Issue Focus

190,000 Pairs Sold: How K-Pop Made Bermuda Shorts Korea’s Summer Essential

This article highlights how Bermuda shorts have become a seasonal hit across Korea, driven by K-pop

idol styling and male consumer demand. This shows how climate, celebrity influence, and retail

expansion can converge to create a new exportable fashion category.

♦  Explosive Sales Numbers

     • MUSINSA reported over 190,000 Bermuda shorts sold as of July 31, a 9-fold increase year-over-year with

       daily sales averaging 1,200 units since March.

     • Cumulative transaction value rose more than 10x, establishing Bermuda shorts as the summer’s key hit

       item across the platform.

♦  K-Pop Celebrity Influence & Design Origins

     • Originating from British naval uniforms, Bermuda shorts feature wide, loose-fitting legs ideal for hot

       climates such as tropical and desert regions.

     • K-pop idols such as IVE’s Yu-jin Ahn and aespa’s Winter showcased the style on social media, driving

       adoption among all genders.

♦  Platform-Wide Search Growth

     • MUSINSA saw “denim Bermuda shorts” searches surge 120% within the platform following celebrity

       endorsements.

     • LF Mall and SSF Shop reported major upticks: “men’s shorts” searches nearly doubled,

       while Bermuda-specific searches jumped 60–121%.

♦  Climate & Lifestyle Shifts Drive Demand

     • Samsung C&T Fashion noted longer, hotter summers and a shift toward practical, relaxed dress culture

       as key market drivers.

     • Items like 8Seconds Terry Bermuda Shorts and Washed Denim Shorts exceeded 90% sell-through rates,

       demonstrating strong consumer response.

Source

The Korea Economic Daily. (2025. 9. 2)

https://www.hankyung.com/article/2025090264117 (Korean version only)