Blazer, button-down, booty shorts? Two of these we know as classic office staples but as of late it seems that shorts, leather ones in particular, are making waves in the sometimes very stringent world of office fashion. But how short is too short?
Honestly, it all depends on your workplace’s dress code. In most cases, a well tailored, bermuda-length pair would be fine (and, of course, crazy chic). Forever 21 has a (faux) pair that won’t break your budget. Just be sure to pair it with an office-appropriate blouse, like a ruffled blouse, or the aforementioned button-down. A crisp white or pale blue pinstripe version would complement the shorts—without drawing too much (unwanted) attention to them.
If your office is more lax about the dress code (Casual Friday everyday? Lucky.), you can get away with a shorter pair. Be sure to remember that fit and style are always critical—nothing too baggy or too tight, and definitely no distracting laser cutouts or mesh panels. If black leather shorts feel more nightclub than morning meeting, go for a less vixen-y navy blue or oxblood pair, like these J.Crew ones (sidenote: both would pop nicely with a simple gold or silver statement watch).
So if your workwear seems more tired than you are at the end of a long, grueling week, treat yourself to a well-fit, simple pair of leather shorts. Before you even realize it, you will be pulling them out to wear more than your favorite black trousers.
And who knows? Leather shorts might someday be just as appropriate as the black blazer (or, at least, semi-appropriate).
