2025 Fashion Trends: Bermuda Shorts

32 Comments

1. I really struggle with wearing shorts in public at this age, in spite of the Texas heat. I have a lot of cellulite and varicose veins and just can’t get past the way my legs look, even if they are tanned. For some reason I have made peace with going sleeveless, or exercising my “right to bare arms,” as a friend calls it, even though my arms are not in good shape either. It would make sense for me to wear longer shorts in the bermuda or skimmer lengths, as some brands call them. I tried on over a dozen styles this week, but reverted to the shorter 5″ inseam because that length is so much more flattering to the shape of my legs. What I haven’t seen yet are any of the more flared bermuda styles like you found, but I really like the Nordstrom and Talbots options, and plan to try them. The shortest length I wear in public is just below the knees but I really prefer capri length. I took my measurements this week to place some online orders and was shocked to see that I haven’t gained too many more pounds lately, but I’ve gained an extra two inches in my hips. I feel like this is the wakeup call I needed to get serious about losing some of the 30 pounds I’ve gained since losing my mother. I know shopping will be easier if I feel better about the body I’m dressing. I always love reading about your fitness journey and hearing what’s working for you, even though I know it’s not the main focus of your site. Our weight and self image are so closely intertwined, and they can really impact our style choices.

2. I know they impact mine too! So much has changed for me fitness wise since the two foot surgeries, but I hope I can turn things back around in a more positive direction…it is just so much slower now…but I am working on it! Happy Saturday!

3. You have presented a nice collection of shorts. The Bermuda length can be very flattering on some woman. I’m petite, and a shorter inseam is better with my proportions (when I’m brave enough to wear them, haha). It’s really best to try on several lengths and see what works for you. I’m hearing about the shorts with blazers trend, but haven’t gone there yet.

4. I am always warmer than others. 72 in the shade, hardly moving, is IT for me so, yes I like Bermuda shorts. I will use some Sally Hamsen Air-Brush Legs because It’s been a long winter and, as always, I’m looking very pale. I use plenty of sunscreen but I need a bit of naturally acquired color.

5. Really appreciate this post. Excited that longer length shorts are available this season, although I like more of a flared leg than a traditional Bermuda short.

6. I know there are so many lengths and even widths on some of these…I am particularly intrigued by the trouser version.

7. I also add some color once warmer weather comes along…I like the Jergens, but I would like to try the Sally Hansen. Thanks Therese.

8. Hi MaryAnn, you might like the trouser short then…since the leg is wider. Thanks for joining in.

9. Do any of the readers have suggestions for helping to cover varicose veins. Love to wear shorts but hesitate to in public because of the veins. Love your blog. Thanks
   Mary

10. I would like to know that as well, Mary. For me, the longer short helps with the problem. But if there is another way to help cover them, I would share that! It does make a difference to hear from women who have had success with a product!

11. Great post! I have noticed the longer shorts showing up. I welcome the longer length but feel there is a fine line between a length that is right at the top of my knees that seems to accentuate my chubby knees. To me a little shorter looks better. And being a shorter person the shorts usually end up being longer than I like. I also prefer the wider width over the more fitted legs of some of these. Trouser shorts look so pulled together and are as comfortable as denim but looks so much nicer. Time to get out the self tanner. I had an older lady tell me when I was much younger that fat tan legs look much better than fat white legs! I’ll never forget her telling me that. Although younger women don’t seem to be as concerned about tans!

12. When I lived in a lakeside resort town we all wore shorts, generally knee length, all summer and they were considered appropriate for just about any occasion. I still wear shorts in the summer here in the mountains. I wear them around the house and walking the dogs but tend to wear crops for social events. Since I’m petite some styles of shorts hit me in an awkward place like mid knee. I appreciate that Talbot’s offers their perfect short in various length. I’ve had good luck with those. I love the look of the a-line shorts and I think I may have purchased the Chico’s trouser shorts last summer. I haven’t gotten them out yet but hopefully shorts season will be here soon. Thank you Therese for bringing up the Sally Hansen leg makeup. I had no idea that there was such a thing. I can see it being very useful especially when I wear a skirt or dress early in the season.

13. It’s hot here 6 months out of the year so I wear shorts a lot. Talbot’s 10″ and even their 13″ are my favorites. When the sales happen, I’ll pick up a pair or two. Since they don’t have spandex in them like the Chico’s shorts they hold their color well especially the white. A few years ago I picked up 3 pairs of Walmart’s shorts; they are pull on, decent length and for $13 I found them to be good enough for casual days around the house. I encourage all the ladies to find a Talbot’s and take some time to try on all the different lengths of shorts. I just did this with a friend and she was so surprised to find the length which was most flattering for her height and body shape. Of course, the Talbot’s salesgirls are most helpful. As a golfer, I see many women exposing their legs. Truthfully, no one cares what your legs look like; we like to say we celebrate every day we can get out there and bless our aging legs for holding us up.

14. As a petite I agree with Marcia that Bermuda shorts fit my proportions much better than capris do. I do have several wide legged and trouser styles in classic colours and am lucky to have view worthy legs. I have been very happy in finding a proper fit and good quality at Talbots.

15. As have a tendency to run cold, cannot recall the last time I’ve worn shorts but certainly wouldn’t hesitate to do so if I lived in a warmer climate and more of an outdoor type of gal. As to the styles shown, favourite would be the trouser ones since feel they have more versatility to dress up or down. -Brenda-

16. I too like the Talbot’s Bermuda shorts i have several colors, as a petite I have found them to be the best fit!
    I also want to check out the Sally Hansen Air-brush Legs. I play tennis and my skirts are short, leggings are okay for cold wear, but summer not so much.

17. I like Bermuda shorts especially the ones with the wider leg. As another short girl, capris always seem to hit at the widest part of my leg which is not flattering at all. I do prefer wearing knee length skorts when going out, but shorts are my go-to at home & for many family events. You gave given us a wide variety from which to choose.

18. I think I have fat white ones! Need to get busy! Thanks Jeanine…LOL!

19. I am going to join you, Kathie, and get some of the Sally Hansen.

20. Thanks for sharing on the shorts, Linda.

21. Thanks Linda.

22. I hope to try a trouser one soon, just to see what I think of them. Thanks Brenda.

23. Leggings do not work at all for warm weather in Texas. I love the look of the skorts and skirts for athletics as well.

24. The only place I wear shorts right now are around home…I really hope I can change that again soon.

25. As a lifelong Texan, I grew up back in the 1960’s-70’s when everyone believed like Jeanine’s friend that brown fat is better than white fat. Because I have some Native American in my family tree, I always tanned easily and if tanning was a sport I would have been the team captain. In my 60’s I am much more aware of the dangers of skin cancer, but still prefer looking tan in the summer. I wanted to endorse the Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs spray others have mentioned and share some tips I learned from my daughter for using it. Please note this will help camouflage varicose veins, but not completely cover them. For complete coverage, try something like Dermablend Leg & Body Makeup, which is currently on sale half price on Amazon. Instead of spraying Airbrush directly on your legs, spray it into your hand and warm it up rubbing both hands together. Please note this can get messy, so don’t do this on your best bath mat or carpet. It works best on freshly shaved and moisturized legs, but be sure your lotion has soaked in before applying. Work up from the feet/ankles toward your thighs. You can also apply with one of the mitts that come with some self-tanners, but the heat from your hands seems to help it go on smoother. Please note this is more like leg makeup, not a semi-permanent self-tanner. They say it is non-transferrable, but I’ve had it transfer to the hem of light colored capris. I try to wear looser hemlines (skirts or crops) when using it, rather than something that touches at the hem. I think the best results come from applying the Sally Hansen Airbrush spray over a self-tanner you’ve used long enough to see results. The one I swear by is L’Oreal’s Sublime Bronze Self-Tanning Serum, and I usually re-apply it about once a week in the summer. It’s hard to find in the serum, but I don’t feel like the lotion formula works as well so I buy the serum online. My daughter uses Bondi Sands, which is a foaming tanner she buys at Target. I use the mitt that comes with Bondi Sands to apply the L’Oreal tanner, as it helps keep it off your hands. I have also tried Sally Hansen’s bottled version of Airbrush Legs and the Westmore Beauty Body Coverage Perfector but did not get good results. Be sure to scrub your hands and around your nails thoroughly with soap and a nail brush immediately after applying self-tanner so you don’t accidentally stain them. Please don’t interpret this comment as pressure for those who don’t care about being tan to use these products. This is for the women like me who have a deeply ingrained belief that we look and feel better with some color in the summer. Hope that helps save someone from a self-tanning disaster!

26. Thanks for all of this great advice…it helps so much to hear from the experienced.

27. I am 70 years old, 5′ 3″ tall, of Irish descent, and my skin is very pale almost gray. My weight is normal, and I am in decent shape, but I do a lot of things to feel comfortable wearing shorts. And while I once thought 5-6 inch shorts were the best for me, due to cellulite and all that jiggle, I now prefer longer shorts.

    After much trial and error, I like for my shorts to hit mid knee. That is the most flattering for me. If I cannot find shorts in the right length, I will buy pants on sale and shorten them or have them shortened to mid knee. I think that shorts are best on the loose side–I hate when I sit and they bind around my legs.

    Once I have some shorts, I use the Sally Hansen Cream, not the spray, as I find it easier to control and spread. I mix it with a bit of lotion to make it spread more easily, and then do my legs. I let it dry a bit before I put on my shorts or a skort or a dress.

    My next strategy is to only wear beige/tan sandals or sneakers. I chose a color that blends with my leg tone, and then my legs look longer and their is not “cut off” at the ankle from dark or bright sneakers. no socks. I do not coordinate my shoes to my outfit–I just go with a nude for me shoe.

    This is a lot! As the summer goes on and I pick up some color I often switch to self tanner or less lotion.

    I try to remember that all of this beauty stuff is rather ridiculous, as we are all wonderful just the way we are. But sometimes a little help goes a long way!

28. Yes it does, Susan…I little help never hurts. Thanks!

29. Is anyone else having flashing ads , hesitant typing and then your comments go away? I want to sing the praises of Liz Claiborne Sara petite shorts as I’m 5’1” tall. They fit really nice and are good quality.

30. Thank you for singing those praises, Sydney.

31. Please will you write about light weight long pants for those of us who do not wear shorts ever. Jeans get to be too hot and linen gets very wrinkled. Thank you.

32. Will do, Jill.

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