The bermuda gets written off too quickly. People see "boxy" and "shapeless" and move on to the next short. But that's a styling problem, not a fabric problem — and once you know the moves, this piece becomes one of the easiest ways to look pulled-together all summer long.

The trick isn't the short itself. It's everything you build around it.

Define your waist. A bermuda sits at a length where your waist becomes the focal point. Tuck your top, add a belt, or both. This one move does more for femininity than any fabric choice ever will.

Play with proportion. Bermuda shorts are relaxed by nature, so balance them with something fitted up top — or go oversized on top and let a belt bring the shape back. Never let both halves be loose; that's where the silhouette disappears.

Elongate the leg line. This is where shoes do the heavy lifting. A pointed slingback, a heeled boot, even a simple nude sandal — anything that creates a continuous line from hem to floor reads instantly more feminine than a flat, chunky sole.

Choose your fabric with intention. A structured cotton or linen bermuda feels crisp and polished. A fluid, drapey fabric softens the whole look. Pick based on the mood you're after, not just what's in your closet.

Now, the two ways we're loving this week:

Festival mood: Bermuda + cowboy boots. The boot adds attitude and height, the bermuda keeps it breezy. Finish with a fitted top tucked in — this is what stops it from looking like you raided a festival lost-and-found.

Office mood: Bermuda + blouse + belt + slingback. The blouse softens, the belt defines, the slingback elongates. Add delicate gold jewelry and you've got a look that's polished enough for a client meeting and still distinctly you.

A third way, if you're curious: Try it with a silk camisole, a blazer draped (or worn) over the shoulders, and heeled mules. Instant evening-out energy — proof that one piece really can carry your whole week.

The bermuda isn't masculine or feminine. It's a blank canvas. What you build around it decides everything.

Do you have a styling question for us?  E-mail us at hello@reneeantwerp.com