Career: Shorts at work - allowed or embarrassing? The test!

Things are going to get heated in the coming days: Am I allowed to wear shorts to the office now? Or are shorts inappropriate or even embarrassing at work?

BILD spoke to Linda Kaiser, deputy chairwoman of the GermanEtiquette-Society and business etiquette trainer.

The most important rule first:

Professionalism must be maintained.

But whether shorts are really okay in the workplace depends on many factors.

Check here if shorts are suitable for your job:

Attention! Not all shorts are created equal

Shorts are definitely acceptable at your workplace? But you're still not quite sure? Then the following tips might help you:

Prints or bright colors on shorts quickly appear inappropriate
Avoid pants that go well over the knee (3/4 pants) or are too short (hot pants). The pants should “skirt around the knee,” says etiquette expert Kaiser
Shorts that are too tight? Better not!
Synthetic fabrics promote sweating – this can be uncomfortable

Short pants Wearing them means that everyone can see your legs. But your socks shouldn't be visible. Short sneaker socks can help. Or you can go without socks.

Be careful: open sandals can quickly look inappropriate – and your feet should be well cared for.

What are the colleagues doing?

The etiquette expert’s golden tip: “You should always dress better, but never worse, than average.” All you need to do is look at your colleagues’ legs.

And what if shorts just don't fit your job? Do it like they do in Italy: airy linen trousers keep your legs cool – and can be very elegant.

The way you choose your wardrobe influences how you feel and how you are seen. Whatever you wear, shorts or not, the important thing is that you feel comfortable.

The exceptions to the rule

Of course, these rules are not set in stone. Every office, every employer and every employee is different.

Some companies have rules, others leave the choice of outfit entirely up to their employees. And of course there are jobs where safety regulations require certain clothing.

Do these rules also apply to women? Yes. But there are many items of clothing, such as dresses and skirts, for which completely different clothing standards apply. But this article is not about them.