Figure 1.--.

Bermuda shorts are short pants (Bermudians like the British would say trousers) cut just above the knee. Short pants appeared in Bermuda at the turn of the 20th century, introduced as part of British army uniforms. The shorts were adopted by local Bermudians who introduced colors other than the original army khaki. They were worn with kneesocks and sport jackets. Bermudas are not worn as casual wear, although they were worn on the island and still are as both smart business and evening attire. HBC first notes them in America during the 1950s when magazine adds appeared for adults as informal dress wear for men as worn with knee socks and sports jackets. The fashion, however, never caught on for adults. American college boys began wearing Bermudas in the 1950s as casual wear and younger boys soon followed suit. They were the first short pants worn buy older American boys and helped to lead the war for the gradual acceptance of shorts as popular casual wear for boys in the 1970s. as the casual style for boys caught on. Older American boys until the 1970s continued the Bermuda-style, cut at just above the knee until the 1970s.

Definitions

Bermuda shorts are short pants (Bermudians like the British would say trousers) cut just above the knee. A Bermuda source reports that the correct height for businessmen and civil servants to wear Bermuda shorts is cut 3 inches above the knee.

Origins

Short pants appeared in Bermuda at the turn of the 20th century, introduced as part of British army uniforms. Bermuda Shorts thus are not a uniquely Bermudian garment nor did they originate on Bermuda. The evolved from the short trousers worn by British soldiers which seem to have originated in hot, tropical India where British soldiers began cutting down their khaki trousers. It was not until about the turn of the 20th century that the Army officially approved short trousers for units serving in Britin's tropical colonies. The British shorts were worn with with khaki knee length socks and highly polished brown shoes or in some instances soft suede ankle high boots.

British Regiments in Bermuda were stantined at the huge former Prospect Garrison in Devonshire Parish and at one time in the ancient garrison town of St. George until the 1950's. Other soldiers were posted at Bermuda's many coastal forts in the 19th century and war years of the 20th century. Bermudians civilians began copying the British style of uniforms in the 1920's. Tailors in Hamilton and the Old Town modified the uniforms somewhat and established Bermuda shorts as the destinctive Island fashion.

Local Adaptations

The shorts were adopted by local Bermudians who introduced colors other than the original army khaki. Bermuda shorts can thus be worn in many different colors. They were worn with kneesocks and sport jackets. The kneesocks can also be colorful and eith match the blazer/sports coat or the shorts.

Conventions

Bermuda shorts have become a kind of national dress for Bermufians. They have been declared correct national day and evening attire for any occasion including meetings of the legislature. The Bermuda contingent at many international meetings may wear Bermuda shorts. Bermuda participanrs always wear Bermuda shorts, for example, as their national dress at opening and closing ceremonies of the summer Olympic Games. Bermuda shorts on the Island are not worn as casual wear. They were worn on the island and still are as both smart business and evening attire.

Accompanying Attire

A Bermuda source reports that accompanying Bermuda shorts are Bermuda hose (kneesocks), worn with a white or blue button down Oxford-cloth or other appropriate short sleeved shirt and conservative Windsor knotted striped or corporate insignia or club or regimental tie. The outfit is completed with a single or double breasted navy blue blazer or a sport coat or madras or linen jacket that contrasts with the shorts. The most appropriate shoes are loafers with tassels (either brown or black) to compliment and complement the Bermuda dress shorts.

Spread

Bermuda shorts have spread to other countries, although the conventions for wearing them have changed. The Bermuda shorts worn for both business and evening wear with ties and sport jackets have become better known off Bermuda as a popular casual style.

England

British tourists arriving by steamship in the 1920s and 30s were the first non-Bermudians to begin wearing the new Bermuda shorts. They helped in turn to get into the style and helped spread the fashion to the United States and other countries.

America

Some Americans visited Bermuda in the 1920s and 30s. Many Americans served on Bermuda during World War II. After the War Bermuda became enormously popular as a tourist designation for Americans. HBC first notes them in America during the 1950s when magazine adds appeared for adults as informal dress wear for men as worn with knee socks and sports jackets. The fashion, however, never caught on for adults. While HBC notes this in the 1950s, it is likely that the fashion forst appeared after World War II in the late 1940s. Many American servicemen were stationed on the Island during the War. American college boys began wearing Bermudas in the 1950s as casual wear and younger boys soon followed suit. Acceptance was somewhat regional. They first appeared in the Northeast and I think California. There was considerable resistance in the Heartland (especially Midwest). An Illinois boy recalls being rather experimental when he wore them in 1955. Bermudas were the first short pants worn buy older American boys and helped to lead the way for the gradual acceptance of shorts as popular casual wear for boys in the 1970s. as the casual style for boys caught on. Older American boys until the 1970s continued the Bermuda-style, cut at just above the knee until the 1970s.

Created: January 17, 2002
Last updated: 7:11 PM 5/8/2006