Why do men in the office hate summer?

There is a summer heatwave outside and instead of relaxing by the water in shorts with a cold drink, many people are sitting in the office, often without air conditioning. Sweating and feeling uncomfortable is far from pleasant, but men tend to feel this discomfort more intensely than women. Why is that? 

 

The dress code bug

Working in an office comes with many advantages, but it also requires a small sacrifice—the dress code. Many companies are more liberal when it comes to their employees’ clothing, but others are uncompromising and place a strong emphasis on dressing formally. It also very much depends on the job position a person holds. One thing, however, they have in common – the dress code for women is much looser compared to that for men.

In the summer, women can wear loose dresses, short sleeve or thin blouses, elegant trouser shorts, sandals, or open-toe pumps. Men are much more limited in their choices – a shirt, tie, or jacket is often required, and long trousers are expected to be worn, particularly if business meetings are part of a particular job position.

 

Can anything be done about it?

The answer is definitely yes. Obviously, the possibilities are individual, but nothing is wasted.

More work from home – if your job allows it and you have this option at work, take advantage of working from home on the hottest days. It will be up to you, whether you will work from home dressed in a T-shirt and your favourite shorts or choose an air-conditioned café.

Choose lightweight, quality fabrics – women are well aware of the difference between fabrics. Men will also appreciate avoiding synthetic materials. Whenever possible, choose natural fabrics and light shirts. On days when there are no meetings, consider wearing 100% cotton or linen shirts with a looser fit. The same applies when choosing trousers.

Breathable shoes  – make the effort to choose the right pair of breathable shoes that will always create an elegant impression. The choice will probably be more challenging, but not impossible.

Choose your meeting locations – for some people, working from home is not an option because they have to attend a lot of formal meetings. If this sounds like your case, we can offer you one tip. Try suggesting the meeting locations yourself. Avoid hot conference rooms. Try to find a more pleasant place in your neighborhood. It could even be a walk or a cold drink somewhere nearby the water, where you can also choose more informal clothing.

 

 

Involve the company culture – be assertive and do not be afraid to make suggestions for improvement within your company. Bringing up the topic of the dress code is certainly appropriate. You can suggest a more informal casual dress code. Alternatively, you could create different dress code categories based on the type of work. Many people do not attend meetings but work exclusively in the office and do not have a managerial position. Thus their outfits can be somewhat more informal. 

 

Do not forget to stay hydrated

Last but not least, it is essential that you stay hydrated. Women tend to be more disciplined in this regard. A lot of men forget to drink enough fluids, which is especially important in the summer. The same goes for choosing what to eat. A lighter meal and an extra glass of water will definitely help you get through a tropically hot day in a bit better way.

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