Can Men Ever Wear Shorts to the Office? What About Baseball Caps? Our Poll Results May Surprise You.

IF YOU want to ignite debate at a family dinner, lob this to the group: Is it ever OK for men to wear shorts to the office? More kindling: What about sandals?

Though office dress-codes have skewed more casual postpandemic, opinions on what constitutes too casual vary greatly—including between generations. To determine which laid-back items the public deems acceptable deskside, and where each age-group stands, we hit up global research company Ipsos. Between June 30 and July 2, it surveyed a nationally representative sample of 1,020 U.S. adults.

The baby boomers considered shorts and sandals verboten for work. But millennials, the most chill generation overall, greenlit these and other beachy items. And no, it’s not always a young vs. old face-off: Gen Zers can be stricter, and boomers less formal, than one might think. Here, the 411 on the most contentious items.

Can You Wear Baseball Caps?

Overall: Though this result isn’t exactly a home run, a narrow majority of total respondents think baseball caps can go to work. It matters little if your hat is plain, à la Kendall Roy’s in “Succession,” or logoed: 55% approved of branded caps and 56% of unbranded ones.

Young and old disagree. Gen Zers and millennials are clearly pro caps at the desk, while Gen Xers can’t make up their minds (50% said unbranded caps are never OK). Among older folks, 53% of the 59-and-ups say unbranded caps are never acceptable, and a smidge more veto branded ones.

Can You Wear Jewelry?

Overall: Most of those surveyed consider office bling a go. With a 92% approval rating, rings are the most-accepted adornment, but bracelets (91%) and chain necklaces (88%) come close. Most controversial? Earrings: 23% of respondents say these have no business in an office.

A plot twist: Those aged over 58 are iffiest about earrings. But, rather surprisingly, they’re more relaxed than youngsters regarding rings: While just 7% of older respondents consider finger furnishings (excluding wedding and signet rings) never OK, 12% of Gen Zers feel that way.

Can You Wear Shorts?

Overall: A healthy 58% of respondents think it can be appropriate for guys to flash some leg in the office.

But boomers will have something to say about that. Those aged over 58 were the sole anti-shorts crusaders, with 57% deeming the style unacceptable at all times. They’ll have to face off against millennials, who were the most enthusiastic knee-freers: 75% say shorts can be office-worthy. Gen Zers and Gen Xers were also fairly bullish on leg-baring, with 67% and 56%, respectively, asserting that shorts can be appropriate professionally.

Can You Wear Sneakers and Sandals?

Overall: Proving that sneakers are now a fixture in professional settings, a healthy majority (73%) give running sneakers a pass—and even more (87%) approve of dressier versions. But deskside sandals triggered fury. They received the harshest response of any item—and were the only style to be rejected overall—with 54% of total respondents declaring them “never OK.”

More on sneakers. All age groups are relaxed about sporty shoes. But millennials are the most relaxed: 85% allow running sneaks and 95% give dressier versions a tick.

…And as for those sandals. Younger respondents narrowly approve of strappy summery footwear at work, with 52% of Gen Zers and 56% of millennials saying sandals can be fine. But older folks gave toes out in the conference room a firm no: 60% of Gen Xers, and 64% of boomers and the Silent Generation said sandals will never cut it in the office.

Can You Wear Graphic T-shirts?

Overall: With a guitar-pick-slim majority of 52%, most respondents think men can rock a band tee (or other loud designs) at work.

Mick Jagger is 79. But he didn’t take our survey. Two-thirds of those over 58 who aren’t Rolling Stones rejected graphic tees. Other generations were more accepting, with 50% of Gen X and 60% of Gen Z approving. The biggest thumbs-up? Yet again, that came from millennials: 73% OK’d these chilled-out tops.