The hem decides whether a pair of Bermudas works: it should land at the knee or just above it, and a relaxed running short doesn’t qualify.
Past that, the pick comes down to where you’re wearing them, since the ideas here run from denim, a plain tee and a tan jacket for a first pair, to a beige blazer with matching shorts for dinner.
Cotton moves between smart and casual with the least effort, linen suits the hottest days, and denim fits weekends.
1. Light Blue Striped Shirt with Beige Bermuda Shorts
Loafers and white socks make this outfit work. They push beige shorts and a light blue striped shirt toward smart casual instead of beach casual.
Keep the shirt tucked loosely or just long enough to skim the waistband, and let the sock show between hem and shoe. Light blue and beige are both quiet colors, so the stripe is the only pattern you need.
I would pick brown loafers over sneakers here; they carry the dressier tone.
2. Linen Shirt with Bermuda Shorts
Linen is the fabric that makes a long-sleeve shirt wearable in summer. A light blue one with beige Bermuda shorts keeps the palette cool and the sleeves cover your arms in the sun.
Roll the cuffs to the forearm and leave a button or two open. Wrinkles come with linen, so I would stop fighting them and wear the shirt slightly rumpled.
White sneakers finish it without effort. This is an easy outfit for a lunch, a walk or a day out.
3. White Shirt with Green Bermuda Shorts
Dark green shorts are a bolder pick than beige or navy, yet they still pair with a plain white button-down. The shirt does the calming; the shorts supply the color.
Go with a crisp white shirt and white sneakers, and skip any other loud piece. Green this deep reads close to neutral, so it needs no help from a busy print.
I like it sleeves rolled and collar open. It has more personality than the usual khaki shorts, with nearly the same effort.
4. Tailored Bermuda Shorts
A clean, structured short next to a loud yellow and green top gives a sporty piece a deliberate look.
Black loafers and white socks tie the sharper half to the casual half. Let the jersey be the single bold item, since the rest is simple.
I would choose a short with a proper, close cut over a baggy one, because the jersey already brings plenty of volume.
5. Zara Relaxed Fit Denim Bermuda Shorts
A relaxed-fit denim pair from Zara is a pretty safe place to start if Bermuda shorts are new to you. Denim feels familiar, and the loose cut keeps things comfortable.
Pair them with a white tee and add a tan jacket on top for a layered look.
This outfit works because nothing in it fights for attention: no strong colors, no proportions to get right, just basic pieces that happen to end at the knee.
6. Beige Bermuda Shorts with Sunglasses
Sunglasses are the small detail that finishes beige Bermuda shorts and a striped shirt. They add polish, and a classic summer look needs little more.
Yellow sneakers are the accent here, and I like that they’re the only loud thing. Keep every other piece quiet so the shoes read as a choice, not a clash.
If bright shoes feel like too much, white sneakers still work with the same outfit.
7. Beige Blazer with Bermuda Shorts
A beige blazer over a blue shirt and beige shorts is the dressed-up way to wear Bermuda shorts, and matching the blazer to the shorts keeps it from looking like a costume.
Keep the shirt in a softer blue so the beige stays the main tone. A cap, like the navy one here, tones the polish down to something relaxed.
I would wear this for a dinner or an event where full trousers feel too warm.
8. White T-Shirt with Black Pleated Bermuda Shorts
Wide-leg pleated shorts turn a plain white tee into a considered outfit. Black against white is high contrast, so the shorts are the only statement you need.
Go with a tee that fits the shoulders cleanly, because the shorts already bring volume. A chain and a bracelet add detail without adding color.
I like this for a man who wants a sharper look with no collar and no fuss.
9. Light Blue Shirt with Navy Bermuda Shorts
Navy shorts and a light blue button-down sit close together on the color wheel, so the outfit looks put together before you try. A baseball cap keeps it casual.
Wear the shirt untucked and open at the collar. Pick a cap in a neutral like grey so it doesn’t compete with the blues.
It’s an easy outfit for a day outdoors, and I would choose it over a printed shirt any time you want something simple.
10. Pink Button-Down with White Bermuda Shorts
Pink gets easier to wear once the shorts are white. A long-sleeved pink button-down with crisp white Bermuda shorts reads fresh and summery, not loud.
Keep the pink pale, and roll the sleeves to the forearm. White slides finish it in the same light palette.
White shows every mark, so I would save this one for warm days when you can keep it clean.
11. Striped Jersey with Wide Black Bermuda Shorts
A striped jersey gets its best use with wide black shorts, which give a sporty top a streetwear shape. Black and white stripes pair with black without any extra thinking.
Wide shorts want a top that isn’t baggy as well, so choose a jersey that sits close to the body. A bandana is a good small add, and I’d stop there.
This suits a casual weekend better than a dressier plan.
12. Tan T-Shirt with Off-White Bermuda Shorts
Tan and off-white are close in tone, so this outfit looks calm and a little expensive for what it is. A tan tee with off-white Bermuda shorts needs nothing bold.
White sneakers keep the palette light. If the tee runs boxy, tuck the front corner in to define your waist.
I like a bag with a pattern here, since it adds the only interest and the clothes stay simple.
13. Denim Bermuda Shorts with Striped Short-Sleeve Shirt
Dark denim shorts take a short-sleeve striped shirt well, and the white tee underneath is what makes it work. Worn open or buttoned, the shirt reads as a layer, not a costume.
Leave the shirt untucked and let the tee show at the hem. Keep the stripe pale so the dark denim stays the anchor.
Blue and white sneakers pick up both colors, so I would not add a third. It’s a simple outfit for a casual day out.
14. Dark Grey Denim Bermuda Shorts with White Tee
Wide-leg shorts in washed dark grey denim look looser and more modern than classic blue pairs. Grey also sits easily next to white.
Keep the tee plain and white, and let the shorts carry the shape. White high-top sneakers finish it, and their height balances a hem that stops at the knee.
I would skip any extra color here; the outfit relies on tone, not contrast. A tee that fits the shoulders cleanly stops the whole thing from going sloppy.
15. Graphic Tee with Leopard Print Bermuda Shorts
Leopard print is the boldest short on this list, and the way to wear it is to treat it as the one loud thing. A red graphic tee is a brave match, so I would keep every other piece plain.
Black loafers and white socks calm the print down and give it some polish. The socks stay visible between hem and shoe.
This is a confident outfit for a weekend walk, and it suits a man who doesn’t mind being noticed.
Fit and Length of Bermuda Shorts
Length decides whether a pair of Bermudas reads as Bermudas at all. The hem should land at the knee or just above it, and a pair of running shorts with a relaxed cut doesn’t qualify.
Check 2 things in the fitting room. Sit down: the hem should fall in a clean line and not bunch up, and the fabric should stay well clear of your thighs.
Bermuda shorts also tend to have belt loops, pleats and a firmer waistband, and that structure is what gives them their polish.
Materials for Bermuda Shorts
3 fabrics cover most of what you will find: cotton, linen and denim. Each pushes the shorts toward a different look.
Cotton is the all-rounder. A cotton pair with a structured waistband works for casual Fridays at the office and for weekends alike.
Linen runs lighter and cooler, so it suits the hottest days. It leans chic, and it will crease, so buy it expecting that.
Denim is the casual, sportswear-leaning choice. It feels familiar and holds its shape, though it is warmer than the other two.
If you are buying only one pair, I would go with cotton, since it moves between smart and casual with the least effort. Add linen when summers run hot, and denim for weekends.
Dressing Up Bermuda Shorts
Bermudas can go well beyond the beach. A crisp button-down and loafers is the simplest way to make them look refined, and a polo with sandals is the relaxed version of the same idea.
For the dressiest version, the original formal outfit pairs a blazer, shorts and knee socks. That is the traditional "Bermuda rig," and it is still a good model if you want to dress them up.
Pick shorts with a structured waistband and a tailored leg, since the blazer asks for clean lines below it. Keep the shirt pressed.
For the office, I would stay with casual Fridays and a dress code that allows it. Check that first, because shorts are a judgment call at work.
Frequently Asked Questions
What looks good with Bermuda shorts?
A crisp button-down and loafers is the simplest way to make them look refined.
For a more relaxed version, a polo with sandals works, and a plain white tee with white sneakers is the easiest start. Keep one piece as the loud one and let everything else stay quiet.
What are the rules for wearing Bermuda shorts?
Let the hem land at the knee or just above it, and choose a pair with some structure, like belt loops, pleats and a firmer waistband.
Sit down in the fitting room: the hem should fall in a clean line without bunching. Then match the top to the cut, so wide shorts get a close-fitting top and a tailored short can carry a bolder one.
Are Bermuda shorts still in style in 2026?
Yes, they remain a versatile and stylish summer choice.
They work in smart and casual settings alike, from a loafer-and-button-down outfit to a plain tee with sneakers. Their knee-length cut and structured look keep them from feeling dated.
What fabric is best for Bermuda shorts?
Cotton is the best single buy, since it moves between smart and casual with the least effort.
Linen is lighter and cooler for the hottest days, though it creases. Denim is casual and holds its shape, but it runs warmer than the other two.
Can you wear Bermuda shorts to the office?
Only if your workplace allows shorts, so check the dress code first.
Casual Fridays are the safest fit. Choose a structured waistband and a tailored leg, and keep the shirt pressed.
