Got a question for Sachin? Send it to fashion@askmen.com or tweet him @SachinBhola.
How To Wear Shorts - To The Office
Hey Sachin,I live in the South and can't figure out what to wear these days. I started a new corporate job a few months ago, and while the office is nice and cool, my commute (I walk for part of it) in the heat is killing me....
"I work in a corporate area, and, honestly, I rarely see men in shorts, unless it's the odd tourist who thought Midtown East was bumping at 9:00 a.m."
Got a question for Sachin? Send it to fashion@askmen.com or tweet him @SachinBhola.
How To Wear Shorts - To The Office
Hey Sachin,
I live in the South and can't figure out what to wear these days. I started a new corporate job a few months ago, and while the office is nice and cool, my commute (I walk for part of it) in the heat is killing me. I get sweaty and uncomfortable, and am wondering if wearing shorts to the office is OK. What about shorts in general?
Thanks,
Jamie
I feel you, Jamie. I live in New York, and this summer's been hotter than hell. For a lot of guys, wearing shorts is up there with sandals and man bags: Once a certain line's been crossed, we feel like we're in unmanly territory. We have no reservations about wearing an adult-size version of the loose-fit cargo shorts we wore as boys, but ask us to get into something that's slimmer and falls above the knee -- ring the alarm.
Problem is, you can't roll into work in your weekend shorts. First off, what's your office dress code like? Are the other guys in your office wearing shorts? On casual Fridays? I work in a corporate area, and, honestly, I rarely see men in shorts, unless it's the odd tourist who thought Midtown East was bumping at 9:00 a.m. That doesn't mean you can't wear shorts; it just means you have to decide how comfortable you are with them.
If you've given shorts the green light, choose the right pair. A lot of retailers are now referring to the office-appropriate short as "smart shorts." Think of these as the shorts version of a suit trouser: flat-front, fits well, dark, solid color. My advice is to keep it simple: Boat shoes, like a Sperry Top-Sider, navy "smart shorts," a white polo, a navy blazer and a brown vintage leather briefcase is a stylish way to pull of shorts at the office. Finally, if you're prone to sweating, beat the heat with my tips on sweatproofing your clothes.
How To Wear Shorts - Chicken Legs
Hi Sachin,
I'm 22 and have really skinny legs. I'm a bit self-conscience wearing shorts. How can I pull them off?
-Steve
You should never wear shorts. Duh.
Just kidding. Of course you can wear shorts. Just as with any part of your body, legs can be downplayed. First, avoid pairing your shorts with anything that will emphasize the size of your legs, like loose-fit tees or baggy hoodies, as they will only exaggerate how skinny your legs are. This is a common mistake I see with guys -- they think they're hiding it, but the unbalanced proportions only highlight it.
Next are the shorts themselves. You might be tempted to reach for a baggier fit, but don't. Your legs will just end up looking like bean poles supporting a makeshift tent designed for a family of four. Instead, choose shorts -- and other items -- that actually fit your skinny body type, as everything will look balanced. Other things to keep in mind are to wear lighter colored shorts rather than black, because they'll only further slim you, and to choose shorts that fit just below the knee, since the more leg you show, the more you'll be highlighting them.
How To Wear Shorts - Creatively
Hi Sachin,
I'm a musician, and my band and I are going on tour in August in the Southwest. I was wondering about some cool ways to wear shorts.
Thanks,
Leonard
I live in a neighborhood full of artists, musicians and models, and I see a lot of them wearing shorts with black worn-in rocker boots. (Something like you'd see at AllSaints Spitalfields or at John Varvatos.) Obviously this isn't something I would recommend to, say, Jamie (see question No. 1), but for your world, this makes sense. It's a cool off-duty look, and you can throw on a deconstructed blazer once the show's over and you're hanging at the bar.
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