The year is 1916; World War I is underway and you’ve been assigned to the Bermuda Garrison. As a native Brit, the hot climate on the island is a far cry from the cold temperatures back home. Your thick woollen uniform is unbearable in this heat. You admit to fighting with the Allies, but they said nothing about heatstroke. What do you do? Naturally, you keep scissors in your pants as a temporary measure to protect yourself from the heat. Thus, Bermuda shorts were born – an adaptation that became an icon of the island’s apparel landscape – or so the story goes.
Some say Rear Admiral Mason Berridge of the Bermuda Garrison in World War I was inspired by teahouse owner Nathaniel Coxon, who created Bermuda shorts for his employees to escape the heat. Whatever its exact origins, the history of the style is deeply rooted in the ethos of adaptation, a recurring theme in fashion.
Modern Bermuda is a tapestry of vibrant colors, from the pastel houses and colorful clothing of the island’s Gums to the pink-sand beaches and bright turquoise waters. This diversity is reflected in the variety of color options available in Bermuda shorts. While you have complete freedom to choose what color shorts to wear, traditional Bermuda shorts follow a strict dress code: the length must be slightly above the knees, they cannot be too loose and they must be worn with dark socks; the length must be above the shin; they must be paired with hard-soled shoes, a navy blazer and a tie shirt for formal or business situations where they cannot be worn by women. Featuring short, smooth hems, versatile fabrics and flowing cuts, their designs honor the island’s heritage while incorporating a contemporary feel – appropriate for an island where strong women have always played an important role.
On the other side of the fashion world, designers dominated the runways with their own interpretations of Bermuda shorts. For example, Marc Jacobs showed several exaggerated stiff leather shorts in his February show that defied normal notions of shape and texture. The shorts we saw on the runway today challenged traditional rules of proportion, fabric, and design, reminiscent of shorts inspired by Bermuda’s climate for every occasion. In the spirit of defiance, we also saw these cropped silhouettes on the fall runways, proving their enduring appeal and adaptability.
Ultimately, what began as a military adaptation strategy has evolved into an island-specific style inspired by British formality and influenced by the pastel colours of the island’s skies, beaches and homes. Suitable for the most casual to the most formal occasions – from beach walks to school uniforms and even wedding looks – Bermuda shorts are literally the island’s imprint on the global fashion lexicon. But they also celebrate Bermuda culture and showcase the island’s ability to blend tradition and modernity, connecting past and present, work and style, island and world.
Recently, we’ve noticed this trend has become less island-specific, so we’ve featured some of our favourite Bermuda-style shorts that were shot on the beautiful Technicolour island, named after the name and style of the beautiful islanders who call it home.
Talent: Riley Jackson, Rana Farooqi, Tajiri Rogers, Rema Webb-Hollis, Nabil Alboui, Nalia Mitchell, Lily Lightbourne, Zion Armstrong, Noisy Canes, H&H Gombies of Bermuda
Location: Remington Caverns, Prince Hamilton, Belmont Hills Golf Course
Hair: Harmony Herrera
Makeup: Sacarezza Wainwright
Photography Assistant: Neyoma Ajiwe
Production: Burnhouse Productions
Special Thanks: Bermuda Tourism Board
