-ordinating blazer for a chic, monochromatic summer look.
Zara Pleated Suit Shorts
Wear these tailored, polyester-blend shorts with the matching blazer, and finish the ensemble with a nice leather belt. The dark navy colour offers versatility, and the front pleats add a bit of detail.
Beams Plus 2Pleats Shorts
These relaxed fit, tropical wool-blend shorts by Japanese menswear label Beams Plus can be dressed up for the office, but would also look great with an oversized T-shirt or smart button-up on the weekend.
In the women’s section
RW&CO Bermuda Shorts
Crafted from a lightweight fabric blending viscose, wool and cotton, these tailored shorts feature a nine-inch (23-centimetre) inseam and two front pleats. They are available in two colours and in sizes 00 to 16.
Banana Republic Italian Wool Bermuda Shorts
These office-ready tailored shorts with a 13.5-inch (34-centimetre) inseam would look great with a co-ordinating blazer, a fine knit sweater or your favourite button-up. Available in petite and regular fits.
Massimo Dutti Linen Melange Capris
You can wear these 100-per-cent linen capris with the matching blazer for a dressy summer look, or style them with an untucked shirt or oversized knit.
