Danish managers name least welcome summer workwear

As Denmark braces for temperatures nearing 30°C this week, a survey by the managers’ union Lederne reveals the summer clothing items they least want to see in the workplace.

Topping the list are jogging gear (36.1%), crop tops (35.4%), and flip-flops (33%), followed by clothing with political messages or symbols (31.2%) and caps (19.1%). A quarter of respondents said they allow employees to wear whatever they choose.

Flip-flops, recently dubbed “summer’s smartest shoe” by Woman magazine and a staple at Copenhagen Fashion Week, are widely popular for their simplicity, affordability, and variety. Yet ethnologist and trend researcher Julia Lahme doubts they will transition from beach to office.

“People want to express professionalism through their clothing,” Lahme said. “Flip-flops and crop tops are tied to holidays, beaches, and relaxation—things that can seem unprofessional in a workplace where responsibility and representation matter.”

The survey of 1,087 managers also found that only 25% now have a written dress code, down from 44% in 2023. However, 26.8% report having unwritten rules, which Lederne’s workplace policy chief consultant Signe Bilde Jørgensen warns can create confusion and conflict.

“It’s very difficult for employees to follow rules they don’t know,” Jørgensen said, urging workplaces to foster open dialogue on dress expectations rather than relying on formal or informal restrictions.

Other items managers deemed inappropriate include short skirts (6.3%), low-cut tops (16.4%), tight clothing (0.6%), shorts (16.4%), visible tattoos (1.5%), visible piercings (3.4%), open-toed sandals (11.5%), and other items (8.9%).