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The Bermuda short comes, unsurprisingly, from Bermuda, a concession to the intense heat of the Atlantic archipelago; In certain climates, the British Army admitted, a pair of trousers is unforgivable. However, its influence has long spread throughout the world. “In the 1970s in New Zealand, men called them shorts and they were a staple of formal office wear,” says fashion design professor Andrew Groves, director of the Westminster Menswear Archive. “In California, shorts are synonymous with surf culture.” Smart, relaxed and not too revealing, these knee-hugging variants are loved by grunge loungers and British royalty: both King Charles, as Prince of Wales, and his grandson, Prince George, have been photographed as a couple, in a yacht and on the way to school. respectively.
It is the versatility of Bermuda shorts that makes them a designer favorite: clean and militaristic at Ami Paris or Emporio Armani, borderline elegant culottes at Fendi, alternately ruffled and severe at Comme des Garçons Homme Plus and in printed denim at Louis Vuitton. That brand’s men’s creative director, Pharrell Williams, is a repeat offender in Bermuda: Groves highlights his fashion-forward appearance at the 2014 Academy Awards, wearing a Lanvin tuxedo paired with Bermuda shorts. “This semi-formal approach to men’s tailoring has extended to his work at Louis Vuitton, integrating these shorts into luxury tailoring.”
For Nicola Neri, who designed HTSIWell, a Bermuda never fails. “They tend to make people smile when I wear them,” he says. “A cotton pair can easily make you look ready for a game of golf in Florida, but Willy Chavarria “She makes amazing oversized cotton Bermuda shorts that are super cool.” He cites Prada, Comme and Dries Van Noten as classic references. As for how to wear them: “I tend to wear straight ones that don’t hug my figure too much. “I feel free and very calm with them.”
“It’s a less obvious silhouette,” adds Martin Onufrowicz, features editor at Behind the blinds and another strong shorts champion. “It’s an interesting middle ground between looking casual and dressed up.” But Bermuda shorts, for autumn? Actually? “That’s a big yes from me,” Onufrowicz says. “As for shoes, I like to wear them with a loafer or a simple leather upper. With thick socks, you will barely feel the autumn breeze.”
Model, Bilal Bourhattas in Tomorrow is another day. Cast, Tiago Martins in Ben Grimes. Grooming, Yumi Nakada-Dingle using Davines skincare, Chanel Boy and Chanel No 1. Photography assistant, Emilio Garfath. Stylist assistants, Hayley Downes and Alvaro Merino De Mendoza. Hairdressing assistant, Erika Kimura. Production, Eighty-seven productions. Special thanks to Shannon Pajot.