Heatwaves push men to work in shorts globally

Scorching summer temperatures have encouraged men to ditch traditional office attire and wear shorts, a trend that started in Japan's capital, Tokyo. The Tokyo metropolitan government's Cool Biz campaign, which promotes comfortable clothing to combat heat, has led more workers to try wearing T-shirts and sneakers instead of long trousers and jackets.

The blurring lines between commuter and holiday styles are evident, with major retailers reporting increased sales of breathable fabrics like linen shorts and suits. The demand for lighter clothing has led to a 183% jump in sales of men's linen trousers at British department store John Lewis and H&M has adjusted its inventory to include more summer-appropriate clothing.

However, there are still limits to the trend, with some workplaces maintaining stricter dress codes. Despite the pushback, some workers and unions have called for dress codes to be relaxed during periods of high temperatures, citing the strain on workers due to increasingly frequent heat waves.