How to Make Cargo Pants New Again
Women’s utility looks borrow from the boys with comfortable menswear styles such as utility jackets and cargo pants. A 90’s girl-band staple, cargo pants are a trending fashion again and again. That’s just how fashion goes: it cycles in a constant spiral of new ways to style the old. So age doesn’t matter. There are lots of different cargo pants to fit your style, needs and comfort level. And then, you can wear them with what you love. Throw out rules to make room for creativity. In this post, I explore how to style some updated looks. And don’t put those cargoes away for the summer, because they can be used in fall and winter too!
Below you will find:
- What are Cargo Pants?
- The Versatility of Cargo Pants
- The History of Cargo Pants
- How to Style Cargo Pants
- 26 Outfit Combinations With Cargo Pants
Shantung Cargo Pant by Ralph Lauren
What Are Cargo Pants?
A great alternative to jeans, cargoes are loose-fitting casual slacks with large patch pockets on the thighs. The pockets are handy for carrying your cell phone (which will also count your steps throughout the day if you have the app for that!) This style of pants will give any look that effortless touch.
Cargo pants or cargo trousers, also sometimes called combat trousers (or combat pants) after their original military purpose, are loosely cut pants originally designed for tough, outdoor activities, and whose design is distinguished by one or more cargo pockets.
Cargo shorts are a shorts-length version of the pant.
There are skinny cargo pants, but then you have to give up using the pockets!
The Versatility of Cargo Pants
So let’s see: cargo pants are comfortable, effortless, have handy pockets, look good whether you’re short or tall, and go from day to night with a just a change of your top and accessories. They work well for travel, too.
They’re so versatile! You can style them down with a pair of sneakers and a casual top, then turn around and wear them out to dinner with a pair of strappy heels and a special evening top.
Since these pants have a unisex vibe, you can style them for business wear too. There are certain styles that work perfectly for this. Choose cargo pants in a nice fabric like silk or a trouser style. Try them with a elevated pieces such as a flowing silk blouse, an oversize jacket or sleeveless blazer in feminine neutrals like ivory, blush or pale pink. Add pearl jewelry and either flats or heels.
The History of Cargo Pants
First worn by the British Armed Forces in 1938 – and the US Army during World War II – cargo pants were designed with large pockets to fit bandages, maps, rations, ammunition and other battlefield essentials.
Cargo pants are often but not always made of hard wearing fabric with rugged stitches. Originally, this pant style used quick-drying synthetic or cotton-synthetic blends and featured oversize belt loops to accommodate wide webbing belts.
The garments are characteristically designed to allow bending at the knee and hip, and are sewn with felled seams for strength and durability. They were made to be practical for multipurpose activities including camping, hunting, work wear, hiking etc. They are meant to be durable, functional, and comfortable.
How to Style Cargo Pants
In this year’s designer showing, the slouchy cargo pants were the perfect antidote for more structured, sophisticated pieces. They work beautifully with neutral shades and tailored cuts. The beige color trend looks good in cargoes as well as the pieces that you put with them.
This year think beyond utilitarian and casual, although that’s okay too. Try pairing your cargoes with something feminine and soft, in the same way that menswear pieces are made suitable for women.
Tops: Wear with a lacy top or romantic blouse or tuck in your favorite sweater Wear voluminous cargo pants with a fitted or crop top. If you don’t wear crop tops, try tying a blouse at your waist.
Belts: If you want to wear a belt, cinch your waist with a brown leather belt to go with a classic or utility vibe, or add a chain belt for more edge.
Shoes: Wear this pant style with heavy-duty shoes or combat boots, statement sneakers, Western boots, or dress them up with heels. Wear tan cargo pants with white ankle boots. Wear flats with ankle-length cargo pants and heels with longer-length cargoes.
In the different looks that Sundance styled for their Organia Lace Pants above, you can see that cargoes look good with a lace or eyelet top, a kimono, a boho top or tank. Then add sneakers or sandals for a casual spring and summer look.
Outfit Combinations with Cargo Pants:
For Various Occasions:
- For brunch: An oversize blazer + a simple t-shirt + cargo pants. Add a belt + layered gold necklaces and earrings. To take the outfit up a notch, you could add a silver mini bag + silver boots.
- For a dinner date: Cargo pants + a white blouse with a low neckline. You might like to add an oversize lilac blazer for a pop of color. Add heels to make the look more feminine.
- For a casual dinner out: A blouse + cargo pants. Add metallic footwear and nice jewelry.
- Day to Evening: A black tank top + cargo pants + sneakers + a belt bag. For evening, change into a fancy tank top + heels + an evening purse.
- Business Casual: A white button-down tucked inside cargo pants + leopard-print heels.
- Casual Days: Any shirt or tee + cargo pants + flip flops or flat sandals. You can spice it up with a piece of safari-style jewelry.
- Evening: A sequined top + cargo pants. You may want to tuck the top in at the front a bit. Add platform pumps + bangles + hoop earrings.
With a Jacket:
- Khaki blazer + cargo pants + matching camisole. Add matching sandals + hoop earrings.
- A white top + white cargo pants + a jacket. Add heels.
- A black t-shirt + a black longline blazer + cargo pants. Add a belt + mules.
- Ivory cargo pants + a long-sleeve ivory t-shirt + a beige jacket. Add a leopard-print scarf and belt. Loop the scarf around your neck, then tuck into the jacket buttoned by only one button.
- Cargo pants + a plaid blazer.
Tried To Tell You Cargo Pants from Free People with a blazer and tank or tee…don’t forget the sparkle boots! - A jean jacket + an embellished t-shirt + tan cargo pants. Roll up the cuffs on the pants. Add a necklace + sandals + straw hat.
- A jean jacket + ivory lacy tank or cami + tan cargoes.
- A corduroy jacket or blazer + cargoes + a top to match the pants.
With a T-Shirt
- A graphic tee tucked into cargo pants + heeled mules.
- A neutral-color t-shirt + cargo pants. Add a couple of narrow bangles.
- A brown t-shirt + neutral toned cargo pants such as white, tan, sage, olive, charcoal or black. Add gold earrings, etc.
- A white tee or button-down + cargo pants. Try a messy tuck. Add a big pair of earrings + a bracelet + heels.
More Ideas:
- A hoodie + cargo pants + Western boots.
- Wear a romantic top with cargo utility pants.
- Cargo pants + a crinkled silk tank + a sparkly sheer blouse worn open as a jacket. Add sparkly sandals. Everything should be in the same color tone.
- A white blouse tied at waist + cargo pants + white ankle boots. You may like to add a belt.
- A turtleneck in a color to match cargo pants. Add ankle boots.
- Skinny cargo pants + an oversize sweater. Add ankle boots.
- A striped tank top messy tucked into cargo pants + a matching-color cardigan. Add flat tan sandals + a pendant charm necklace.
- A camisole + cargo pants. Add sandals + a bracelet + rings, etc.
- A shearling or fleece vest + a long-sleeve top tucked into cargo pants.
- A flowing top (draped cardigan, draped tank, etc.) + cargo pants. You might like to add a cross-body bag.
Let’s Connect!
Do you have cargo pants? Are you going to get some? Did the information and ideas here make it easier for you to style your cargo pants? We would love to hear from you! Please leave a reply below!
Like this post? You might also like to read:
- How to Wear the Popular Athleisure Look
- How to Get the Cool and Casual Safari Look
- Exactly How to Style the Urban Safari Look: 100’s of Ways
- How to Unlock the Amazing Versatility of the Utility Jacket
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