In comments, Colleen mentions the Shorts Slideshow at the New York Times, which is rather amusing if you’re following the Dress for Success discussion from yesterday. (Jim and I just watched it together. It’s fair to say he won’t be wearing short shorts anytime soon.)
One of the aspects of workplace fashion that I find interesting is how certain things really offend certain people. And we all have these items that seem completely offensive to us. I mentioned my mom forced pantyhose on to me due to her notion of propriety (also slips) and this sense of the necessity of having my legs covered, which may explain why I don’t wear skirts or dresses anymore. However, I’m seeing the same sort of rising sense of propriety in myself when I see all these photos of men in shorts. Please put on some pants! (And get a tan! What is with the whitest legs in New York City contest. A little sun is okay). And, yes, I know I do sound like a big prude.
Of course, you can wear whatever you want. I’m simply commenting on the slide show and the notion of seeing that much of anyone at work. And, thanks to GhostGirl for this lovely image, which really is a bit much.
July 31st, 2008 at 10:27 am
I’m from Germany where small swim suites are the norm, not boxer shorts. A cousin of mine who was visiting kin in Florida was banned from the pool because he was ‘indecent, this is a family pool, only gay people wear this’.
I’m feeling gayer all the time…
July 31st, 2008 at 10:31 am
Yes, the Europeans do love their short shorts! You don’t see too much of that here in rural LA County.
July 31st, 2008 at 10:33 am
I thought the throw-away line in the article (somewhere) that legs are considered “private” on men was interesting. They’re not quite sexual, but there is a sense of impropriety in showing them, just like women having sleeveless shirts at work.
July 31st, 2008 at 10:39 am
Yeah, that’s pretty interesting, and explains my reaction to seeing that much male leg. Although I’m thinking some (or much) of this is cultural as Martin points out.
July 31st, 2008 at 2:05 pm
HAHAHAHAHAHA! I remember that picture.
Dude, I have so totally seen worse. Just… not in real life thank god.
July 31st, 2008 at 2:32 pm
That just seems…wrong, somehow.
July 31st, 2008 at 5:41 pm
The older I get, the more I just want everyone to show up at work sheathed in a full-body condom–men and women. And over that, perhaps a woolen habit or a hairsuit.
August 2nd, 2008 at 2:45 pm
Wow, those guys look…bad.
I worked on a dig once in California with a guy who wore short shorts with no briefs. Every time he sat down (invariably in that spread-leg stance that guys do), the shorts pulled away from his legs. You could see everything. *shudder*