I am 35 and wear tailored shorts with long sock to work (office job). How would peope view this.?

Question

I have had some good comments, but sometimes I feel I am getting odd looks. I am 5ft 8" in good shape. I keep my socks up and straight, buisness shirt is always neatly tucked. I don't wear loud colors, grey and navy shorts with various shades of long grey socks. Always with black lace up shoes. My wife says I look neatly presented, my brother in law recently said "Are you forced to wear that?" Another friend said I was lucky to be able to wear shorts to work, he wished he could. Mixed comments bring me to ask this.

I have had some good comments, but sometimes I feel I am getting odd looks. I am 5ft 8" in good shape. I keep my socks up and straight, buisness shirt is always neatly tucked. I don't wear loud colors, grey and navy shorts with various shades of long grey socks. Always with black lace up shoes. My wife says I look neatly presented, my brother in law recently said "Are you forced to wear that?" Another friend said I was lucky to be able to wear shorts to work, he wished he could. Mixed comments bring me to ask this.
I live in Australia.

Answer 1

I wish this were in fashion - unfortunately it's not. I agree that it looks smart and much less formal than dress pants, not to say much cooler!

I think that this look is especially good if one is fit, has a good calf structure and well-proportioned thighs. It's also a much better look with a work shirt that is short-sleeved - this also adds to the less formal look. Tie is optional, but, in my opinion, preferred.

Socks really MUST stay up though - as it just looks sloppy if they don't. This can be achieved with rubber bands or garters or, if ones calves are shapely, just by themselves.

In Australia, this look is de rigeur in summer for bus drivers, Royal Australian Navy officers, security officers, and some office workers. Unfortunately, it's not exactly fashionable for the under 50s and, as a result, I'm not brave enough (at just 28).

Answer 2

I'm about your age, and if I may be frank with you ... ?

Neither black lace-up shoes nor knee-high socks of any color look good with shorts ... unless you are a mailman, an elementary school student, playing softball, or wearing some other uniform. Shorts look better with low or no socks, and sandals or slip-on deck shoes.

Having said that, how would I view it? Meh, I wouldn't care too much. The first time or two I might internally raise an eyebrow but after that I probably wouldn't even notice it anymore and I'd be more likely to pay attention to other, more important matters ... such as, if you do your job well at work and are easy to get along with. Besides, I'm no fashion plate myself and I don't really care too much if someone doesn't like what I'm wearing. I dress to please myself, which is one of the freedoms we have earned at our age!

Answer 3

NO ONE wears high socks in the US. That's the weird looks I'm sure. The style is to wear socks that don't show above your shoe and if you're wearing black dress shoes you must look truly geeky. Go buy some nice black tennis shoes, some socks that are inside your shoes and before wearing any of it, get out and get some sun on those legs because if you've been wearing high socks you have got to have some serious tan lines. I don't mean to be nasty, but I'm 47 years old and I wouldn't be caught dead in what you just described!

Answer 4

Looking nice is always a good Idea wen your working in a office. If u feel so bad to ask this questions here in yahoo answers u need to do something about it. Go to a nice store and try it for some days if u like it keep it nice. U will like the complements!

Answer 5

I would say shorts and long socks sound less than fashionable. More importantly, it is certainly not appropriate in a remotely formal environment. I can honestly say I would never wear shorts to work, period. I think it sounds rather tacky. I mean, would you go to a job interview like that?

Answer 6

In most societies "short pants" are considered juvenile, as a matter of fact, going from short pants to trousers was a mark of manhood, hence the mixed messages. However, this is an outdated and archaic view point. If your employer approves (and your wife obviously does) and you are comfortable, don't worry about it.

Answer 7

If I met you in my office, and you were wearing the outfit that you just described, my first impression would be that maybe you are a little quirky.Long socks and shorts is not "fashionable" but if you like it and it is your style or you can pull it off then be happy and wear what you want.

Answer 8

Where do u live? The only place I know of that still accepts that type of dress code is Bermuda! You may look neat, but fashionable it isn't. Sounds like everyone is trying to point out the postives without telling you directly that they don't like it. Take a hint! Sorry , just calling it like I see it ! Good Luck!

Answer 9

At first i thought this was a woman with the office job wearing this. If your job approves be yourself at 35 years old. You should be comfortable with who you are and what your style is by now. Get over it.

Answer 10

Well, here's the thing. I think you are reallllllllly lucky to get to wear shorts to work. Sounds like you are too concerned about what other people think. Just enjoy your luxury !