Item of the week: the Bermuda shorts

What it is:

Like many tailored items today, the Bermuda shorts have their foundations
firmly set in the military, first designed in order to cater to the needs
of the British army who seeked uniform that suited the tropical weather of
their colonies. Towards the beginning of the 20th century, the garment was
then adapted for businessmen and later tourists when they became a fashion
wardrobe staple. Their popularity only went up from there, and now the look
is a standard silhouette in the wardrobes of both men and women. The term
Bermuda typically applies to shorts with a knee-length cut, and most
commonly fall into holiday or tailoring clothing categories.

Why you’ll want it:

Unlike styles with a usually shorter hemline, the Bermuda shorts offer what
could be considered a more comfortable length for those seeking to cover up
more skin. What is also notable is the garment’s ability to not surrender
to a singular category, but instead fall into multiple, depending on the
design itself. This means the Bermuda shorts can be seen in the collections
that vary from casual sportswear or athletics attire to formal wardrobes
and elevated luxury. Styles vary so massively that now there appears to be
a design of Bermuda shorts that can fit into almost every brand identity.

Where we’ve seen it:

With the slew of tailoring on the runway for SS24, Bermuda shorts were
bound to make an appearance in designer collections – and they did not
disappoint. Many who took them on did indeed stick to their classic
tailoring, with crisp creases and fitted shapes seen at Burberry, Simone
Rocha and LGN Louis Gabriel Nouchi. Others, such as Marimekko, Givenchy and
Sacai, moved towards more oversized silhouettes, casualising the pieces
despite continuing to pair them with matching button-ups. Meanwhile, the
Bermuda shorts took on more sporty influences at Wales Bonner and Paolina
Russo, where hoodies, prints and netting rounded out the looks.

How to style it:

On a casual basis, the Bermuda shorts can work well alongside a linen
button-up shirt or loose-fitting t-shirt, perfect for the beach or to
simply run an errand. Tie it together with a cross-body, leather bag and
sneakers to complete the effortlessly stylish outfit. For streetwear, this
can be swapped out for ankle socks, sneakers and an oversized graphic tee.
If the shorts are to be worn in a more formal setting, utilise, if
possible, their matching counterpart – typically a blazer – which can be
layered over a smart button-up and paired with sleek leather shoes or ankle
boots.

Bermuda shorts, while a classic, have become only increasingly popular in
runway collections for recent seasons, but SS24 appears to be when they are
set to peak. Seen in everything from sportswear lines to more formal
tailoring, there is now a wider variation of styles available, and
therefore more choice for the consumer.