Why Must I Suffer in the Heat?
April 25, 2008 – 8:40 amThe past few days have reminded me that we’re coming up on my least favorite season: summer. It’s the season when I sweat just by stepping outside. Heck, I can start sweating just sitting at my desk. It’s hard for anyone to keep cool once it starts to warm up, but on those sweltering workdays, it’s especially hard for men.
Women have it easy during the summer. If it gets too hot, they can wear a skirt. A skirt’s fabric can be light. It allows for airflow in places that are prone to sweating. It also allows skin to be exposed, rather than forcing it to suffocate behind wool slacks. In addition, short-sleeved or 3/4-sleeved shirts compliment a woman’s attire. These shirts again allow for airflow against exposed skin. This attire is considered perfectly acceptable in a work environment.
Meanwhile, men are forced to wear slacks and long-sleeved dress shirts whether it’s 20 degrees or 100 degrees outside. I’m not saying I’d like to wear a skirt to work, but why are they acceptable for women while shorts and short-sleeved shirts on men are considered informal? It’s not like there aren’t good-looking shorts out there. Okay, so the guy pictured here doesn’t look particularly stylish. But at least he knows how to stay cool on those hot summer days.
I say we start a movement. On casual Fridays, we should wear shorts with a short-sleeved shirt and tie. Oh, you say we’re underdressed for work? How can we be underdressed? We’re wearing ties! Slowly, we’ll ease our employers into the concept of accepting shorts in the workplace. And then, maybe someday, our arms and legs will stay cool, and we’ll keep our cool in the summer heat. Someday, we will achieve equality in attire.
17 Responses
I find this funny considering I’m wearing a t-shirt and jeans to work today… God it’s fun being a television producer.
By Aaron on Apr 25, 2008
Chris
I hate to burst your dreams of shorts in the “corporate”* work place.
My HR friends have told me one of the reasons they are banned - is the hair factor.
Seems the ones who make the rule books find hairy legs to pose a problem.
As I didn’t write any of these employee hand books I can not tell you the though process behind it.
I can however offer other suggestion regarding working environs that do allow shorts - and issue them within the uniform.
(Now I am not suggesting a change in career to alter your wardrobe - just passing along useless info)
Firefighter
UPS, Fed Ex delivery/driver
US Postal carrier
Department of Sanitation
Zoo “keeper” (I am sure there is now a more PC title, but whatev, as I stated, I am not in HR)
Professional Referee
I am sure you can find (several) more, - this is a quick random list of uniformed jobs.
Happy Friday.
By jane on Apr 25, 2008
Ugh; * should have been before the suggestionS
I need more sleep. Sorry, I know these errors are pet peeves.
By jane on Apr 25, 2008
you could always move to bermuda.
or become seasonally transgendered, thus allowing yourself to wear short linen skirts and sleeveless tops in the summer.
By keith on Apr 25, 2008
jane: So if I shave my legs, can I wear shorts to work? Because I’d almost be willing to do that.
By Chris on Apr 25, 2008
I think the socks that guy has on would make his legs sweat more than wearing dress pants would.
I guess mostly I am just glad I am a woman.
By Annie in MN on Apr 25, 2008
Chris - ask your HR dept.
Or you can go work for the Livestrong Foundation. As I am sure they’d be OK w/ shaved legs.
By jane on Apr 25, 2008
the people that make the rules are retarded. if a girl didn’t shave her legs they wouldn’t send her home, so why is hair on the legs even an issue?
By brooke on Apr 25, 2008
Think about it though Chris… there is a fair trade here…
Women can wear skirts, shorts, and short sleeves and get away with it….
Men… can exercise and walk around shirtless when NOT in a corporate setting and not get arrested for indecent exposure.
Fair trade? You decide.
By Beejus on Apr 25, 2008
Here’s the thing about skirts: Yes, they are a bit cooler than pants in warm weather, but they have their downside, too. Namely, in a skirt, you are far more restricted in movements and sitting stances, because the risk of being “unladylike” (and I think you all know what I’m getting at) is much, much greater. I’m sure we can all agree that the most comfortable stance when it gets to be hot is NOT sitting with legs tightly crossed for 8-10 hours. Actually, I think we can agree that’s not a very comfortable position no matter what the weather.
By meaghan on Apr 25, 2008
I consider it payback for years and years when women could ONLY wear skirts, and also for high heels.
By StuyGirl on Apr 25, 2008
I love women in skirts and high heels. It makes suffering in pants totally worth it.
By Todd on Apr 25, 2008
I work in the South. We have a HEAT INDEX here, usually (during the Summer) around 117. Yet, I still have to wear a full suit every day I go to work.
WTF?!?
By Cody on Apr 25, 2008
Men should shave their legs, there’s too much hair in the world :).
For the record I favor suits and dress codes, but damn if a Co. is gonna enforce it they should pay me more to be able to afford the proper attire.
By Monkey Butter on Apr 25, 2008
Chris,
I can’t even tell you what it means to hear another person say that summer is their least favorite season. I despise every single sweaty, miserable, stinking moment of it.
Thank you, thank you, thank you!
By Philip on Apr 25, 2008
Tell them to crank the AC in your office. I end up looking ridiculous on the train because I wear jeans and sweatshirt everyday because my tv studio is 55 degrees everyday (even in the summer). let’s just say walking out at 4:30 or 5:00 is pleasant.
for the record, girls, we appreciate the skirts and heels and all the effort that goes into wearing them. so thanks, keep up the good work.
By Tyler on Apr 28, 2008
If I wear a skirt to work in warm weather I am comfortable while commuting to work and then miserable for 8 hours in my 30 degree office.
By Janine on Apr 29, 2008