Givenchy's Spring/Summer 2023 runway show featured baggy Bermuda shorts in denim as well as more sophisticated materials. Photo: AFP
Oversized Bermuda shorts, also known as long shorts, seem to be a recent favourite among designers and the cool girl crowd as summer draws to a close.
At one time, snubbed for its unflattering length, the garment is now an essential of the late summer, early autumn season, upstaging traditional, more sophisticated pantsuits.
Can you show up at your office in a pair of Bermuda shorts? The idea might have inspired gales of laughter just a few months ago, but in some circles it's now a reality.
Bermuda shorts, which are characterised by an intermediate length between shorts and pants, stopping just above the knee, are in vogue both on the street and on social media, having been spotted on celebrities, influencers and in major fashion labels' collections.
Having already made a foray into the fashion sphere last year (with a lukewarm reception), Bermuda shorts now appear to be a hero item of the fall season, in wide cuts in denim, leather, tweed or more fluid materials.
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On the runway
Although the trend is really taking off as the summer season winds down, there have been signs of its rise for some time.
In September and October 2022, for the women's ready-to-wear shows dedicated to the 2023 summer season, most brands bet on cargo pants, a relic of the 2000s whose comeback has proven a huge hit across demographics.
But a handful of labels went even further by offering a shorter version, restoring the honour of Bermuda shorts while revisiting them in a denim or utilitarian style.
Notable examples include Givenchy, Stella McCartney, Tom Ford and Ottolinger, who together kickstarted the trend about a year ago.
However, it took some time for the trend to catch on and become popular enough to rule the world of street style.
That was the doing of celebrities with tens of millions of followers on social media, such as Bella Hadid, Hailey Bieber, Emily Ratajkowski, Gigi Hadid and Kendall Jenner, who were photographed in outfits featuring a version of the piece.
And that's all it took for Bermuda shorts to take their rightful place in women's wardrobes, being substituted for other short styles – first on beaches and then elsewhere – and quickly replacing pantsuits in women's wardrobes as they head back to the office.
Bermuda shorts are also a hit because they can be worn with almost anything, but this season they're standing out in mix-and-match looks paired with a crop top, tube top, camisole or even a blouse or shirt, topped with a blazer for an ultra-chic touch.
Worn with loafers, sneakers, heels and, on rainy days, flat boots or ankle boots – a look that was spotted more than a few times at Copenhagen Fashion Week, which took place during a rainy and windy spell in mid-August.
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In Copenhagen street style
In fact there's no doubt that it was Copenhagen Fashion Week that really crowned Bermuda shorts as a must-have piece of the season. And in particular, the street styles that contribute to the event's worldwide renown.
Long shorts were seen everywhere around the shows, particularly in denim and cargo versions, always loose-fitting, accessorised or not with a wide belt, and mixed with streetwear or sportswear-inspired pieces as well as more sophisticated garments.
The ultimate piece for creating a mix of chic and casual. But there were also some truly elegant versions in materials like tweed, for example, as part of a new-generation suit.
A total look that's sure to make a splash this fall, for both daytime and evening wear.
And contrary to what you might think, this trend isn't the exclusive preserve of the fashion crowd – quite the opposite.
For proof just look to social networks, where oversized Bermuda shorts are already the talk of the town.
On TikTok, hashtags associated with the terms #jorts for the denim versions or #bermudas have already generated over 800 million views, testifying to the public's enthusiasm for this piece combining comfort and chic. – AFP Relaxnews
