Characterized by the presence of one or more side pockets, cargo pants offer both comfort and utility. You can wear them when working outdoors, running errands around town or for pretty much any other casual occasion. Even if you’re familiar with the basic design of cargo pants, though, there are probably some things about them you don’t know.
What Are Cargo Pants?
Also known as combat trousers, cargo pants are full-length pants that feature one or more side pockets about halfway down the pant legs. Of course, it’s not uncommon for pants to have pockets. Normally, these pockets are found around the top of the pants, specifically the left and right sides of the waistline. Cargo pants are distinguished from other full-length pants, however, by featuring a different placement for the pockets. In addition to the standard pockets found near the waistline, cargo pants feature one or more sides pockets — known as cargo pockets — farther down the pant legs.
According to Wikipedia, the origins of cargo pants can be traced back to the late 1930s, during which they worn by soldiers in the British Armed Forces. Shortly thereafter, the United States military adopted cargo pants in their uniforms. Both militaries discovered the utility of cargo pants. When wearing them, soldiers were able to carry more items.
While cargo pants were originally invented for military use, they’ve since made their way into the civilian world. For decades, fashion-conscious men and women from across the world have worn cargo pants as part of their daily attire.
The Benefits of Cargo Pants
Cargo pants offer a variety of benefits, one of which is greater utility than that of traditional full-length pants. Regardless of what you do for a living, you’ll probably carry small items on a regular basis. Maybe you need a place to carry your car keys, or perhaps you have a flashlight you need to carry around. Regardless, cargo pants make it easy to carry small items such as these. Even if they won’t fit in the standard pockets near the waistline, you can probably store them in the large cargo pockets farther down the pant legs.
There’s no denying the fact that cargo pants are stylish as well. The presence of the cargo pockets adds a new visual element to them that’s not found in other pants. Furthermore, you can find them in most colors. Maybe you prefer cargo pants in a traditional color like beige or blue, or perhaps you want cargo pants in a bolder and more modern color like red or green. Regardless, you shouldn’t have a problem finding cargo pants in your desired color.
Of course, cargo pants are also comfortable. They are typically made of high-quality materials, including cotton and cotton-polyester blends, that won’t irritate your skin or otherwise cause discomfort. Whether you intend to wear them for a half-hour or the entire day, you can rest assured knowing that cargo pants are comfortable.
How to Choose Cargo Pants
When shopping for cargo pants, look to see how many cargo pockets they feature. While many cargo pants only have two pockets, some feature over a dozen pockets. The 14-Pocket Cotton Cargo Pants sold exclusively here at MakeYourOwnJeans, for instance, have 14 pockets, each of which offers a separate compartment in which you can store and carry small items. With so many pockets, you won’t have to worry about lack of storage space.
You should choose a pair of cargo pants in an appropriate color. As mentioned above, cargo pants are manufactured and sold in most colors. Which color should you choose exactly? Like with most garments, there’s no single best color for cargo shorts. It all depends on your personal style and preferences. With that said, universal colors like black, brown, beige and green tend to offer the highest level of versatility. By choosing cargo pants in a universal color, you’ll be able to wear them with more garments and accessories.
If you’re worried that your cargo pants will shrink or fade shortly after purchasing them, you may want to choose a pre-washed style. Pre-washed cargo shorts are washed during production. They are usually made of cotton that, during its production, is submerged in water for a short period of time. As a result, pre-washed cargo shorts are less likely to shrink and less likely to fade than their raw, unwashed counterparts.
Tips on Wearing Cargo Pants
It’s recommended that you wear cargo pants with the right footwear. Boots are an all-around great choice of footwear for cargo pants. Cargo pants usually have a semi-relaxed fit that doesn’t constrict your body. Therefore, the bottom of the pant legs are somewhat wide, allowing them to fit over the top of your boots.
Depending on the occasion for which you wear them, you may want to accessorize your cargo pants with a belt. A belt will help secure your shirt in place while also ensuring your cargo pants don’t slide down. And as a bonus, a belt will add new colors to your outfit that may complement other garments and accessories in your outfit.
What About Cargo Shorts?
Keep in mind that there also shorts available that feature one or more cargo pockets. Cargo shorts are designed with the same larger side pockets as cargo pants. The difference, of course, is that cargo shorts only extend partially down your legs, whereas cargo pants extend all the way down your legs and to your feet.
Cargo shorts are often preferred during the summer. When the summer weather arrives, you may discover that full-length pants, including cargo pants, are simply too hot to wear. With cargo shorts, however, you can take advantage of their multiple cargo pockets while staying cool and comfortable. Cargo pants often extend to about the knees, so they are a better choice for the summer months.
