11 Ways I’m Styling Bermuda Shorts This Summer
PC: Florré
Sometimes I forget how much I love a certain style, a certain aesthetic, until it rotates into the spotlight and I’m reminded that yes, this is the scene I thrive in. For me, that’s anything borrowed-from-the-boys. Bermuda shorts, recognized by their knee-grazing hemlines, are the bottoms-du-jour that I can’t believe haven’t been in my arsenal until now. Everything from its laid-back appeal to its clean-cut silhouette screams Bianca. And I’m confident that even when the pendulum swings back to all things short and mini, I’ll still be wearing these boyish shorts.
I wrote an article once titled “Why Does Dressing Like a Man Make Me Feel so Good?” I could have talked about the simplicity of a man’s outfit, or the comfort of not caring, but the truth is that I like the aesthetic and the feelings of safety it gives me. Dressing like a man kept men away, and me at ease. That’s why you’ll often find me in men’s jeans, baggy pants, and oversized sweaters. And while I’ve grown up, nurtured safety, and developed a taste for the more feminine things in life, I will always find comfort in a masculine ensemble—it feels like armor to me.
There are so many ways to style Bermuda shorts. I honestly had to laugh at how quickly the ideas came to me as I was dressing in front of the mirror. You know an aesthetic speaks to you when it takes less than 30 minutes to piece together 11 looks, and all of them make you feel like your best self.
The best part of Bermuda shorts is that they fit almost any occasion. They’re probably the only style of shorts that can be worn to the office and complement both sneakers and heels of all heights. For some looks, I fully leaned into the boyish aesthetic by pairing Bermuda shorts with a cap and a Ralph Lauren button-down. For others, I balanced the baggy bottoms with a form-fitted top and some heels. See below for some more styling tips.
The Bermuda shorts of choice
How to Style Bermuda Shorts
For brunch
Probably my favorite way to wear Bermuda shorts is with a form-fitting top and flip-flops. It’s casual, yet elegant, confident, yet comfortable, and therefore the perfect look for a brunch date with friends. I’ve been tying my silk scarves around my chest and wearing them as a top a lot this summer—an alternative to a simple white tank if you’re feeling a little more whimsical.
For the office
The AC at the office is always blasting, so make sure to grab a cozy sweater or a lightweight long-sleeve top. I’m careful not to show too much skin even if it’s humid outside, so I like to bring a cardigan to cover my shoulders over loose tank tops. If you’re not comfortable wearing heeled flip flops to the office, then some mules will look sleek and professional instead.
For running errands
Button-downs and Bermuda shorts are a god-tier combo, in my opinion. I’ve also been into doubling up my tank tops and giving my top half a little contrast that way. Sneakers are the shoe of choice if you’re running errands, but if the last stop on your agenda is drinks with friends, then I recommend some comfortable heels in its place.
For a night out
I found these old Bermuda shorts at the back of my closet—a pair of IRO cargo shorts I bought in Paris some five or six years ago. I styled them with sky-high heels from the Mango x Victoria Beckham collection. They’re long sold out, but I found the black version on Vestaire Collective here, and a similar style in burgundy here. I’m really into halterneck tops, so for both looks, I chose the open-back style that’s just the right amount of sexy for a night out.
