STYLE@WORK

It's a trend that best captures the evolution of the scruffy male into a besotted-with-fashion gentleman. No sooner did international design labels Prada, Jil Sander and Versace declare shorts as the dress code for the modern man, the shorts swiped its presence at the 9 to 5 workplace. Back in Hindustan, the fashion industry guys got it, but the Indian man on the street, is aghast if not uncomfortable. Though most regular Joes admit that Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar looked surprisingly smashing in a formal shirt, jacket and fitted shorts (that replaced full length trousers), apprehension is palpable, probably brought on by old-world perceptions and underconfidence to carry off the look with a not-so-fit body.

While the trend is unlikely to fly in to a majority of Indian corporate work spaces, including the one frequented by 27-year-old Chirag Bhandari, it is an acceptable dress code in the fashion, advertising and media industries.

Your 70 mm inspiration

Shabina Khan, styled actor Akshay Kumar in Singh is Kinng

The idea behind dressing Akshay Kumar in a jacket and three-fourths, was character-driven. His character moves to Gold Coast, which is known as Surfer's Paradise. So, we worked on a wardrobe that would exude a chic but cool attitude. Akshay has a great body and face, which made the look a huge hit. He's an actor who's cued into trends, and that made my job easy. 

Shabina suggests: Men should team shorts with a jacket when they are out enjoying a Sunday brunch.

Short-pants needn't spell sloppy

Kushal Parmanand, 27, Fashion editor with a magazine

Even though Kushal works for a fashion magazine, and the organisation does not lay down a dress code, he makes sure he doesn't turn up looking sloppy. So, no cargos or beach shorts to work. "I have attended quite a few business meetings wearing short-pants, and on those occasions, I pair them with a formal shirt, leather shoes and belt."

Kushal suggests: Since most menswear brands in India, do not stock fitted shorts, you can buy fabric either in pinstripes, or tweed in dark shades, and get your shorts tailor-made by your trusted darji.

Short-pants radical for orthodox banking sector

Chirag Bhandari, 27, Location Head, Kotak Mahindra Bank

A cool, trendy haircut, or experimenting with colours in his wardrobe, is how Chirag gets his fashion fix. He'd love to sport shorts to work; in fact he admits to having "purchased two great pairs from the US", but that's reserved for a Saturday movie. "Though I like the trend, and it might turn out to be the next
milestone in menswear, I can't adopt it. My job entails meeting clients three times a week. I have to dress formal," he says.

Casual Fridays might give him the freedom to dress in jeans and tees. But shorts? No, yaar!
Banking is an orthodox sector, Chirag admits, and for the trend to catch on in India, it might take a good
7 to 8 years.

Expert tips to getting the look right

Nick Smith, Head merchandising, Calvin Klein and FCUK

>>Wearing shorts to work is seen in "liberal" work places, led by easy-going bosses. However, the times-are-a-changing and wearing shorts to work is no longer seen as a fashion faux pas.
>>The look is easy to put together, but remember, it's about a day at the office, not an afternoon by the pool. >>For a smarter look (and recommended for older men) wear a pair of tailored shorts (think a short version of chinos) in navy, black or beige.
>>Calvin Klein has a great range of shorts, even a fantastic pair of red ones for the more daring. Team these shorts with a smart shirt, a chic belt and shoes.
>>It is very easy to get the footwear wrong. We are not off to school, so, shoes and socks are not advisable. Wear a pair of soft leather loafers (not tie-up shoes) in brown, beige or white, and remember, NO socks. 
uFor a more casual look, team a pair of combat shorts in khaki, navy or beige with a cool bright logo tee or polo shirt and a pair of Converse sneakers.

Elsewhere in the world: Wear light colours, cut AC costs
In the fight against global warming, the Premier Dalton McGuinty (the first Minister of the Crown for the Canadian province of Ontario), has been encouraging government employees to dress for summer, to cut back air conditioning costs in offices. Toronto Hydro also recently launched a campaign to persuade office workers to lighten up their wardrobes to cope with warmer workplaces.