The Quiz: Why did Bermuda shorts become popular on the eponymous island?
Their police wore them
They were worn during floods
Their length was legally mandated
Their governor named them
Until the 1950s, visitors and locals on the island of Bermuda were faced with a legal mandate for the length of shorts. This meant that women could not wear shorts above the knee, which resulted in long-hemmed shorts styles. The rule was strictly enforced — a “green ticket” for short shorts resulted in a fine. Government officials eventually declared a “Bermuda length” to streamline regulations. This hem length — just above the knee — has been referred to as “Bermuda shorts” ever since.
The correct answer to this quiz is Their length was legally mandated.