How to Style Bermuda Shorts for Summer 2025

In the past few years, there’s been a curious sartorial shift regarding hemlines, and no item of clothing has been as significantly affected as shorts. In keeping with fashion’s current obsession with extremes (how else do you explain the simultaneous resurgence of skinny jeans and popularity of cartoon-esque barrel silhouettes?), the hemline gap is wider than ever. Shorts are either an underwear-adjacent micro length, or knee-grazing à la unlikely street style icon Adam Sandler. 

For most of my life, I’ve preferred leg-baring hemlines, but lately I’ve been surprised to find myself drawn to styles I’d previously written off as too dowdy or even dad-like. Maybe it’s the way fashion It Girls like Emily Ratajkowksi and Hailey Bieber make Bermuda shorts look effortlessly cool, or simply the fact that I’m creeping up on 30. Whatever the reason, I’ve been wholeheartedly embracing the Bermuda shorts trend this year.                  

Mango High-Waisted Denim Bermuda Shorts

I bought these denim Bermuda shorts from Mango on a whim last month while on vacation in Madrid—in fact, I almost left the store empty handed because the line for the fitting rooms was so long. Now just over a month later, I’m so grateful that I stuck it out, because they have become one of my most-worn early summer staples. 

I sized up one size to get a low-waisted, baggy fit, and I couldn’t be more thrilled with the effect. These are not the stiff, wedgie-inducing jean shorts of my teen years. The denim is soft and lightweight with a vintage-like feel, making them just as comfortable as the boxer shorts and cotton bloomers I typically gravitate towards during the warmer months. Hitting just a few inches above my knees, they have that familiar long Bermuda shorts silhouette without veering too “Dad on vacation.”  

Above all, they’re surprisingly easy to style for a wide variety of occasions. The most obvious function of a pair of denim shorts like these is as a neutral anchor for a casual summer outfit, paired with similarly understated classics like a tank top or a T-shirt and flat shoes. The longer length and pleating lends a bit of high-fashion flair to an otherwise simple everyday look.

J.Crew Vintage Jersey Scoop-Neck Tank

Thursday Boots Prima Ballet Flats

You can’t go wrong with a ribbed white tank like the J.Crew Vintage Jersey Scoop-Neck Tank, which is on sale for less than $20. (My exact tank top is a discontinued J.Crew style.) Bold sneakers would be a fun way to add a playful pop of color to this outfit, or you can keep it monochromatic with your go-to white kicks. Since my sense of style skews ballerina-chic, I opted for my favorite black ballet flats from Kendall Jenner-worn brand Thursday Boots. I accessorized with a black shoulder bag—try this $17 style from Amazon—and a sweater tied over my shoulders.   

Another way I love to style Bermuda shorts is to lean into the preppy vibes and dress them up with a pair of heels. It may seem a tad on the nose to wear Bermuda shorts with a tailored button-down, but details like an oversized fit and bright color palette ensure that the look reads more cool-girl than country club. My Frankies Bikinis button-down is out of stock; however, this candy pink Striped Poplin Shirt from Zara is a great alternative.         

Zara Striped Poplin Shirt

Schutz Poppy Sandals

For my shoes, I chose these strappy kitten heel flip-flops from Schutz to elevate the outfit while maintaining the beachy, summery aesthetic. This is something I would wear to dinner with my friends, tied together with some gold jewelry and maybe a beaded shoulder bag or raffia clutch.     

Typically, though, my preferred approach to styling my Mango shorts falls somewhere in between the simplicity of the first look and the dressier energy of the second. Since it has still been pretty chilly in New York, I’ve used Bermuda shorts as a transitional fashion hack paired with sweaters and cardigans. For example, this $21 Amazon Essentials Fisherman Crewneck is a cute, budget-friendly stand-in for my cashmere pullover.         

Amazon Essentials Fisherman Crewneck Sweater

Vivaia Square-Toe Lace-Up Satin Sneakerina 

A true maximalist, I’m rarely one to apply the mantra “less is more” to my personal style; however, there’s just something so satisfying about a timeless outfit formula like Bermuda shorts and a luxe-looking knit. It also leaves room to get creative with accessories, as exemplified by the silk scarf I tied around my hair like a bandana. (Try this Nordstrom option, available in four intricate prints.) Finally, I reached for my ultra-trendy Vivaia Satin Sneakerinas, the undisputed It Girl shoe of the year that has been co-signed by Bella Hadid and Charli XCX.

These three ideas are just the beginning when it comes to the countless ways that you can style Bermuda shorts. Regardless of how you choose to wear them, one thing is certain—you won’t be disappointed by their comfort and versatility. Maybe we should all be taking fashion cues from our dads more often.