Can you wear shorts to work and still be professional?

Austin is known for its casual nature and the offices in this city are no different. Many executives wear shorts and flip flops and their employees tend to follow suit. I am not a fan of shorts (and flip flops) in any office, but I have to say that in general, it can be appropriate because strong CEOs or other executives are in tune with their customers' expectations and tend to set the tone for the level of professionalism in their office based on that assessment.

The great thing about professionalism is that its definition changes in every environment. It would be much more difficult and rare to wear shorts to work in the financial industry, than it would be in the technology industry.

Professionalism isn't only about what you wear or how you look. It is also about how you speak and how you act. So if you can take command of a board meeting full of high powered executives, make a presentation that captivates your audience and delivers your message clearly, you can probably wear shorts to work. (Note: This assumes you are in an office/industry that allows shorts as part of their dress code).

However, if you produce sloppy work, show up late, have difficulty conveying your message or earning the respect of your peers, you won't be doing yourself any favors by wearing shorts. If you cannot speak and act professionally - you better at least dress professionally!

In today's economy where unemployment is at an all time high, you should treat each day in the office as a job interview and be prepared to demonstrate the value you provide to the organization daily. Whether you like it or not, value isn't based only your technical ability, but it is also how you present yourself as a representative of the organization in and out of the office.

Most experts on this topic would agree that if you are interacting with the customer or client, you should dress in professional attire. I recommend you follow your CEO's lead. If your CEO wears shorts and flip flops and your business is currently sustainable and successful, it works. If your business is not thriving, dress code is probably just one of the issues where you can improve.