Page 12 | DH wants to wear shorts to birthday meal

Pinkdhalia · 11/08/2025 20:39

Let him do what he wants and if he feels uncomfortable then he's to blame. Maybe next time he listens to your advise eh? I'd have to stand away from him so he hasn't got you as cover!

angelfacecuti75 · 11/08/2025 20:41

What TYPE of shorts, though... ? Tailored smart shorts and a nice shirt with smartish* shoes absolutely fine. Jogging shorts or footy shorts...no.

ByQuaintAzureWasp · 11/08/2025 21:01

Tailored shorts with a nice shirt will be fine

lovelydayIhave · 11/08/2025 21:17

I think you should fill up the divorce papers.😉🍀

ImGoneUnderground · 11/08/2025 22:14

Just as a 'diagram' is so often requested, perhaps we may have a photo of said shorts? (Just the shorts, I mean....not of him NOT him not wearing the shorts...) Smart and clean yes, can be totally appropriate, 'hot pants' / beach type - no, not so much....😇(But agree that a change of clothes being available could be a good alternative, and see how it goes, and whether or not a specific 'dress code' is in place does make a difference). Hope you all enjoy the party!

MrsSkylerWhite · 11/08/2025 22:30

Calliopespa · 11/08/2025 17:52

I'm not sure I'd call myself a royalist actually - though I certainly don't let them get me wound up.

I think you've taken the post slightly out of context. If it had been intended to say we should all follow the royals for sartorial advice, I wouldn't have selected a child member. It would have made far more sense to reference Charles, or William for example. But that was neither the point, nor the context. The context was a discussion on the thread around short pants being something boys grow out of for formal wear - whether they are royal or not royal. George and Louis are two well-known young boys ( their AGE being the relevant factor, not their royal-ness). I don't know of all that many well-known young boys who are often seen in public at formal events that I think people would have understood the reference to - though would equally happily have used them as an example. The fact they happen to be royal is beside the point.

If you dine out a lot in some of the more upmarket restaurants in London, particularly central, you will know that only relatively young males turn up in short pants. Obviously pub meals, chain restaurants etc don't insist on that. But the tenor of OP's post is that the meal was booked somewhere less casual.

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We eschew London restaurants these days. Restaurants generally. Done far too many for far, far too long. Since women with the bloody audacity to wear trousers were turned away 🤣

Incidentally, lovely, “upmarket” really isn’t a phrase that sickeningly wealthy people would understand.

Neither would they give a fuck about their guests wearing shorts.

Maddy70 · 11/08/2025 22:53

Lightweight trousers are obviously better , but smart tailored shirts are ok and it is his birthday

MrsSkylerWhite · 11/08/2025 23:12

Maddy70 · 11/08/2025 22:53

Lightweight trousers are obviously better , but smart tailored shirts are ok and it is his birthday

Not for him, obviously! He wants to wear shorts. It’s his bloody birthday.

This thread is mad 🤯

Meg8 · 11/08/2025 23:17

Abt 30 years ago my DH (mid 40s) was on our local council. At the AGM (summer time) he insisted on going in shorts (albeit decent ones). Neither the councillors nor the members of the public have stopped talking about "that councillor who turned up in shorts".

Ivy888 · 11/08/2025 23:45

Lins77 · 10/08/2025 11:23

Of course I do - I've gone to a lot of trouble to make it nice for him. I just don't want him to feel like he's dressed inappropriately when he gets there. But I'm not going to insist.

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It doesn’t sound like you took his wishes into consideration if you booked a place where you think he’ll be out of place wearing what he always wears. Is this maybe more a place where YOU would like to celebrate your birthday?

childofthe607080s · 11/08/2025 23:54

shorts - his birthday and if it’s warm why shouldn’t men have a short option ?

I mean if it’s a smart place it ideally would be smart shorts not gym shorts or trunks but I really don’t see the problem

Calloja23 · 12/08/2025 00:00

Poor etiquette and poor choice for a smart restaurant. Will
They even let him in, smart restaurants generally have some sort of dress code and shorts is not one of Them. Shorts are ok for a casual cafe but not a smart restaurant. I would be so embarrassed and put my foot down if I were you.

MrsSkylerWhite · 12/08/2025 00:06

Meg8 · 11/08/2025 23:17

Abt 30 years ago my DH (mid 40s) was on our local council. At the AGM (summer time) he insisted on going in shorts (albeit decent ones). Neither the councillors nor the members of the public have stopped talking about "that councillor who turned up in shorts".

All that says is a great deal about the Warmington-on-Sea mentality of the sort of people who want to be councillors. Our current county’s are now a Reform majority. Rest my case. Idiots to the man/woman.

MrsSkylerWhite · 12/08/2025 00:09

Calloja23 · 12/08/2025 00:00

Poor etiquette and poor choice for a smart restaurant. Will
They even let him in, smart restaurants generally have some sort of dress code and shorts is not one of Them. Shorts are ok for a casual cafe but not a smart restaurant. I would be so embarrassed and put my foot down if I were you.

Oh, Hyacinth.
What does “smart” even mean?
We’re pretty comfortable. Many of our friends are highly educated, extremely successful and filthy rich. Believe me, they are not turned away at luch because they are wearing shorts 🤣

Calloja23 · 12/08/2025 00:18

MrsSkylerWhite · 12/08/2025 00:09

Oh, Hyacinth.
What does “smart” even mean?
We’re pretty comfortable. Many of our friends are highly educated, extremely successful and filthy rich. Believe me, they are not turned away at luch because they are wearing shorts 🤣

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What does smsrtv even mean - in my circle not shorts!

MrsSkylerWhite · 12/08/2025 00:30

Calloja23 · 12/08/2025 00:18

What does smsrtv even mean - in my circle not shorts!

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How nice for you.
“Circle”. Quaint 😁

StarlightLady · 12/08/2025 07:17

IMissSparkling · 10/08/2025 11:23

How big a birthday are we talking? 40, meh let him wear the shorts. 50 plus, no-one wants to see his legs in the dining room.

What an ageist comment. Are there going to be any women in the restaurant in a dress or a skirt (or maybe even shorts) who are over 50?

l’m in my 40s, tend to live in dresses, when l’m in my 50s do l have to swap to trousers?

And yes, of course a man in smart shorts is fine for a meal.

Original poster

Lins77 · 12/08/2025 07:52

FYI he had an amazing time, absolutely loved it (as I knew he would), decided not to wear the shorts though it really wasn't that big a deal.

I went to a lot of trouble to make it nice, and an occasion he would treasure, and it was.

Thank you for all your comments.

OP posts:

BoudiccaRuled · 12/08/2025 07:54

TinyTempest · 10/08/2025 11:22

He's a grown ass man! 😂😂

Leave him be.

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Is he though?
He doesn't work and, according to the OP, doesn't understand appropriate attire.

GentleJadeOP · 12/08/2025 07:57

BoudiccaRuled · 12/08/2025 07:54

Is he though?
He doesn't work and, according to the OP, doesn't understand appropriate attire.

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Surely he’s entitled to be retired though and not work?

Sunspecs · 12/08/2025 08:58

We font know because we don't know the hotel, but unless there's an actual dress code preventing it, I think OP's DP has a better idea of what's right than she does, certainly a better idea of what he wants to wear.

All the most attractive men I know would wear tailored shorts and an ironed short sleeved shirt to such an occasion in this weather.

There are hardly any places where smart casual isn't appropriate now.

Emmz1510 · 12/08/2025 10:55

I’d be pissed if I’d booked a meal at an upmarket place and we ended up being turned away because someone was wearing shorts.
Check with the venue. If they allow it, I’d let him crack on.

DappledThings · 12/08/2025 10:56

Emmz1510 · 12/08/2025 10:55

I’d be pissed if I’d booked a meal at an upmarket place and we ended up being turned away because someone was wearing shorts.
Check with the venue. If they allow it, I’d let him crack on.

Getting drunk would be one way to deal with the disappointment, yes

Netcurtainnelly · 12/08/2025 12:11

Lins77 · 10/08/2025 11:17

I've arranged a big family lunch at a very smart hotel to celebrate DH's Significant Birthday. He's worn shorts every day over the summer (he doesn't work). I said he should wear long trousers but he doesn't see why he should. What do you think?

Leave him alone.
Your making a fuss out of nothing.

MrsSkylerWhite · 12/08/2025 12:13

Emmz1510 · 12/08/2025 10:55

I’d be pissed if I’d booked a meal at an upmarket place and we ended up being turned away because someone was wearing shorts.
Check with the venue. If they allow it, I’d let him crack on.

“Someone”?
It’s his fecking birthday. Does he get no say? 🤯