The cargo pant trend is back and I am here for it. I know we instantly look at these pants with all their pockets and just cringe at how we used to live in them in middle school. They were usually super low rise and very baggy. While you may still be able to find that same style we’re definitely going to style them a bit differently for 2023.
I also think people look at a cargo pant and think “I have no idea how to style that”. Deep breaths. Treat this type of pant like any utility pant you may own. I’ve been styling this type of pant for years (it’s a favorite alternative to denim for me) and a lot of the styling tricks work with cargo pants too.
The big takeaway should be to balance the sort of toughness vibe a cargo pant can give off, with more feminine or super trendy fun pieces. Let’s dive into what to wear with cargo pants and a few great outfit ideas to inspire you.
What To Wear With Cargo Pants
Reach For A Bodysuit
Since cargo pants tend to be a bit on the looser side, it’s best to pair them with more fitted pieces on top. A bodysuit is a great way to achieve this look. This is especially key if you’re wearing wide leg cargo pants.
Can you Wear Cropped Jackets
My favorite styling trick lately when it comes to looser pants. Add a cropped jacket. A longer oversized jacket can sometimes feel too sloppy with looser bottoms. Instead, having a jacket hit at your waist or where your pants may hit your waist, will create a more harmonious outfit.
Add A Statement Belt
I think a great way to make a pair of cargo pants feel trendy and unique is to add a bit of a statement belt. This can add something more trendy or edgy or feminine to your look.
Shop Cargo Pants
What Shoes To Wear With Cargo Pants
I think this is one of the essential pieces to styling cargo pants.
- Sneakers
- Converse
- High heels
- Sandals
- Espadrilles
- Flats with cool details
- Combat boots
- Sock booties
Styling Cargo Pants Based on Color
How To Style Green Cargo Pants
To dress down green cargo pants, I like to simply pair with all the neutrals. A basic beige tee and white sneakers. I add a bit of interest to the outfit by throwing a sweater over the shoulders to balance out the more tough feel of the cargo pants. A jute bag completes the look.
For the second look, a more dressed up cargo pant outfit is perfect for date night. I love this super feminine lace blouse to add a softness to the whole look. Strappy brown kitten heel sandals are great too. I like to cuff the hem of the cargo pants sometimes to show off the shoe or ankle a bit.
PS this is my favorite pair of cargo pants. They’re from Abercrombie and I took my larger size. I also got them in cream (in the long length) to wear with heels.
How To Style Black Cargo Pants
I love how both of these outfits really show you the range that cargo pants can be. While I personally will likely wear mine to feel more feminine, you can still rock them with some edge and grunge. Which I do love! You can also find black cargo pants in more fabrics I feel like that lend themselves to being more dressed up. From silky fabrics and tapered legs that will work well with heels for a dressed up look in cargos.
The chunky lug sole combat boot with a cool leather blazer feels very cool and edgy. I think with the right styling, hair, makeup, and a pretty bag, this feels really balanced. And is a great outfit for fall and winter with cargo pants.
The more dressed up version with a colorful heel and crew neck sweater is a nice way to balance the cargo pants. I love the looser straight leg fit of these. And the exaggerated belt is super cool. This is the perfect way to style black cargos that feels put together without being overly trendy.
How To Style Brown Cargo Pants
Grece is one of my favorite street style bloggers and of course, she is on the cargo pant trend. These brown cargo pants are great for fall winter when styled with a chunky sweater. Add a chunky boot to complete the look.
How To Style Camo Cargo Pants
This is a tricky one. Camo pants can very easily feel a little 2010 so it is key that you really play it up here for 2023. These oversized camo cargo pants are a great base. Add a strappy heel for the shoe and blush pinks to soften the whole vibe. The feminine colors and fashionable layers of this outfit are really what make the camo cargo pants feel totally different and a lot less like you’re enlisting in the army. While this may be an outfit you’d see for fashion week street styling, I kind of am in love with it!
How To Style Khaki Cargo Pants
While I know we usually think of a soft green as khaki, khaki can also be a light tan. OR a cream. So here’s how to style cream or off-white cargo pants. You can go monochromatic and play on all the different shades of neutrals here as in look one.
In look two, I added a lilac fitted tank and a cropped slightly oversized denim jacket. Paired with a strappy heel this feels feminine and trendy. I’d also do this with a lightweight sweater over the shoulders instead of the denim jacket. These cream cargo pants are the Abercrombie & Fitch ones. They come in a few colors. I’m wearing the khaki green above as well.
And look three is the super Gen Z look. Pair with a crop top tee and Nike dunks for the ultimate Gen Z outfit in cargo pants. If a crop top isn’t your thing, just do a tee but make sure you tuck it in to keep this look from feeling sloppy.
