I went from being the girl who hadn’t purchased denim shorts in (many) years to one who now has a range of styles and loves them ALL. It’s as if they began calling out to me like a fog horn —
“Aaaaammyy…Aaaaaaammmyyy”
Boy, I have been making up for lost time.
But out of my lovely collection denim shorts collection, there’s one pair, in particular, I keep reaching for: the Agolde ’90s Pinch Waist Shorts. These could be considered many different things: Bermuda shorts, mom shorts, dad shorts, the shorts your school principal wore in his off-hours, or more simply, long denim shorts. I’m finding that they are surprisingly very versatile, much more so than the shorty short cut-offs I own.
Shop Shorts: Shopbop | Free People | Revolve | Bergdorf Goodman | Neiman Marcus
7 Cool Summer Outfits With High-Rise Bermuda Denim Shorts
What I love about Bermuda-style shorts is that you aren’t locked into one length, you can actually play with them a bit depending on your mood. Want a bit more skin showing? Good, roll them babies up! Forgot to shave the top part of your legs this morning? No problem-o!
The Agolde ’90s Pinch Waist shorts are a bit tomboy left full length, a bit beachy rolled up, yet surprisingly a little chic any way you wear them. So how DO I wear them? Dressed up, dressed down, and all around town. Here are seven ways I’m wearing these Bermuda shorts this summer:
1. Agolde ’90s Pinch Waist + A Button-Up & A Bun
There’s something about a button-up and a bun that makes me feel a bit more put together-great for trips with my kid to the pediatrician or I imagine someday, school drop-off & pick-up.
shorts | top | bag (similar) | shoes & here (similar pairs)
…About That Backpack
This bag is actually my diaper bag (backpack) and it’s the greatest of all time. I keep meaning to do a review post, but when it’s restocked it sells fast, and I haven’t seen a restock in a minute. The non-backpack version IS in stock, though! I also own this and it’s literally just as good except it can’t go on your back. Which, when carrying around my 90th-percentile baby, it’s nice to not have to hold my bag. Honestly, though, the regular version is so good I would recommend it as a normal everyday bag. It is waterproof, has the most well-thought-out and designed pockets ever, and comes with a million brilliant baby additions if you do currently have a little one.
2. Agolde ’90s Pinch Waist + Graphic Tee & Pool Slides
This is honestly the easiest (laziest?) way to wear a good pair of long shorts. Slap on a comfy graphic tee, squishy sandals and you’re set for a day of summer-anything.
shorts | tee (similar) | slides | sunnies
Anyone else seeing pool slides (or ‘scuba slides’) absolutely everywhere? I mean, to the point where I can barely find them in stock right now. I couldn’t escape them and at first I thought they were kind of a joke. But I GAVE IN and ordered this pair (but here’s a ton more colors in a similar sandal). WHY DO THEY HAVE TO BE SO COMFORTABLE?! Not to mention, just incredibly brilliant for the actual pool + beach (waterproof, sand shakes off instantly, roomy fit for running quickly around a hotel, etc).
3. Agolde ’90s Pinch Waist + A Graphic Sweatshirt & Sneakers
When it’s cooler outside, or you just need some comfy vibes, swap the graphic tee for a sweatshirt. I’ve worn this one out in blog posts, I’m sure, but it’s just so good. And if nothing else I certainly should have proved by now that the cost per wear is EXCELLENT.
shorts | sweatshirt | shoes | bag
I let my love for gen-z trends take a backseat for just a moment with this look and left out the tube socks with my sneakers (even though I just found a new pair I love more than my beloved Nike socks). With the shorts being extra long, it’s nice to let a bit more leg show and go sockless. Luckily, these Reebok Club C 85 Vintage sneakers are some of the softest sneakers I have ever worn and wearing socks with them *might* just be an insult. They come in a ton of rad colors, too.
4. Agolde ’90s Pinch Waist + A Camp Shirt & Heels
I recently rounded up some easy tops to wear with high-waisted denim that were short enough to be considered cropped, but not so short that my belly sticks out. That perfect length. It feels a bit more proportional than my normal oversized tops, and I especially have fallen in love with “camp shirts” like this one since they’re so easy to dress up and down!
shorts | top (similar) | shoes | bag (similar) | sunnies
If you’ve glanced at any of my past blog posts–or follow along on Instagram–you may have seen a mention or two about me not owning heels. I’m 5’9” (taller with better posture but, c’mon), not necessarily graceful, and just crave the type of comfort sneakers and a hoodie can provide (my true uniform). The last pair of heels I purchased was in my early 20s when I landed a professional office job (not to toot my own horn but my outfits were SO CUTE, I loved dressing for an office). I didn’t even wear heels on my wedding day. But something about these heeled booties spoke to me…no, they sang. So, I have been blissfully pairing them with anything I can these past few weeks.
5. Agolde ’90s Pinch Waist + A Bodysuit & Market Bag
One of the most comfortable summer outfits I keep reaching for are these shorts and a bodysuit from Abercrombie & Fitch. The kids over at A&F just KNOW how to make a bodysuit — they are soft, stretchy, and fit well on my long torso. Between the longer inseam of the shorts, and the fact that this top can’t come untucked, makes for the most practical outfit to clean the house, chase after children, or run into any human you know out in public.
shorts | top | sandals | market bag (similar) | sunnies
I call this my “Farmers Market” look. I always grab a straw tote when I’m headed to our local weekend market, and these shoes are made for walking. But I get it, not everyone is into the fuzzy-sports sandal (I wasn’t either, until these) so swapping them for any comfy sandal is good for cruising around the market vendor booths!
shorts | top | market bag (similar) | sunnies
6. Agolde ’90s Pinch Waist + A Shirt Jacket & Birks
shorts | bodysuit | shirt jacket | sandals | sunnies | market bag (similar)
Birks are a classic, but if you want to slightly reinvent the classic grab this “big buckle” style for a bold take on the favorite sandal. This is that same “Farmers Market” look, but you know, on the chilly days. Grab your favorite shirt jacket (if you don’t have one: THIS). The Ruby Jacket is like your favorite oversized sweatshirt but in button up form-it’s brilliant (and comes in brilliant color options).
shorts | top | shirt jacket | market bag (similar) | sunnies
7. Agolde ’90s Pinch Waist + Bodysuit & Blazer
shorts | top | blazer (similar) | shoes | bag (similar) | sunnies
Go from the market to the wine bar by throwing on an oversized blazer and swapping the sandals for heels! There’s something about dressing up denim bermuda shorts that I am HERE for. Maybe it’s because I’m not naturally a dressy person and this seems to marry my love for comfort with the attitude of a ‘going out’ look.
shorts | top | blazer (similar) | bag (similar) | sunnies
If the Ariana Grande hairdo ain’t your thing, pulling your hair into a simple high ponytail would be très chic!
Fit Notes: I chose to size up in the Agolde ’90s Pinch Waist Shorts (wearing the wash: Marquee) since they were a high rise and I’m thicker in my mid section. I’m wearing a 29, but they actually sit a bit loose and slightly loosen with wear, which makes me believe my true size would have worked great. I realized I preferred the slightly baggy look, but if you’re looking for something a bit more fitted, I would recommend your true size!
Shop More Bermuda-Style Denim Shorts
A look I didn’t style but now am wishing I had? A true ’90s dad look-baseball hat, belt, crewneck, tube socks with sandals or just sticking out of sneakers… but that, of course, would break my original train of thought with preferring to forgo the socks to show off a little leg… but like, I might just need some more ’90s vibes in my life.
Xx,
Amy
PS: Who caught the FRIENDS reference I not-so-subtly dropped in here? “You want me. You need me. You can’t live without me. And you know it. You just don’t know you know it.”
Let’s be friends on Instagram! Sharing life from my sleepy little beach town, my professional photo work, and the occasional drink recipe, because it’s 5 o’clock somewhere.
