Bermuda is a pastel-colored paradise—a place of popping pink sand beaches, limestone cottages painted in Easter Egg hues, and brilliant blue seas. It seems only fitting that Bermuda’s national dress codes are as colorful as the island itself: Men, who could either be heading into Parliament or on their way to the boardroom, stroll around wearing bright shorts and knee-length socks.
The “Bermuda rig,” or formal men’s outfit, includes a blazer, shorts, and knee socks—and its origin dates back to the beginning of the 20th century, when British military officers stationed on the island found that wearing long trousers in the hot tropical climate was almost unbearable. They were given permission to snip their uniform pants off at the knee, and thus the Bermuda short was born. Tailors on the island took note, and by the 1920s the trend had taken off. But, in keeping with the air of English formality, the shorts came with a few strict rules: Bermudas couldn’t be more than six inches above the knee and they had to be worn with knee socks—while a jacket and tie was the only suitable way of dressing them up for business.
Nowadays, they come in kaleidoscopic colors, many of which are inspired by the isle’s landscape: there’s Bermuda blue, ocean green, coral red, punchy yellow. One of the best spots to pick up a pair is The English Sports Shop on Hamilton’s Front Street—you’ll find the traditional Bermuda rig, along with cotton crested sweaters, rugby shirts, and perfumes from the original Royal line, at the clothing outfitter that’s been on Bermuda since 1918.
