Jeans are available in dozens of styles. While you might be familiar with traditional styles like skinny, straight leg and boot cut, you might be unfamiliar with cargo. Cargo is an alternative style in which jeans are available. Cargo jeans aren’t as common as other traditional styles. Nonetheless, there are still reasons to wear them. What are cargo jeans exactly, and why should you wear them? For a better understanding of this alternative style, keep reading.
The Basics of Cargo Jeans
Cargo jeans are denim trousers that feature cargo pockets. All jeans, as well as most other trousers, have pockets. You can typically find two pockets on the front of a pair of jeans, and another two pockets on the back. Some jeans even have two smaller pockets inside of the front pockets. Known as watch pockets, they were originally designed to store pocket watches. Cargo jeans still have these same front and back pockets; they just have additional pockets farther down the legs, which are the cargo pockets.
In addition to cargo pockets, most cargo jeans feature a loose-fitted construction. They aren’t loose around the waistline. Rather, cargo jeans are loose in the legs. This loose-fitted construction makes them comfortable to wear, especially when performing physical activities.
History of Cargo Jeans
Cargo jeans have been around for decades. Before they were invented, other types of cargo trousers were available. Cargo trousers are simply pants that have cargo pockets. It’s believed that the British Armed Forced pioneered some of the world’s first cargo trousers in 1938. With their extra pockets, soldiers of the British Armed Forced found them useful. The United States Armed Forced later introduced cargo trousers into their uniforms during the 1940s.
After being used in the military, cargo trousers eventually made their way into the world of civilian fashion. It wasn’t long before jeans were designed with cargo pockets. Today, these same cargo jeans remain a popular choice among both men and women.
Cargo vs Carpenter Jeans: What’s the Jeans
It’s a common assumption that cargo jeans are the same as carpenter jeans. After all, they both feature additional pockets, and they both have a loose-fitted construction. Nonetheless, cargo jeans and carpenter jeans aren’t the same.
The main difference between cargo jeans and carpenter jeans is that the latter has loops of fabric added to the legs, whereas the former does not. When inspecting a pair of carpenter jeans, you’ll notice one or more loops of denim fabric on the legs. Known as carpenter loops, they are designed to hold tools.
Professional and recreational carpenters often use hammers. While some of them carry hammers on a toolbelt, others use carpenter loops for this purpose. You can carry a hammer while wearing carpenter jeans by placing it through a carpenter loop. Only carpenter jeans have these carpenter loops. Cargo jeans offer a more traditional style that’s devoid of carpenter loops.
Why Cargo Jeans Are Ideal for Physical Activities
If you’re looking for a new pair of trousers to wear when performing physical activities, you may want to choose cargo jeans. They will provide you with a high level of mobility and comfort — more so than other types of trousers.
As previously mentioned, cargo jeans feature cargo pockets. These additional pockets aren’t the same as the standard front and back pockets. Rather, cargo pockets are deeper than standard pockets, and you can usually find them about halfway down the pant legs. Whether you’re working outside or exercising, you may want to wear cargo jeans so that you can store items inside of these cargo pockets.
There’s no denying the fact that cargo jeans are comfortable. They feature a loose-fitted construction that makes them exceptionally comfortable to wear, even when performing physical activities. They won’t constrict your lower body. With their loose-fitted construction, cargo jeans will give you the freedom to comfortably bend and move your body.
Some of the benefits of wearing cargo jeans include the following:
- Ability to store items inside of the cargo pockets
- Soft and comfortable construction
- Easy to wear when performing physical activities
- Available in dozens of colors
- Offers a traditional style that matches most other garments
What to Look for in a Pair of Cargo Jeans
There are several features you should look for when choosing a pair of cargo jeans. You should choose cargo jeans with strong fasteners, for instance. Fasteners are buttons and rivets. While some cargo jeans have plastic fasteners, others have metal fasteners. Metal fasteners are stronger than plastic fasteners, making them ideal for cargo jeans.
You may want to choose cargo jeans made of washed denim. All cargo jeans are made of denim. There are two different types of denim from which they are made, however: dry and washed. Dry denim isn’t washed during production, whereas washed denim is washed. With washed denim, your cargo jeans will be softer and better protected against fading.
Don’t forget to choose a pair of cargo jeans in the right color. Like other jeans, cargo jeans are available in dozens of colors. Many people prefer blue cargo jeans. You can find cargo jeans in light blue and dark blue, both of which are great choices. With that said, there are other colors besides blue in which cargo jeans are available. Maybe you prefer black, or perhaps you prefer red. Regardless, you can find cargo jeans in just about any color.
Something else to look for in a pair of cargo jeans is pocket lining. Pocket lining is exactly what it sounds like: it’s fabric that’s lined into the pockets. You won’t be able to see the pocket lining. Rather, it’s designed to create softer and more comfortable pockets. If you’re going to buy a pair of cargo jeans, you may want to choose a pair with pocket lining. These are just a few things to look for in a pair of cargo jeans.
