How to Wear Bermuda Shorts as a Petite, According to a 5’1” Editor and a Stylist

Bye-bye booty shorts—this season, it’s all about Bermudas. Over the past 90 days, searches for the knee-length style have risen by over 5,000 percent, according to data from Google Trends—and that includes searches for “petite Bermuda shorts.” Despite the mid-length hemline and wider-cut leg both being notoriously tricky for petites to pull off, it seems my fellow shorties are just as eager to embrace the trend as the next gal. Speaking as a 5’1” fashion enthusiast myself, I’m all for it.

My philosophy? Never swear off an article of clothing just because you think it’s not right for your body type. (If I did that, I would have never discovered just how much I actually love barrel jeans.) However, you can take a smart approach to styling it in order to make it work best for your shape—or, in this case, height. When it comes to wearing longer shorts as a shorter gal, whether it’s classic cotton Bermudas or A-line denim jorts, I’ve done my fair share of research into the matter—both by way of some outfit trial and error, and by tapping the advice of expert stylist Angela Foster, who specializes in dressing short-statured women.

“[Bermuda shorts are] one of my favorite spring/summer trends, especially when updating clients’ career wardrobes,” says Foster. “Depending upon the style, they’ll go from errands on the weekend, to date night, to the office. Even better, with a few tweaks they’ll be wearable all the way into the fall.” However, Foster adds that “before tapping add-to-cart or rushing to the register, [you should] put them through your personal style filter and [think about] where you plan to wear them. This will ensure they’re actually a helpful addition to your closet versus just another piece you buy but don’t love to wear.”

Luckily, I can help in that department. Ahead, some shortie-approved ways to wear Bermuda shorts, plus Foster’s professional tips and tricks for making ‘em look great on petites.

Angela Foster is a petite style coach and personal shopper who has over 20 years of experience as an executive in the fashion and beauty industry. She specializes in helping high-achieving, short-statured women look and feel their best in clothing that works for them.

Before we get into how to style them, let’s talk about the shorts themselves. For the most flattering short-gal fit, Foster recommends paying attention to both the rise and the length. “Like all things petite, length is everything. Look for an inseam that lands above or below the knee. Anything that hits right at the knee will chop off our vertical line prematurely and make us look even shorter, and often wider,” she explains. As for where the waist should hit? “For most petites, a high-rise version will be the most flattering because it creates the illusion of length. Meaning, they’ll make our legs look way longer.”

Whether to cinch in your shape or add the perfect finishing touch to your outfit, petites should never underestimate the power of a good belt. “They are crucial for petites to keep a flattering proportion and emphasize waist definition,” Foster agrees, particularly when styling looser, wider shorts like Bermudas. To achieve that “effortless cool-girl vibe,” the stylist suggests opting for a contrast, like pairing “a black or chocolate belt with soft white shorts, and vice versa.”