Heatwaves Prompt Men Across Europe to Swap Trousers for Shorts at Work
Rising summer temperatures have led male office workers in cities from Tokyo to London to adopt shorts and lighter clothing, with retailers reporting strong sales of breathable garments.
Tokyo’s metropolitan government took its long-standing “Cool Biz” policy a step further this year, encouraging employees to forgo ties, jackets and even long trousers in favor of T-shirts and sneakers as heatwaves intensified. The shift resonated across Europe, where retailers such as John Lewis, Marks and Spencer and H&M reported soaring demand for linen shorts, trousers and other breathable fabrics, with Marks and Spencer noting a 183% rise in men’s linen trouser sales compared with the previous year.
Hugo Boss introduced a line of cotton tailored shorts, and major business districts from London’s Canary Wharf to Frankfurt saw more professionals in lighter attire. Responses varied: Norway’s DNB permitted smarter-length shorts, while Swiss Re’s Gianfranco Lot reminded staff that shorts are a weekend item. Unions IG Metall and Verdi urged companies to relax dress codes amid hotter summers, and a Warsaw bus driver’s skirt protest prompted a petition that has gathered over 400 signatures seeking permission for shorts on public transport.
Why it matters
The trend shows how climate-driven heatwaves are reshaping workplace dress codes and retail demand across major economies.
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