There’s one big office fashion question that Aussies can’t agree on

It’s getting hot in Australia and men across the country are ready to break one unspoken office rule.

Summer might start in December, but Australia is already heating up and a controversial question is now being asked by sweaty Aussies.

The Bureau of Meteorology has officially declared an El Niño weather event, so sweltering during your work commute will become routine.

The recent hot flush has seen us running off to Kmart to buy $20 fans and back to trying to fit into last summer’s clothes.

It has also brought up a hot topic that has long divided the nation: “Should men wear shorts to work?”

More than 50,000 Australians took part in news.com.au’s Great Aussie Debate survey, answering questions on everything from work, politics and dating, to using your phone on the loo and wearing shorts in the office.

It found 40 per cent of women and 47 per cent of men agree that both genders should be able to rock shorts in the office.

Interestingly, 45 per cent of women and 28 per cent of men think wearing shorts to work is not acceptable for any gender group.

People aged 18-29 are more likely to accept men wearing shorts at work, while people aged 50-59 are less likely to think it is OK.

Considering Generation Z wear crop tops and double denim to work, you might have thought office dress codes were no longer an issue, but the truth is Aussies still have a very strong opinion about workplace fashion.

Generation Z dress more casual. Picture: TikTok/nic0c0butter

Double Denim is apparently an appropriate option. Picture: TikTok/luxegirlofficial

Some Aussies think getting the stems out at work is divine, while others believe it is a firm no-go.

The issue is clearly huge, so news.com.au headed to Bondi Beach in Sydney to get some answers. To highlight the issue for everyday Aussies, we brought along journalist and shorts fanatic Andrew ‘Bucky’ Bucklow.

We then took it upon ourselves to ask strangers if they thought his outfit, which involved shorts, a puffer jacket and a nice shirt, was office-appropriate.

The responses were as mixed as a box of Cadbury’s Favourites.

Should you wear shorts to the office? Picture: news.com.au

Yep this is a fashion work look. Picture: TikTok/sagencore

Bucky living it up in his shorts. Picture: news.com.au

One Aussie took one look at the shorts and shirt combination and said “no” before explaining it was simply too “casual.”

Another said it was fine as long as it looked “professional” and deemed our example as a pass.

Someone else explained it depends how “long” the shorts were, which gives every woman flashbacks to getting her skirt length measured in high school.

Another shared they felt envy over the option to wear shorts because they couldn’t at their job working in a fine dining restaurant.

One lady declared it was “fine” and even offered a compliment and said Bucky looked “lovely.”

Someone else declared that Bucky’s shorts were actually too “short” in general. So, not just for the office but for society.”

Even on the mean streets – OK, very nice streets – of Bondi, it became clear that Aussies can’t agree if men should wear shorts in the office.

So what do the experts say?

Human relations expert Leah Akoka explained that “appearances” in the workplace shouldn’t be dismissed because they impact your “physiological wellbeing.”

“Research shows a correlation between physical appearance and psychological wellbeing. How you feel when you are dressed well helps with self-esteem and confidence,” she told news.com.au.

“The perception people have of you, your social and professional standing is also impacted. You will feel better if you are well groomed and look good.”

So, is that a no to the shorts?

Not precisely, but Ms Akoka pointed out that if 45 per cent of women and 28 per cent of men disapprove of guys wearing shorts in the workplace, that does have a direct impact.

“That suggests you are likely to be perceived as less professional by those same people. This should be enough of a deterrent to wear more professional attire,” she said.

So, yes, you can get your legs out at work but you might find yourself being the talk of the office.

Originally published as There’s one big office fashion question that Aussies can’t agree on