Record heatwaves are achieving what decades of corporate “casual Fridays” could not: bringing men to the workplace in shorts. Driven by rising temperatures, Tokyo led the shift this year by expanding its signature “Cool Biz” initiative to encourage metropolitan staff to wear shorts, T-shirts, and sneakers to the office. Across Europe, employees have quickly followed suit, blurring the line between office wear and vacation attire. Major retailers report a surge in demand for lightweight clothing, with John Lewis noting a shift toward Mediterranean-style garments and Marks & Spencer reporting a 183% jump in men’s linen trouser sales from June to July. Brands like H&M are delaying autumn collections to adapt to longer summers, while luxury labels like Hugo Boss are expanding tailored shorts offerings—including high-end designer pairs.
Despite the growing popularity of summer office wear, corporate responses remain mixed across European business hubs. Some organizations have embraced the trend with clear boundaries; Norway’s DNB bank allows shorts provided they maintain a smart, modest cut, while Swiss Re’s management reminded staff that shorts remain strictly weekend attire. In response to rigid corporate rules, workers and labor organizations are pushing back. German unions IG Metall and Verdi are advocating for relaxed dress codes to protect employee health during extreme heat. Meanwhile, grassroots protests are emerging, such as a Warsaw bus driver who wore a skirt to work to protest hot polyester uniform trousers, sparking a popular petition demanding permission for drivers to wear shorts.
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