The popular baggy cargo pants were not always on trend. Before they broke into street style, they were worn by hunters, construction workers, laborers, and generally all those who valued above all the convenience and functionality of this thing. Today, cargo pants have become an invariable attribute of everyday style and have found their place in the closet of many men. In this article we will tell you what these pants are, how they appeared and what to wear them with.
Cargo pants: features
Traditional cargos are baggy, spacious pants that have large patch pockets in addition to the usual ones. They are located on the sides of each pant leg, usually at the bottom of the thigh. The pockets are closed and secured with buttons, Velcro, zippers so that large items can be placed there. And the number, shape and size of pockets varies from model to model.
How did they come to be?
Like many other items in the men's closet, cargo pants came about because of the military. This model was first developed in 1938 specifically for British soldiers. The spacious pants did not restrict the movement of the soldiers, and the single patch pocket on the front of the thigh could hold a map, medicines, and other items.
Just a couple years later, such a model appeared in the arsenal of the U.S. military. The first specialized paratrooper uniform, the M-1942, featured cargo pants with patch pockets on the sides rather than the front as in the British version. This arrangement of pockets was more convenient and did not interfere with movement. And due to their capacity, they could carry ammunition, rations and other important items in full combat readiness conditions.
Trousers-cargo proved so successful for military operations that the Americans in the future to all models of soldiers' pants began to add voluminous pockets.
After returning from the war, the men adapted the cargo pants for everyday life. They were mostly worn by laborers, fishermen, hunters, and anyone else who needs to carry a lot of little things with them. In this case, only functionality mattered, and the cargos became increasingly baggy, with lots of overstuffed pockets. Consequently, wearing them in public was not the best thing to do.
The year 1990 was the peak of popularity of cargo pants - they were worn by rappers, skaters and other representatives of hip-hop culture. They had little interest in the functionality of the pockets. It was enough that the pants featured comfort and made a great set with equally baggy clothes and sneakers.
Modern designers have stylized trousers-cargo, removing unnecessary clutter of pockets, narrowed the width and made a model that will be appropriate in everyday life. They can be harmoniously incorporated into a casual look in combination with boots, as well as with sneakers and a sweatshirt.
What to wear with?
If you are going camping or looking for cargo pants for outdoor activities and travel, you can choose any model and wear with what you are comfortable with. But if we talk about urban realities, not all models can be worn in everyday life. Especially if style rather than functionality is important.
First, forget about camouflage colors - they are very difficult to combine with the usual closet. It is better to give preference to restrained monotone colors (black, gray, brown, blue, sand). They are much easier to pair with and will become another versatile piece in your arsenal.
Take into account that the pockets on the sides add extra volume in the hips. Therefore, it is better to choose models with compact side pockets without additional patches, chains and other paraphernalia.
If you pick the right trousers-cargo, they can be combined with many things, on a par with the usual jeans or chinos. Cargo is worn with flannel and denim shirts, voluminous cardigans, sweaters, light jackets, T-shirts. From shoes go well with sneakers, high sneakers and leather boots.
