Is this appropriate office attire?

[JulieNMM]

I have those same exact shorts in the first pic (they're called Bermudas) in bright pink and black. I actually wore the bright pink ones yesterday. Where I work, I can wear anything I want. Now that it's summer, I wear shorts, capris, or a skooter every single day. I haven't worn a dress, skirt, or long pants since March or so.

Then again, I work in an office full of hardware engineers (read: nerds) and no one cares what any of us wears.

JULIE

[Morrigoon]

Trust me... they care. That's why they're letting you wear them

j/k

An actual skirt just projects a bit more authority, as do pants with structure and a zipper. If you went into an office and the man behind the desk stood up and he was wearing shorts and a jacket, you'd laugh at him. Seriously! The shorts are cute for going out and about but not so much for work.

OMG that reminds me of a great story! My brother is an attorney, and he's also a judge Pro-tem at one of the local courts. Anyway, he goes to the court one day, on a day off, just to file some paperwork. He's walking around in shorts and sneakers, etc. Anyway, one of the judges called in sick and the court was desperately trying to find a judge to sit in. One of the clerks recognized him and they begged him to come in and sit for them, so they loaned him a robe, and here he was, hairy legs and tennis shoes, and a judge's robe! Luckily, the court they had him in had the judge enter from behind the stand, so nobody could see that.

Sorry, a bit OT, but the concept of someone in shorts and tennies in a professional environment just totally reminded me of that!

I think the walking shorts are totally inappropriate for anyone, anywhere (very unflattering, even to the skinny models on the Old Navy ads). The gauchos, I've already said I like - however, one person pointed out something very important: fabric and structure are critical in determining the acceptability of them! Brushed silk, for example, would be fine (except it's going to wrinkle all to heck), or rayon. But cotton or linen would look too casual. Darker colors would work, but lighter colors would not.

[NeverNeverland]

What the heck is a skooter???

[aimster]

Damn I sooo want YOUR job!!

No you wouldn't. Trust me.

And... is it wrong I paid more attention to the SHOES in the 2nd pic than the pants? I really have a disease... I'm a self-diagnosed/confessed shoe-a-holic. Seriously though... they're cute shoes!

[JulieNMM]

What the heck is a skooter???

A skooter is a miniskirt with shorts underneath. Or shorts with a skirt around it. Kind of like a skort but the skirt thing goes all around.

JULIE

[Cuzco-topia]

A skooter is a miniskirt with shorts underneath. Or shorts with a skirt around it. Kind of like a skort but the skirt thing goes all around.

JULIE

Oh, I really don't like those. They remind me of the coolottes concept. Are they a skirt? Are they shorts? Pick one already!

[dsnylndmom]

I have to agree picture #2 could work in a casual office.
The first one would really have to depend on the office, I can't see it going over well in too many places.......BUT -OT-I love those I love bermuda shorts, they can look cute and casual with a tank and flip flops or dressed up with a cute jacket, belt and wedgies like in the picture

[Joshrzmeup]

I agree with most of what's been said. The first pair looks too casual. The second pair is more business-like, stylish and comfy.

[MandaBella]

Oh, I really don't like those. They remind me of the coolottes concept. Are they a skirt? Are they shorts? Pick one already!

That's just it!! With coolottes, everyone knows they aren't real skirts. Skooters, on the other hand, appear to everyone else as a skirt, but only the person wearing them knows they are in fact shorts. For my body type, skirts that length are a lot more flatterning than shorts of the same length.

Personally, I love them. Most people assume it's just a skirt. I have several in denim, khaki, and in black. I can wear them in the Summer, Spring, and Fall. I can dress them up and down.

BTW, I didn't know they were called "skooters." I was just calling them "skorts."

[NatBrat]

Gauchos tend to um, cling, if you know what I mean. I am a champion bermuda short to the office wearer and will die if they take those away! I'm rather short, and regular slacks make me look like a 10-year-old playing "Go To The Office."

[sunnygirl]

I just bought 2 pairs of pinstriped capri pants for work. I myself don't see how they are appropriate for our office when so many other items don't make the cut, but they recently released a memo specifically stating that capris, gauchos, and bermuda shorts are acceptable attire.