Beard Liberation Front
29th June
Contact Keith Flett @keithbeard.bsky.social
Beard, Shorts & Sandals Season. Campaigners warn of trouser cultists
The Beard Liberation Front, the informal network of beard wearers, has said that the 2026 Official Beard, Shorts and Sandals Season is under threat from trouser cultists, particularly in workplaces.
As temperatures have soared above 30C across Europe and look set to continue in the coming weeks, evidence has emerged that some employers, followers of the trousers cult are banning the wearing of shorts at work.
The Bank of England, based in the City of London, does not allow shorts with Bank Governor Andrew Bailey telling the Sunday Times (28th June) that no one wants to look at his knees.
The Head of the Financial Times Tokyo Bureau Leo Lewis (27th June) reports that while FT staff are mainly shorts wearers, Tokyo is only slowly distancing itself from the trousers cultists. He underlines that an instance on trousers reflect a refusal to grapple with the impact of climate change.
No Guidelines in 2026
The Beard Liberation Front, one of whose founding principles is that people should be able to dress and appear as they want, is increasingly concerned about official diktats on how people should or should not appear.
For the first time the voluntary option of wearing shades or sunglasses has been added after consultation within the network.
However the BLF urges those participating in the 2026 Beard, Shorts and Sandals Season to take care out there:
1 UV levels. It’s not just sun that can lead to sunburnt legs
2 Pogonophobia. Participants should beware beard haters
BLF Organiser Keith Flett said, the Beard, Shorts and Sandals season has been a major influence on summer fashions in recent times and the 2026 season is no different. We are very concerned about the activities of trousers cultists and will be focusing campaigning to oppose their Victorian dress codes.
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