How to Style Summer's Most Divisive Shorts Trend, According to One Editor

With summer just around the corner, we couldn’t be more ready to bare our legs again—and what better way to do so than with this season's buzziest trend: Bermuda shorts. The modest, knee-length silhouette remerged on the recent runways of Miu Miu and Dries Van Noten as the style-to-watch—only for 2025, they’ve been reimagined in everything from tailored suiting fabrics to classic denim to relaxed, oversized cuts. Whether you’re dressing them up with a blazer and heels or keeping things casual with button down shirt and sandals, Bermuda shorts are endlessly versatile and effortlessly polished. To help you get inspired, I’ve rounded up 10 chic ways to style the modest warm weather staple this summer.

‘90s Cool Girl

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I think we can all agree Hailey Bieber is the undisputed queen of effortless, cool-girl style, and her take on Bermuda shorts is no exception. Here, she took a simple combination of white, low-slung Bermuda shorts and a matching baby tee, and made it stand out instantly with black fisherman sandals and matching accessories. Proof you can’t go wrong with a it of contrast.

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Relaxed Tailoring

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Bermuda shorts are polished enough for your 9-to-5 or conservative settings, and Jessica Alba in this this gray cuffed pair is your proof. The key is styling them with elevated pieces, like say a matching blazer, and refined accessories (think: minimal heels, gold hoops, and a ladylike purse) to pull the look together. With the right balance, Bermuda shorts can be a summer-friendly alternative to traditional workwear.

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Denim on Denim

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No summer wardrobe is complete without denim shorts, but lately, that means more if they are also longline. Like your favorite pair of jeans, Bermuda jorts can be dressed up or down in about a million different ways. You can wear them with a trendy striped polo (more on that below) and sneakers, a basic white tee and kitten heels, or you can take the Simone Ashley route and go for a double denim look. If you’re open to experimenting, be sure to choose coordinating pieces with similar washes—and don't be afraid play with proportions as the Bridgerton star did with her oversized bomber jacket and chunky Prada loafers.

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Laidback Elegance

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Gwyneth Paltrow is giving us a masterclass on the art of styling Bermuda shorts for spring/summer. In a recent mirror selfie, Paltrow paired a voluminous below-the-knee silhouette with an oversized button down shirt, resulting in a look that is the epitome of laid-back elegance and understated style. I could so see this outfit working with sneakers or a simple pair of thong sandals.

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Foolproof Button Down Styling

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When in doubt, a fitted button down shirt makes every outfit look effortless and sophisticated. Case in point: Kerry Washington looked fabulous in a navy blouse with white, tailored Bermuda shorts and camel brown accessories.

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Summer Leather

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Leather? In summer? It's doable without overheating. Follow Camila Mendes’s lead by pairing mid-rise leather Bermuda shorts with a breathable top and open-toe shoes for an evening look. And then once fall weather peeks its head again, pair the shorts with rich knit cardigans, suede overshirts, and knee-high boots.

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Prep-Core

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If Bermuda shorts are the biggest trend in the “summer bottoms” department, then striped polo shirts are certainly the biggest trend in the “summer tops” department. The preppy collared shirt pairs perfectly with all sorts of looks, but there’s something about the combination of the multi-colored stripes and khaki shorts that strike the perfect balance of polished and cool-girl.

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Pop of Color

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Take a page out of Dries Van Noten’s playbook and experimen with some color. While it may be tempting to stick to neutral tones, a bright pair of Bermuda shorts can add oomph and interest without looking too overpowering. And when complemented by the right accessories and different textures? That’s a recipe for a really memorable summer outfit.

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Summer Suiting

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The easiest way to nail the Bermuda shorts look is with a matching suit set. For summer, opt for softer colors and patterns, such as neutral pinstripes, and pair the coordinating outfit with breezy accessories like woven shoes and bags made of raffia.

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All-Black Outfit

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Yes, you can wear black in summer. Consider this tank-top-Berumda-shorts outfit combination your new off-duty uniform for blistering hot days.

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