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5 Ways to Wear Bermuda Shorts

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Bermuda shorts can be a bit tricky at first glance. They bear a distinctly pulled-together appearance, and they channel a hint of old-school charm that harkens back to days spent at camp when you were a kid. Even so, it’s not as difficult as it seems to pull off these summertime essentials.

If you’re not wearing short shorts, bike shorts, or culottes this season, you have another option in your best Bermudas. Here are some suggestions for making the most of the Bermudas languishing in your closet.

5 Ways to Wear Bermuda Shorts

1. Keep It Classic

Don’t overlook the fact that certain styles of Bermuda shorts are capable of looking downright polished. Immaculate tailoring, clean lines, and a timeless silhouette all contribute to a classic wardrobe addition that you can easily wear in a more casual corporate environment.

Black Bermuda shorts

If you work in a creative office, you won’t have trouble pulling off a pair like Style & Co. Pull-On Skimmers ($23.25-27.90). Available in several neutral hues, they’re perfect for establishing a sophisticated look that has nothing to do with summer camp or vacation, thank you very much. Try them with a crisp, fitted white button-down and a matching blazer for a sleek warm-weather suit. A pair of low-profile heels completes the look nicely.

2. Work Your Denim

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When it’s too hot to wear an actual pair of jeans but you just can’t part with the comfort of denim, consider a pair of Bermudas. When it comes to denim shorts, you can be a hair liberal with your styling options.

Kut from the Cloth Bermuda Shorts

If you’re wearing these KUT From the Cloth Sophie Bermuda Shorts ($84), don’t feel you have to pair it with a solid tee and flip flops (although that would be completely permissible and amazingly comfortable, too). Feel free to experiment with a colorful shell beneath an airy gauze cardigan and a pair of ladylike flats.

If you’re headed to a music festival, slip on a lightweight, breezy tank top for an effortless look. And, bonus, you’ll be comfortable all day.

3. Play with Prints

Why not have a little fun with your look? Prints in a wide range of colors make it easy to find the right style for your personality. Summer is the right time to experiment, add a few colors you wouldn’t normally wear, and break out of your comfort zone just a touch.

Floral Bermuda Shorts

These Peck & Peck Floral Print Bermuda Shorts ($29.93) are a safe starting point. You can easily pair them with comfortable sandals and a solid tee. You’ll be ready for anything — whether it’s a day out with the family or casual lunch with the girls.

4. Mix Your Stripes

Don’t be afraid to mix your prints. It’s a trend that easily yields some of the most polished, pulled together looks in your closet! Take your cue from the spring/summer 2018 runways and try pairing stripes with stripes. Make it work for you by sticking with colors that fall within the same color family and mixing it up with different widths.

Striped Bermuda shorts

These Banana Republic Factory Tailored Mini Stripe Bermuda Shorts ($24.98) feature slender lines, and look surprisingly right at home with an effortless, horizontally striped tee.

5. Add Something Bright

You don’t have to wear only neutrals, of course. The beauty of Bermudas is that they’re synonymous with summer, which itself is synonymous with radiant, bright, and uplifting colors.

Pink Bermuda shorts

These Lauren Ralph Lauren Stretch Cotton Twill Bermuda Shorts ($24.32) are a natural warm weather choice. They’re also super easy to wear with anything from striped shirts to solid tanks. For a more natural and relaxed look, opt for a silhouette like this instead of something too form-fitting.