Bermuda - Clothing and Dress
Bermudians are fairly stiff-jointed about what’s acceptable and what’s not. Bad language in public is very much frowned upon. Scanty dress is also unacceptable: those wearing bikini tops and skimpy shorts on city streets will receive a friendly warning from the local bobby. For men, shorts worn in public should not be cut much higher than an inch above the knee. A shirt should always be worn in public. Casual sportswear is accepted everywhere.
Bermuda shorts, the famous island tradition, are still worn
by men in every walk of life. These “long shorts” were introduced
to the islands by British military personnel around
the turn of the century. Nowadays during the summer, you’ll
see policemen, complete with English bobby’s hat and Bermuda
shorts, directing traffic or ticketing speeders. The
sight of a banker in a business suit – white shirt, conservative
tie, “trousers” an inch above the knee, tall socks above
the calf, and a pair of highly polished shoes – is a little surprising
at first.
In the evenings you’ll need to dress more formally. Ladies can wear a cocktail dress, and a suit and tie is required for men at most restaurants and hotel dining rooms. Winter evenings can also be a little cool so, if you like to walk, pack a light sweater or jacket.
Tennis players must dress properly on all courts. This means white shorts or white tennis shirts, and white socks and tennis shoes.
Proper attire is also required on golf courses. Shorts must be of Bermuda length, cut just above the knee, and shirts must have collars. No jeans, gym shorts or cut-offs are allowed.
Know Before You Go!