To file under Trends I Unexpectedly Love: cut-off denim bermuda shorts. Late one recent evening, I fell down a bermuda short rabbit hole on Pinterest. I know I’m late to the party; they really blew up last spring and summer. But since most of us spent that block of 2020 in a fog drinking Dalgona coffee and wearing our favorite sweat pants, let’s give ourselves a pass on the trends we missed and start fresh.
Bermuda shorts appeal to both my early-aughts fashion nostalgia and my deep appreciation for practical comfort. They were super popular when I worked at Express in 2005, and I had a pair from the brand for every occasion: weekend denim, ‘dressy’, ‘going out,’ etc. My MVPs were the knee grazing iterations of the wear-to-work Editor pant, and if you remember that very specific reference, I salute you. (Man, I really want a pair or two of those now!)
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On the aforementioned Bermuda binge, I discovered and became enamored with the Frame Le Vintage Bermuda*. Specifically, the way Net-a-Porter* styled them to perfection: with an oversized classic white button-down, a minimal black clutch, and kitten heel thong sandals*. While I don’t need a pair of $200 denim shorts, I do need this outfit in my life. Like, I could happily live through the next several months in this exact combination. I started thinking about which jeans in my closet I could cut and sacrifice to the cause. (The Everlane 90’s Cheeky jeans* I bought on Poshmark last year were first to get the scissors.)
This sent me on a hunt for more bermuda styling ideas. And the Internet did not let me down. I filled my camera roll with screen shots and shared some of my favorites up top.
I think the trick to upgrading plain ol’ jorts to a modern chic wardrobe staple is in the proportion of your pieces. The best looks I found paired slim-fit denim bermuda shorts with oversized shirts, knits, or blazers. You can take it in a super structured direction, or keep it soft and flowy. Finishing it off with a delicate sandal helps elongate the legs.
(A tip for my fellow petite/curvy people: a higher rise balances out the torso-to-leg ratio; a low/midrise with the longer inseam may cut your bottom half in a less flattering way.)
For now, my DIY version will do, but I set a Shopstyle sale alert on the Frame Le Vintage Bermuda* with hopes I can snag a discounted pair in white or black by summertime.
I’m Wearing :: Le Specs ‘The Last Lolita’ sunglasses*, Zara top and sandals, DIY Everlane 90s Cheeky jean bermudas (now available in shorts), and vintage bag.
Gallery image sources: Net-a-Porter, Reformation, Bergdorf Goodman, Sandro, and Aritzia.
What do you think?