Postmen explain why they always wear shorts throughout the whole year

Whatever the weather, come rain or shine, your postman or postwoman will work tirelessly to deliver your mail. 

In the UK, posties stand out thanks to their distinctive red attire, but an air of mystery surrounds their uniform- and that is their fondness for wearing shorts. 

And despite the unpredictability of the UK seasons, one thing is certain, many workers will be wearing shorts. 

While their fashion choice has baffled many over the years, they claim they have a perfectly good reason to wear them. 

In a Reddit thread a couple of years ago, one user asked if their choice of uniform was a rule, or just a ‘silly’ tradition passed down over the years.  

They wrote: ‘Postmen/women of the UK, why do you wear shorts all year round no matter the weather?’

‘Is it a rule or a silly tradition?’

Another user, who had also clocked the fashion staple, said: ‘Yeah I’ve seen them last week in shorts and a Royal Mail pastel blue short sleeve shirt. Hardcore. None of this DPD Hermes skinny joggers and overcoat nonsense.’

But, it turns out, the decision is simple, as one ‘current postie’ explained: ‘It really is just because it gets hot doing the job.’

They added: ‘One round I cover I wear trousers just because of the wind (made the mistake once and had windburn all up my legs) but it’s that particular village happens to be the highest point of the town and is a massive wind tunnel. All other rounds I’m in shorts pretty much all year.’

Another ‘ex-postie’ defended the choice, adding: ‘I used to be ‘that guy’, the reason for me is that I hate sweating and walking around all day used to make me sweat my balls off.

‘If it was an extreme day I might throw on waterproofs over my shorts, something I can easily slip on and off as the need arose.’ 

It turns out, the reason why they opt for shorts is quite simple. As one ‘current postie’ commented on the thread: ‘It really is just because it gets hot doing the job’

One person, who claimed their friend was a postal worker, said that he wore shorts because ‘they dry quickly’, others agreed that ‘Skin is waterproof’ and therefore easier to dry

Another said: ‘Skin is waterproof. Working all day is hot work.’ 

Another Reddit thread, posted six years ago, produced similar responses. One person, who claimed their friend was a postal worker, said he wore shorts because ‘they dry quickly’.

They added: ‘He says there is nothing worse than wet trousers all day in the winter.

‘You also don’t get cold when on your feet.’ 

Back in 2013, MailOnline reported that Royal Mail had banned their workers from wearing shorts during the winter months to prevent them from getting frostbite. 

More than 200 postmen across Cheltenham, Gloucestershire were told they must wear trousers as part of their uniform when working in freezing temperatures. 

But the decision was not taken lying down and many postmen voiced their opinions against the ban. 

One worker at the depot, who asked not to be named, said angry staff members had planned to contact the Communication Workers’ Union about the ban. 

He said: ‘We’re all disgusted about it. I find wearing shorts much more comfortable as I feel more restricted in trousers and my legs do get warm.

‘There’s an agreement between Royal Mail and the union which stipulates the rules about uniforms and there’s nothing saying you can’t wear shorts.

‘I’m very annoyed – I can’t stand wearing trousers when I’m on the go all the time.’