Cover credit: @blueowlworkshop
A few decades ago, cargo pants were just military pants , decked out with pockets and drawstrings for paratroopers. But in 1990, things changed. Cargo pants have become a staple in our everyday wardrobes, making them one of the most popular pants today.
At BonneGueule, we particularly like this piece. Our editor Jordan has also dedicated an entire video on the ways to wear these pants:
Practical, cargo pants are a real alternative to chinos and jeans . By playing on a few twists, you can also place them in outfits that are very different from the initial style of the piece. In short, these are pants with great potential as long as you choose them well.
Moreover, we offer our own cargo ships with our own touch of originality!
The right cut
Granted, we say it for pretty much every piece, but it's important: the cut is really everything here.
A cargo pant is characterized by its two patch pockets on the side. In other words, it is a pair of pants to which volume is added on each leg. If the piece is poorly cut at the start, the result will not be satisfactory.
It is its side pockets that characterize a cargo.
So all this brings us to the fit.
Here, it would be futile to seek the same result as on jeans. Most of the time, you will find a little more ease in the thighs than on chinos, for example. As far as possible, do not hesitate to try: there is a certain balance that can sometimes be difficult to find.
That said, depending on how you want to wear it, you can imagine a more or less wide leg width. This is especially the case for "traditional" workwear looks, we will come back to this later.
Pants for all body types?
Over the years of being in contact with him, we have been able to realize that this piece carried certain preconceptions.
I like the style of cargos, that's not the problem, but my thighs are too big to wear them.
So, should we reserve its port for the most discerning among us? Fortunately, no!
Friends with muscular thighs, here is the solution: pay attention to the position of the pockets. Poorly positioned on the piece, they will poorly distribute the volumes on the silhouette.
Besides their placement, also look at the shape of the pockets : are they puffy? Do they look full even when they are empty ?
Our Kamikoshi model features a straight cut with a marked volume highlighted by the beautiful hold of the fabric .
As for the pockets, they are wide and asymmetrical on the front of the leg.
“A cargo ship, yes, but in what material?”
Cargos are available in several different materials . Wool flannel, cotton serge, canvas, ripstop or denim, there is something for everyone. However, be aware that most models are made of cotton.
For a winter cargo, we would rather advise you to take a wool flannel with a "velvety" texture. This material will contrast nicely in your looks.
If you want a durable cargo, the ripstop one will be perfect. This material is truly all-terrain, especially thanks to its stretch side.
How about trying corduroy for a fall-winter cargo? Hokokuji pants
For an all-season cargo, a mid-weight cotton gabardine material will work just fine.
Here is an example of a 100% cotton all-season cargo pant .
A small point that is important: favor natural materials as much as possible. They will be more durable and more aesthetic.
What about colors?
Given its military origins, there are many variations of the cargo in earth, sand or khaki shades .
It's purely a matter of taste, do as you please.
As a general rule, the cargo remains faithful to its origins for the color: khaki, sand shades, earth, beige...
It is obviously a very good alternative to chinos, but also to dress pants.
Thanks to its structure, it is a stronger piece than pants without pockets . It easily brings character and contrast to our outfits... and is more versatile than you think!
Come on, let's go for a little tour.
Twist a dressy look with cargo pants
This is a well-known association among our friends at Pitti. This time, you are sure to hit the mark in terms of style contrasts!
This is the whole point of this idea: to offset formal pieces with much more raw clothes , taken from another universe.
@shuhei_nishiguchi
With flannel cargo pants, it works too. The effect is even pushed a little further, in the sense that the material of the pants echoes that of the jacket.
Besides, the outfit is not based on a 100% formal basis. It is important to maintain this balance, otherwise you risk seeing contrasts that are too marked.
Our advice:
- play on the shirt - denim, chambray, oxford, Japanese weave... -
- but also on shoes : brogues, boots, even small white sneakers
The main thing is to stay in the right proportions between dressy and casual . So no more Richelieus or immaculate poplins!
© (Credits: StreetFSN.com)
Integrating a fine knit is also a relevant idea: it breaks up the formality of the top of the outfit and brings an additional touch of color.
Be casual in cargo
One of the most common combinations is to pair a cargo with a structured jacket . Perhaps it is due to its military origins. The cargo / leather jacket combo almost always works. Both pieces belong to this very workwear imagery, they both refer to "raw" influences.
The outfit is framed by a black perfecto. The other elements add the casual side to the outfit, like the hoodie, the sneakers or even the sunglasses.
Either way, you have a choice. Here, treat your cargo like a chino: in casual looks, the two are often interchangeable . So there is a wide field of experimentation that presents itself to you.
Integrating cargo into streetwear looks
As I was saying, in a casual context, cargo pants can easily replace chinos or even jeans. Try them and you'll see that the chances of making a mistake are slim.
It can then be interesting to try new things, in particular by relying on volumes as streetwear loves to do so much.
@sketychbyritha
Cap, sneakers, bag... no doubt, it's definitely streetwear. In this drawing, we can see a significant volume at the level of the pants, which is not a problem for two reasons. First, the top of the outfit remains quite fitted, we are far from the Michelin Man effect. In addition, the hem finely finishes the leg, avoiding an accumulation of material on the shoe.
While it may not be the most obvious of looks, it's a lot less complicated than it seems. Otherwise, on days when you want to be comfortable above all else, a sweatshirt will do the trick!
Cargo and workwear style, let the pants express themselves
It’s impossible to talk about cargo without focusing on workwear! Of course, the original style of the piece blends perfectly into this type of outfit.
Here is a workwear look that works well. The cargo is paired with an ecru hoodie, a pair of leathers and an olive jacket.
So far, we are in a relatively "obvious" reading of the piece. That said, nothing prevents us from mixing different workwear influences within a single look .
@feelingmadcute
Our selection: where to buy cargo pants?
A short, non-exhaustive list of brands to rummage through!
- Maharishi : super-resistant models in organic cotton with a historical side (M65 knee strap). The material is naturally aged to give it a vintage patina.
- wing+horns: a worked cut and 100% thick quality cotton. The brand manufactures in Canada.
- Stone Island : specialized in technical clothing with a beautiful DA. Their cargos have a beautiful design although the brand has a little hype side.
- OrSlow: Japanese brand that produces quality clothing with a workwear DNA, but which is still a little expensive.
- Informale : The beautiful Australian brand of cargo pants with a rather straight cut, without excess.
- Surveyor : This beautiful brand offers some cargo pants, which you can find at distributors such as Elevation Store, Graduation Store, Kafka Mercantile, Rendez-vous Store for example.
For those with a sweet tooth, here is a short list of additional brands:
- 18 east
- Monitaly
- 1st PAT-RN
- Sage of Crete
- Soundman
- Nanamica
- RRL
- Japan Blue
You will find other brands in this article:
How to wear cargo pants?