Bermuda Shorts At Olympic Ceremony Are A Hit
[Written by Don Burgess]
Bermuda typically gets a sea of praise for the Olympic opening ceremony whenever we walk in in our iconic Bermuda shorts.
Here’s a roundup of some comments from last night.
People magazine had a feature on The Olympics Opening Ceremonies Outfits You Have to see. It said: As in past years, the members of Bermuda’s Olympic team wear a classic: Bermuda shorts!
Zap2it.com’s article on “The must see moments” from the opening ceremony stated: “Other favorite outfits included Bermuda [in their traditional shorts], Australia [carrying a flag with a boxing kangaroo] and Spain in their distinctive white hats.”
The New York Times praised the USA’s Ralph Lauren inspired outfits but also wrote “Bermuda went with classic navy [blazers], worn, of course, with Bermuda shorts.
The USA outfits were also praised by channelguidemag.com but added: “And don’t forget Team Bermuda and those glorious shorts.”
The Chicago Tribune had a “winners and losers” article from the opening ceremony proclaiming Tyrone Smith a “winner”. The article said: “Long jumper makes long leap from North Chicago high school to flag bearer for Bermuda.
Firstpost.com tweeted: “And there you go! Bermuda in their traditional shorts. Super stuff!”
BBC Sport’s tweet had a bit of humour. It included a photo of Bermuda walking in “Bermuda… in case you hadn’t guessed.”
Wherever we go our Bermuda shorts, knee socks & a blazer are always a hit. Nothing says ‘BERMUDA’ louder than a Bermudian male all dressed out in his formal Island attire knee caps & all.
The media always loves it.
How can anyone dislike this comment, please explain?
Probably our ex-tourism minister who absolutely hated Bermuda shorts.
Yep. What he really liked were the custom-made $4,000 blue suits.
A group of us were recently reminiscing about the man who so personified Bermuda Tourism during the time he was Minister of Tourism – Jim Woolridge. He was never seen abroad without his Bermuda shorts, even when visiting Canada in the middle of winter. Jim was, in my humble opinion, our finest ever ambassador.
I heard he’s not so well these days, but I hope he was able to relax and enjoy Cup Match, and I wish him all the best. I sure miss the “Voice of Summer” and those dialect tones!
Wonder what the dislikes would expect us to wear? Looking closely some of those shorts are not true Bermuda shorts. Too long & no taper in the leg though the original short from the British military most likely did not have any taper.
You are probably correct. Apparently they had to do a little mix and matching as the uniforms were delayed in getting to them. The official shorts are by TABS, which certainly have the proper taper and length. I assume individual fittings and altering might also be required.
Cut-off 3/4 jeans, karate slippers and a baygon t-shirt.
Bermuda shorts were introduced by British officers because of our warm climate, and then copied by buisness merchants. So its popular with a certain sector of society while with others its no big deal.
Just like de Gombeys, to a certain sector of society its a a deep rooted identity, while to others its no big deal.
Mmmmmmnm
If you ask most people around the world what they know about Bermuda they will probably say Bermuda Triangle or Bermuda Shorts. So I think using Bermuda shorts was a good thing. Using the Gombeys would have been ok and of course we ALL love them. On. A Worldwide scale though they would not have been as identified as Bermudian.
And your problem with that is exactly what?
Hope Onion Juice does not mind but I love Bermuda shorts, which are instantly recognized throughout the world, and I also love our own unique Gombeys. This is not an either or, nor is it just a certain sector of our community. I always have, and always will associate those Bermuda shorts worn by Jim Woolridge as our Minister of Tourism no matter what the weather.
and some a….h…le has to dislike our NATIONAL DRESS
well come on , it is a bit gay, and by gay I mean happy
There are some Bermudians that are not keen on Colonist traditions like some are not keen on African traditions.
Is that your ‘two different Bermudas’ at work ?
(Same for your other example above)
Nobody associates Bermuda with African dress.
Thats because our African Heritage has been systematically stripped and most Black Bermudians have been mentaly Colonized.
You mean British Overseas Territorial dress.
Bermuda shorts are a unique tradition – long may they last. !
Like de Gombeys
They’re ‘unique’ to Bermuda ? ?
In the Bahamas they’re called ‘Goombays’ and in Jamaica they’re ‘Gumbys’ .
Same concept, just different regions, Africans were distributed throughout de Caribbean, therefore whatever islands they they were enslaved at is where they practiced their traditions.
Regardless which island in de Caribbean African Decendants are born on to identify themselves by through Colonial Independence, they are STILL AFRICAN.
Just like Europeans born anywhere in de world are STILL EUROPEAN !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!