Who Wears Short Shorts?
As temperatures soar this summer, the debate over men wearing shorts has become a cultural flashpoint.
A recent New York Times Op-Ed argued that men should “accept their fate” and “never wear shorts to the office.” The columnist cites "leg-hair harassment" experienced by female colleagues who are confronted with men's "verdant limbs."
New York magazine has labeled this season “the summer of male shorts anxiety.”
Celebrities like Brit pop sensation Harry Styles and Irish actor Paul Mescal regularly expose their muscular limbs. These men have great legs and a tendency to show them off; Styles wears short shorts on stage and off, and Mescal wears them everywhere.
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| Styles in London |
Showing off sensational legs was once a woman's prerogative. Now it seems to be a male thing.
When I worked, I would never have considered wearing shorts to the office. I’d have felt exposed, unprofessional, and just kind of gross.
When I worked, I would never have considered wearing shorts to the office. I’d have felt exposed, unprofessional, and just kind of gross.
It's probably a generational thing. According to an article in The Atlantic, 75% of Millennials consider shorts in the office acceptable.
But can you imagine Don Draper pitching Lucky Strike or Chevrolet while wearing shorts? Or Tony Soprano stripping down to shorts at his strip club, the Bada Bing? What about your male boss calling you in for a review with his legs exposed?
But can you imagine Don Draper pitching Lucky Strike or Chevrolet while wearing shorts? Or Tony Soprano stripping down to shorts at his strip club, the Bada Bing? What about your male boss calling you in for a review with his legs exposed?
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| Dad and me at Giza, 1986 He had the right idea. |
As temperatures began to drop in September 1998, I remember my dad, who wore shorts only when playing tennis, asking me whether I owned any pants. It was an intervention of sorts.
Today, even on summer’s hottest days, I wear shorts only at home. I wouldn’t be caught dead going to brunch or even running errands with my legs showing. I was appalled to see a man in shorts at a nice restaurant the other evening.
The only exception to my current no-shorts rule would be a workout setting, and even then, I don’t think men should do anything more than go to the gym and back in shorts. No errands, no gas station, no drugstore run.
I acknowledge that my views on shorts may be anachronistic. I’ll take that over looking like a slob.
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| Sloppy, sloppy: Paul Mescal in short shorts |
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I’m so glad we said goodbye to shorts. The minute I wear them in public, I feel like a slob. I’d rather be hot and uncomfortable in pants than cool and sloppy in shorts.
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