Men's Short Suits for Spring?

by Nicole Weston (RSS feed)
Sep 14th 2006 at 10:01AM

One of the trends seen in many lines for Spring 2007 was the men's business suit with shorts, rather than pants. The Perry Ellis design, pictured, illustrates the idea. Designers love it and seem to be convinced that it is the wave of the future.

Not one to dash their hopes, but this is one trend that won't carry over once it is off the runway. Men don't want to wear them and the buyers for stores like Neiman Marcus and Saks know it; the suits are being passed over at almost every level. While the idea of being cool and comfortable in a professional environment is appealing, it doesn't seem like the business community is ready to embrace the business short look.

The two reasons that men can't wear the short suits are (1) a lack of appropriate footwear and (2) hairy legs.

In reference to the first issue, sock-less loafers do not look professional and socks and dress shoes do not look good with shorts. There is no popularly accepted footwear for men to pair with suits like these in the office. The second issue is bigger. The young models the designers use have minimal body hair and very well-toned legs. The average middle-aged business man, who would have to accept the trend for it to become acceptable office attire, does not necessarily have these two physical characteristics - and we have a hard time believing that either leg-shaving or stockings will become popular for this demographic.

As an alternative to traditional suits, this trend is one that doesn't have a (pants) leg to stand on.

Tags: business, fashion, men, men's, pant, pants, short, shorts, suit, trend, trends

Filed under: Apparel

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Nicole Sep 14th 2006 12:04PM

And 3) at least with the hot-pants-sized shorts that are shown on the model, they are the silliest looking things ever.

Ray Sep 14th 2006 7:08PM

Next men will have to start wearing heels to make their legs look better. *shudders*

Targ8ter Sep 14th 2006 11:31PM

That's HORRIBLE. And what kind of jacket is that? It looks like stretchy knit version of the always-too-small terrycloth robes that you find in cheap hotels. Worn over a ridiculous bathing suit and what seem to be shiny beach shoes. Ugh.

Charles Sep 15th 2006 1:04PM

Next men will be required to shave their legs because no one wants to see hairy legs in the office.

aliens are taking over the world! Sep 16th 2006 12:32AM

even a male model cannot make this look good, just imagine a suit like that on your average slightly overweight 40-ish balding coworker.... *shudder*

Uncle Roger Sep 17th 2006 3:13AM

If you want your office to be more casual, go with jeans or even regular shorts. Trying to make formal shorts is nothing short of idiotic.

What these look like, actually, are little boy's suits.

Ruffage Sep 17th 2006 2:45AM

Man, the model's legs are shiny. And look better than a lot of female legs.

But seriously, at first I didn't look at the headline and went straight to the picture. I thought the trend was "I forgot my pants at home and came to the office in my boxer briefs". Hell, even a woman with good taste won't wear that.

A.K. Oct 8th 2006 11:45AM

This is a bit wierd. However more and more guys of all ages are now into shorts. Last summer I was in two places,on a hot and humid day, where men had on shorts for business wear. This was not the baggy cargo stuff,not casual,but "business crisp." However, not as pictured,not today, maybe 20 years from now.