What to Wear with Cargo Trousers?

We love to look at photos with the heroines of street style chronicles for one simple reason, because it is on them you can see something completely new. We mean, of course, unusual combinations of already familiar things in one image. For example, for the last few seasons, we had the opportunity to learn cargo trousers and all sorts of sets with them, as they say, up and down.

In the new round of trends for 2023, the undisputed winner was cargo pants. It all started at the beginning of the year when girls favored wide models with patch pockets instead of joggers or sweat pants. Thanks to the recognizable silhouette and relaxed style, these clothes have been gaining popularity for several years. We've seen them on the catwalks and in street style, and they are a basic piece of a woman's closet. For the last two years, cargo pants have been on the list of top mastheads. It would seem that after such popularity the trend should have come to naught, but in the current collections you can still find pants with patch pockets.

Now they are back to the fashion trend in 2024. The new trend of patch pockets has returned the title of the most fashionable bottom to the cargo trousers and allowed it to stay at the top but in a slightly modified form. From now on, the patch pockets and the pants are even wider. The material also succumbed to modifications and the usual leather, cotton, and denim were added flowing satin and silk.

In general, fashionistas rejoice and confidently combine their favorite cargos in their stylish and bombastic outfits this years. To make the image the most winning, let's see how and with what fashionable to wear cargo trousers.

Transitioning from the military world to women's fashion, this piece of clothing emphasizes comfort with a touch of nostalgia. Since the 1990s, cargo trousers have come to symbolize a certain rap culture and its associated street style, further extending its influence to pop culture in the 2000s.

Today, the spacious relaxed, and comfortable cargo pants with patch pockets on the pant legs are worn by both celebrities and street-style stars. Now cargos no longer cause associations with construction sites or clothes for camping with a tent. These pants are worn in the city too - and combined with very feminine and elegant things.

The classic version of the cargo is loose baggy pants of muted color with patch pockets on the sides. Initially, it was the uniform of the military, and later - the clothes of workers and tourists. Cargo in English means “cargo” because it is convenient to put a lot of necessary little things in the pockets. Today the concept of “cargo” is much broader: pants can be both with pockets and waders, and without them, made of silk or denim, and the color can be from classic khaki to Barbie pink.

Military-style, baggy, and with patch pockets, cargo trousers have become a staple piece of clothing in 2023 due to their versatility and cut. Whether you're out shopping or out with friends, they are suitable for many situations and will add a touch of fashion to your favorite outfit without sacrificing comfort. They are presented as an alternative to jeans and classic pants, as they allow you to create both urban looks and glamorous ones. You can wear them with basic or more sophisticated looks.

The fashion history of cargo pants is so long and varied that it is acceptable to combine them with almost any top. However, if the goal is not to weigh down the silhouette, but on the contrary, to emphasize the slimness, you have to take into account the features of the classic cut. Loose pants, some bagginess in the thighs, narrowing to the ankle - on the one hand, it can hide the fullness, on the other - inevitably creates volume in the lower part of the body, even if we are talking about a thin girl. Do not discount the capacious pockets, which are the hallmark of the cargo model.

In order not to seem bigger than you are, it is logical to play on contrasts, to balance the voluminous cargo trousers with the elegance of the top. The emphasis on the waist, even a slight effect, will turn the main danger of cargo pants into an advantage: free cut in the thigh area will create an attractive, proportional, feminine silhouette. Therefore, options for the top can be considered:

Knitted sweaters with polo collars and turtlenecks with elastic bands. Both are a win-win solution with an unobtrusive retro touch.

Shirts.
Unexpected combinations? Perhaps. But eclecticism is in trend, so the combination with a classic, strict, and monochrome shirt will make the image relevant and appropriate in a business environment. One of the easiest options is to combine cargo trousers with an oversized shirt. Depending on the mood of the image you can tuck the shirt into the pants or wear it loose, and roll up the sleeves or not. Shoes for such a set can be chosen in different styles, including shoes or sandals with heels.

Accessories will add chic to the outfit: a carefully selected belt will emphasize the waist, and decorative epaulets will connect the top with the bottom, emphasizing the military style. However, you should be careful with the latter idea, so that the jewelry on the shoulders does not add unwanted volume and does not make the contours of the figure look rough.

Cropped top.
The hit of recent seasons is perfectly combined with cargo trousers: the combination looks modern and elegant. But you should choose cropped tops made of soft, thin fabric, which does not visually increase the body. Otherwise, the top will seem as large as the bottom, and the overall impression will be heavy. Lifehack: if the exposed belly does not correspond to the weather or dress code, you can wear thin tight T-shirts under the crop tops. The main thing is to take into account the cut of the products and the peculiarities of the figure.

Airy blouse with ruffles.
If you have nothing against romantic style, this move is a great opportunity to make a tough image soft and flirty. The key to success is again in the subtlety of the fabric: the outline of the figure should guess under the drapery and decorative trim. Such blouses are better tucked inside cargo pants: when worn out, the thigh area looks most unfavorable, and the waist is lost.

Leather jacket.
The most comfortable and versatile combo: cargo trousers with a leather jacket. This look is perfect for every day and will instantly make you look like a fashionista. Choose an oversize cut jacket: it is not only the most trendy this season, but also the most practical: you can easily wear a voluminous sweater or hoodie under it. And perfectly complete the outfit with flat shoes: “rough” lace-up boots or sneakers.

Tweed jacket.
You also can play on contrasts: style baggy cargo trousers with an elegant tweed jacket. The result is a stylish and unusual combo for any occasion. You can complement the jacket with an “office” shirt or a basic top - it all depends on where you are going to go. And you can make the look even more interesting with accessories: a bag on a chain and one large earring.

A jumpsuit.
The original model, which last year was taken into account by street stylers. Such cargos are effectively combined with a cropped top and sneakers, a loose-fitting shirt, and slip-ons. Fans of bold combinations are recommended to complement the model with stiletto sandals and an oversized jacket. Such a romantic and elegant image will fit perfectly into active city life.

With a sheer longsleeve T-shirt.
Cargo trousers can easily become the basis for a seductive outfit - just combine them with a sheer long sleeve like the one shown at the Saint Laurent show. To look visually taller and slimmer, choose straight pants with a high fit. Additionally, emphasize your waist with an accent belt. However, if a transparent “top” is too bold an option for you, wear a laconic bra or top under it.

With a suit vest.
The suit vest looks good with cargo pants, especially in a monochrome look. This combination will not cause difficulties with stylization, will always look very effective, and will also perfectly elongate the silhouette. And to keep the “top” not too “open”, wear a T-shirt, shirt, or turtleneck under the vest. The final touch - strict loafers or “masculine” derbies. Now the outfit is suitable even for the office.

With a corset.
The fashion revival of the 2000s is mainly focused on showing off and exposing more of the body, so combining cargo trousers with a corset or bodysuit fits in perfectly with this trend. First, choose cargo pants with a moderate fit and width to balance the volume and length of your legs. Then, pick a corset or bodysuit with decorative lines to draw attention to the waist and create a contrast to the volume of the pants. If you want to soften the stiff look of cargo pants, choose a corset or bodysuit made of soft fabrics such as silk or satin. Complete the outfit with a pair of heels and minimalistic jewelry to create an elegant and stylish look.

Wearing cargo trousers without compromising on elegance is possible. It's a valuable skill and an exciting adventure to create a variety of combinations with any closet item. The key is to follow simple rules: balance proportions and attention to detail.