Contemporaine
Dense Pleated Bermuda Short Fit: Straight Leg, High Rise
Contemporaine by Simons Dense Pleated Bermuda Short is a high-rise, straight-leg Bermuda short designed in Canada. It features a flowy yet dense organic cotton blend fabric, front slant pockets with trompe-l'oeil sewn piped pockets behind, and a hidden front hook and eye closure. In size 4, it has a front rise of 10.5 inches and an inseam of 11 inches.
Color
Size
Specifications
- Material
- 50% organic cotton, 47% polyester, 3% spandex
- Gender
- female
- Age Group
- adult
- Condition
- new
Product Insights
The Dense Pleated Bermuda Short from Contemporaine uses a 50% organic cotton, 47% polyester, 3% spandex blend that is dense enough to anchor accordion pleats while resisting shrinkage and stretching without losing shape. Its 10.5-inch rise and 11-inch inseam create a leg-lengthening, office-appropriate silhouette, with pleat shadows, a smooth front, and hidden hook-and-eye closure that eliminate bunching and slim the stomach. Trompe-l'oeil pockets and faux back pockets prioritize uncluttered lines over storage, a tradeoff the buyer accepts for polished summer performance. The polyester wicks moisture and dries fast, and the spandex provides gentle stretch that prevents chafing and retains shape at hips and knees. At 99 CAD, it costs more than a comparable high street short but adds organic cotton and Canadian design.
- Styling
Pleat shadows and a smooth front with hidden hook-and-eye and trompe-l'oeil pockets slim the stomach and lengthen the leg.
Why this is supported
The pleat folds create alternating light and shadow, so
these vertical folds actually camouflage the roundness of the stomach. Instead of seeing a protruding curve, the eye sees a series of shadows and lines that suggest a flatter plane.
bennafi.comAt the same time, the straight-leg cut and built-in crease provide leg-lengthening:
Pleats facilitate this by providing a built-in crease that carries the eye upward.
bennafi.comThe front and back details—hidden hook-and-eye closure and trompe-l'oeil pockets—keep the silhouette smooth and uncluttered. Specifically,
Hidden front hook and eye closure
lyst.comand
trompe-l'oeil sewn piped pockets behind
lyst.comensure the center front and hip lines stay clean.
- Fabric
50% organic cotton, 47% polyester, 3% spandex blend: dense to anchor pleats, resists shrinkage, stretches without losing shape; machine wash cold for fit.
Why this is supported
A dense fabric weight is critical to prevent pleats from billowing:
Avoid cheap fabric here. You need weight. High-quality wool or heavy linen allows the pleats to hang with gravity. Lightweight, synthetic fabrics will just billow like a sail in a gale, and nobody wants that.
bennafi.comThe 3% spandex provides
gentle stretch
kld-tex.comwithout stretch-out, and the polyester content makes the fabric
comfortable to wear, easy to wash, quick to dry and stable in size
chinaknittingfabricfactory.com. For care, to preserve the pleats and high-rise fit,
We recommend machine washing cold on a gentle cycle with like colors and tumble drying low or hanging to dry, as the organic cotton-polyester-spandex blend is best cared for with mild temperatures to preserve shape and color.
What are the recommended care instructions?The 50% organic cotton in the blend is stabilized by 47% polyester, which is
stable in size
chinaknittingfabricfactory.comand
quick to dry
chinaknittingfabricfactory.com, and 3% spandex adds
. The fabric's weight is crucial for pleats:
You need weight. High-quality wool or heavy linen allows the pleats to hang with gravity.
bennafi.com- Summer performance
Polyester wicks moisture, dries fast, and resists shrinkage.
Why this is supported
Industry research confirms that the polyester content provides moisture wicking, quick drying, and shrink resistance. One source describes the fabric's
moisture-wicking property
kld-tex.comwhile another notes it is
quick to dry and stable in size
chinaknittingfabricfactory.com.
- Stretch and comfort
Spandex provides gentle stretch, retains shape, and prevents chafing.
Why this is supported
The spandex content provides gentle stretch and shape retention, while the fabric's surface is non-irritating. Sources confirm the fabric has a
non-irritating surface
kld-tex.comand
gentle stretch
kld-tex.com. The spandex also helps the shorts maintain their tailored silhouette after extended wear.
- Pleats
10.5-inch rise and accordion pleats create a long, lean line with hidden hip room.
Why this is supported
Catalog verified that the 10.5-inch front rise
places the waistband several inches above the natural waist, creating a long, lean line that pairs seamlessly with cropped tops and tucked-in shirts
Real-world fit and sizing feedback — 10_5_inch_front_rise. The accordion-style pleats
create greater room around the tops of trousers, yet have that space collapse when not required
permanentstyle.com. The vertical pleat crease
carries the eye upward
bennafi.com, while the shadow effect
. Stylists recommend this high-waisted, pleat-front design for pear and curvy body types. The hidden front hook-and-eye closure
Hidden front hook and eye closure
lyst.comallows smooth tucking, and the trompe-l'oeil back pockets
trompe-l'oeil sewn piped pockets behind
lyst.comeliminate bulk, keeping the silhouette clean.
- Length and use case
11-inch inseam: polished Bermuda length for work or dressed-up summer.
Why this is supported
Catalog verified that the 11-inch inseam produces
a length that reads as polished rather than beachy
Real-world fit and sizing feedback — 11_inch_inseam, and combined with the high rise, these shorts occupy a style niche between casual Bermudas and dress trousers, suitable for progressive office or dressed-up summer looks.
- Occasion
11-inch inseam and 10.5-inch rise create a leg-lengthening, office-appropriate silhouette.
Why this is supported
The product page measurements confirm an
Inseam length: 11" (28 cm)
lyst.comand a
Front rise : 10.5" (27 cm)
lyst.com, defining a high-waisted, straight-leg silhouette. The center crease from the pleats carries the eye upward, creating a leg-lengthening line, as noted:
Pleats facilitate this by providing a built-in crease that carries the eye upward.
bennafi.com- Shrinkage
47% polyester prevents shrinkage, preserving inseam and rise after washing.
Why this is supported
The 47% polyester content contributes to dimensional stability:
Terylene fabric is comfortable to wear, easy to wash, quick to dry and stable in size
chinaknittingfabricfactory.com, which helps the shorts retain their inseam and rise after washing.
- Smooth front
Hidden hook-and-eye closure eliminates center-front bunching for a smooth silhouette.
Why this is supported
The hidden hook-and-eye closure replaces the bulk of a zipper or button, letting the shorts lie flat across the front and preventing center-front bunching under lightweight or tucked-in tops. The built-in crease reinforces this leg-lengthening effect:
Pleats facilitate this by providing a built-in crease that carries the eye upward.
bennafi.comAdditionally, the 3% spandex in the fabric blend supports the lay-flat behavior without stiffness, and when seated, the pleats pair with the closure to hold the waistband securely without pinching:
The small dose of spandex in the dense cotton-polyester blend allows the straight leg to flex with the body without stretch-out
Real-world fit and sizing feedback — 50_organic_cotton_47_polyester_3_spandex_blendand
The function of pleats is to create greater room around the tops of trousers, yet have that space collapse when not required, keeping the silhouette sharp and clean.
permanentstyle.com- Design signature
Hidden closure and trompe-l'oeil pockets produce a polished, uncluttered silhouette.
Why this is supported
The hidden front closure and trompe-l'oeil back pockets work together to prioritize an uncluttered, tailored silhouette over storage, making the shorts especially suited for office-leaning looks or tucked-in styling. This pairing is a deliberate design choice and a recurring detail across Contemporaine's Bermuda line:
Hidden front hook and eye closure
lyst.comand
trompe-l'oeil sewn piped pockets behind
lyst.comare part of the brand's focus on precise finishing.
- Faux back pockets
Faux back pockets are a deliberate design choice that prioritizes silhouette over storage.
Why this is supported
The same trompe-l'oeil rear pockets appear on the Stretch Dress Bermuda Short, confirming the detail is a deliberate house design code. The description states:
Front slant pockets and trompe-l'oeil sewn piped pockets behind
lyst.comThis explicit wording places the shorts within a fashion tradition and the contemporaneous #WeWantPockets movement, where
women realised how hopeless their pockets were.
bbc.comBy choosing decorative rear pockets, Contemporaine makes a cultural statement prioritizing silhouette over storage. Fit feedback also notes that the faux pockets eliminate pocket bag bulk, preserving a clean rear line.
- Price comparison
At $49.95, it costs ~$16 more than the M&S short, adding organic cotton and Canadian design.
Why this is supported
The M&S pleat-front bermuda is priced at
£19.60
marksandspencer.comand uses
97% cotton, 3% elastane (exclusive of trimmings)
marksandspencer.com. The Contemporaine shorts, at $49.95, are
an exclusive designed in Canada
lyst.comwith
trompe-l'oeil sewn piped pockets behind
lyst.com(eliminating pocket bag bulk for a sleek line, at the cost of storage) and a
Hidden front hook and eye closure
lyst.com. The $16 premium buys organic cotton and Canadian design cachet.
At 50% off the regular $99 price, this short's 50% organic cotton, 47% polyester, 3% spandex blend provides the dense heft needed for pleats to hang properly, unlike the lighter composition of a comparable competitor:
.
- Fit
High-rise pleats expand when sitting, providing room, and vertical creases slim the stomach, flattering pear and curvy shapes.
Why this is supported
The pleats functionally
create greater room around the tops of trousers, yet have that space collapse when not required
permanentstyle.com, which allows comfortable sitting while staying sleek. With an
Inseam length: 11" (28 cm)
lyst.com, the shorts achieve a polished knee-length. For body type, a stylist notes:
The key to this style of pant being flattering is to make sure you highlight the narrowest part of your mid-section.
myvirtualstylist.com.auAdditionally, the vertical folds
these vertical folds actually camouflage the roundness of the stomach
bennafi.com, enhancing the silhouette.
- Care
Machine wash cold gentle, tumble dry low to keep the original rise and inseam.
Why this is supported
The care guide advises
machine washing cold on a gentle cycle with like colors and tumble drying low or hanging to dry
What are the recommended care instructions?, and the polyester's inherent stability supports this:
Terylene fabric is comfortable to wear, easy to wash, quick to dry and stable in size
chinaknittingfabricfactory.com. These together prevent shrinkage and distortion of the tailored fit.
- Shape retention
The shorts resist bagging at hips and knees after prolonged wear, pleats stay sharp, and the rear silhouette avoids sag.
Why this is supported
The 3% spandex provides stretch recovery, so the shorts resist bagging after extended sitting. The pleat design helps:
The function of pleats is to create greater room around the tops of trousers, yet have that space collapse when not required, keeping the silhouette sharp and clean.
permanentstyle.comThe dense fabric weight anchors the pleats:
Avoid cheap fabric here. You need weight. High-quality wool or heavy linen allows the pleats to hang with gravity. Lightweight, synthetic fabrics will just billow like a sail in a gale, and nobody wants that.
bennafi.comThe faux back pockets (
trompe-l'oeil sewn piped pockets behind
lyst.com) eliminate sag from functional pockets, keeping the rear silhouette smooth.
- Closure
The hidden hook-and-eye closure eliminates common zipper failure points, improving long-term waistband reliability.
Why this is supported
The
Hidden front hook and eye closure
lyst.comreplaces a zipper, removing common failure points such as misaligned teeth or jammed sliders and improving the waistband's long-term mechanical reliability.
Image Analysis
3 images- 01
Product
Front view of a model wearing tan high-rise, straight-leg Bermuda shorts with a visible center front crease, styled with a black belt with gold buckle, a brown fitted high-neck top tucked in, and a matching tan cropped jacket draped over the shoulders.
- Shorts shapeHigh-rise Bermuda shorts with a straight, knee-skimming hem and a visible pressed center front crease on each leg
1 region
x 0.28 · y 0.48 · w 0.44 · h 0.37 (high) - Shorts material appearanceSmooth woven fabric with a matte finish and crisp tailoring visible at the front waistband and pleat lines
1 region
x 0.28 · y 0.48 · w 0.44 · h 0.28 (high) - Waistband and closureHigh waistband with an internal fly front; no visible external button on the waistband in this view
1 region
x 0.37 · y 0.36 · w 0.26 · h 0.14 (medium) - BeltBlack leather belt threaded through belt loops with a rounded gold metal buckle and a gold rectangular keeper
1 region
x 0.37 · y 0.38 · w 0.28 · h 0.08 (high) - TopForm-fitting brown high-neck top tucked into the waistband, smooth knit appearance
1 region
x 0.36 · y 0.15 · w 0.32 · h 0.28 (high) - Jacket stylingCropped tan jacket in the same color family as the shorts draped over the shoulders with a visible patch pocket and a decorative gold button on the left front panel
1 region
x 0.06 · y 0.10 · w 0.45 · h 0.42 (medium) - Earring detailSingle visible sculpted gold earring on the model's right ear with a polished metallic finish
1 region
x 0.61 · y 0.03 · w 0.12 · h 0.14 (high)
Other
Studio shot with a neutral off-white background showing the model from head to just below the knees in a three-quarter pose; soft, even lighting and minimal shadows.
- Background and lightingPlain off-white background with soft, even studio lighting and minimal directional shadowing
- Pose and framingModel posed three-quarter to camera, head angled downward and left hand placed at the hip; image cropped just below the knees
- Image qualityHigh-resolution, sharp focus on garments with natural color rendering and no visible text or labels in the background
Colors
camel tan· shorts and jacket#C49D71dark chocolate brown· top#3C2A1Cblack· belt#1C0E09polished gold· belt buckle and earring#BA9375- Shorts shapeHigh-rise Bermuda shorts with a straight, knee-skimming hem and a visible pressed center front crease on each leg
- 02
Product
Front view close-up of high-rise straight-leg Bermuda shorts in a camel/tan smooth woven fabric, showing waistband, belt loops, center front seam and slanted side pockets with one hand inserted.
- Waistband and closure areaFolded waistband with two visible belt loops at front; center front shows a covered fly area with topstitching but no visible button or exposed zipper.
1 region
x 0.23 · y 0.11 · w 0.53 · h 0.16 (high) - Pleat / center creaseSingle pressed vertical crease running down the center of each short leg from waistband to hem, creating a tailored pleated appearance.
2 regions
x 0.30 · y 0.23 · w 0.13 · h 0.60 (high); x 0.56 · y 0.23 · w 0.13 · h 0.60 (high) - Side pocketsSlanted inset side pockets; right pocket partially occupied by hand and left pocket seam visible at hip level.
2 regions
x 0.71 · y 0.16 · w 0.17 · h 0.26 (high); x 0.10 · y 0.17 · w 0.20 · h 0.28 (high) - Fabric appearanceSmooth, matte woven fabric with uniform color and minimal surface texture; fabric appears medium weight and holds the pressed creases.
1 region
x 0.22 · y 0.20 · w 0.56 · h 0.62 (high) - HemlineStraight hem that falls above the knee with clean finished edge and no visible cuff or stitching detail on the front face.
1 region
x 0.21 · y 0.73 · w 0.58 · h 0.15 (high) - Visible model stylingModel wearing a dark brown top tucked into the waistband, visible from waist up to mid-torso.
1 region
x 0.26 · y 0.00 · w 0.48 · h 0.17 (high)
Other
Studio product shot cropped mid-thigh showing model from mid-torso to knees on a plain light gray background with soft, even lighting and minimal shadows.
- Shot compositionCentered crop focusing on front of shorts from just below the bust to mid-thigh; model's left hand rests at side and right hand is in pocket.
1 region
x 0.00 · y 0.00 · w 1.00 · h 1.00 (high) - Background and lightingUniform light gray background with soft diffuse lighting that minimizes strong shadows and produces even color rendering on the garment.
- Image quality and cropHigh-resolution clear image with fine detail visible; lower legs partially visible and image cropped at mid-thigh and just below the chest.
Colors
camel tan· main fabric#B88F64- Waistband and closure areaFolded waistband with two visible belt loops at front; center front shows a covered fly area with topstitching but no visible button or exposed zipper.
- 03
Product
Rear view of a pair of high-waist, straight-leg bermuda shorts in a warm tan/camel woven fabric showing belt loops, a center back seam, two horizontal welt back pockets, and pressed creases on each leg.
- Overall silhouetteKnee-length bermuda shorts with a high waist and straight, slightly tapered legs visible from the rear.
1 region
x 0.08 · y 0.18 · w 0.84 · h 0.66 (high) - Fabric appearanceSmooth woven fabric with a fine even surface and a faint sheen; fabric hangs with soft structure and small natural folds around seat and back of knees.
1 region
x 0.12 · y 0.22 · w 0.76 · h 0.60 (high) - Waistband and belt loopsStraight waistband with evenly spaced belt loops; belt loops are made from the same fabric and color as the shorts.
1 region
x 0.20 · y 0.12 · w 0.60 · h 0.12 (high) - Center back seamA vertical center back seam runs from the waistband down through the seat to the crotch area.
1 region
x 0.48 · y 0.18 · w 0.04 · h 0.40 (high) - Back welt pocketsTwo horizontal welt-style back pockets positioned symmetrically on the upper rear, each with a narrow welt finishing.
2 regions
x 0.18 · y 0.28 · w 0.26 · h 0.06 (high); x 0.56 · y 0.28 · w 0.26 · h 0.06 (high) - Pressed creasesSingle pressed crease visible on each leg running vertically from waist area toward hem; creases are sharper on the right leg in this view.
2 regions
x 0.34 · y 0.40 · w 0.14 · h 0.44 (high); x 0.52 · y 0.40 · w 0.18 · h 0.44 (high) - Hem finishClean straight hem hitting just above the knee with no visible decorative topstitching.
1 region
x 0.12 · y 0.74 · w 0.76 · h 0.14 (high)
Other
Studio-style rear product shot on a plain light gray background showing the model from mid-back to knees with even diffuse lighting and slight shadows; hands rest at the model's sides.
- Background and stagingEven light gray seamless background with no visible props.
- Model visible partsModel's lower back, hips, and both hands are visible; a dark brown top is partially visible tucked into the waistband.
3 regions
x 0.34 · y 0.06 · w 0.32 · h 0.14 (high); x 0.04 · y 0.10 · w 0.18 · h 0.66 (high); x 0.78 · y 0.18 · w 0.18 · h 0.66 (high) - Lighting and shadowsSoft, diffuse studio lighting with gentle shadows under the hem and around natural folds; no harsh specular highlights.
- Image cropCropped to show rear view from mid-back down to just below the knees; waist and hem are fully within frame.
Colors
camel tan· main fabric#B68D61camel tan· belt loops and waistband#B68C61- Overall silhouetteKnee-length bermuda shorts with a high waist and straight, slightly tapered legs visible from the rear.
Documents & Data
Customer Reviews
5 total5 reviews · out of 5
Trop petit
Bermudas très beau mais trop prtit
Un peu grand
Bien
Nice shorts
Nice tailoring and fit.
Idéal pour le golf
Idéal pour le golf
Chic bermuda
Très belle coupe. Tissu confortable.