I think we can all agree with this:
Looking good shouldn’t be reserved for dressy events and special occasions.Why not addstyle and sex appealtoyour weekend look as well?
For that, cargo pants for men are perfect!
They’re not only comfortable but also versatile and convenient.So if you have a question sounding something like:
‘Are cargo pants in style?’
‘Are cargo pants business casual?’
‘How to style cargo pants for men?’
You’re in luck.
Because inthis tutorial, you’ll learn everythingyou need to know about cargo pants, including five outfits you can wear right now and 11 style mistakes you must know about.
Free Bonus: click here to access the free PDF that shows you the 5 Cargo Pants Outfits and 11 Style Mistakes neatly organised into one printer-friendly list.
But first:
Cargo pants for men are still in style, but like any other outfit or piece of apparel, wearing themat theright time is crucial.
Take thesetwo examples:
Flip-flops:
They look greatatthe beach or poolbut shouldn’t be worn anywhere else.
Black socks:
They’re great with dark trousers but shouldn’t be worn with shorts, including men’s cargo shorts.
You see where I’m going with this?
When you wear something, the key to looking good is timing …
… and cargo pants are no exception.
Cargo pants for menare great for leisure activities and weekends.Butno matter how much the fashion industry wants them to be, cargo pants for men are neither dressy nor appropriate for everyday or business occasions.
Obviously, if you’re walking your dog around the block or having a BBQin the park, cargo pants would be just as stylishas anything else.
However, if you’re heading down to the pub to watch a game or going into the office on a casual Friday, better trouser alternatives would be:
- Jeans
- Chinos
- Dress pants
So, just as you would drop the dress socks when wearing shorts and wear flip-flops only at the beach, cargo pants for men are best reserved forweekends or when participating in leisure activities.
Nowthat we’ve got that straight, it’s time to get to the juicy stuff.Here are five super-easy and stylish ways you can wear cargo pants for men:
Outfit #1: Summer Casual
Khaki coloured cargos are perfect for daytime activities, whileyourpolo and sneakers make you look handsome and laid-back.
Whether you visit the lake with your GF, hang out with friends, or grabsome takeaway, this outfit won’t let you down.
Outfit #2: BBQ in the Park
Pair your khaki coloured cargos with a V-neck T-shirt, a cardigan, and a pair of sneakers for an outfit that is great for the BBQ’s and the beers that follow.
To those around you, these clothes basically say, ‘I’m having the day off, and I’m going to get the most out of it!’
Outfit #3: Walking theDog
When your dog is scratching at the door, you need something that’s quick and easy to put on and that also looks good.
Darkercargos like black cargo pants for men are perfect for day and night strolls, while a V-neck T-shirt and leather jacket are sexy andlook great.
Combine these items with a pair of your favourite sneakers, and no girl can resist walking over to say hello to your dog (and you!).
Outfit #4: DIY Outfit
Do-it-yourself projects can be a mess and are usually quite exhausting.
That’s why dark cargos are perfect for this.
Stains won’t show as easily on the dark fabric, and the cargo pants themselves are super-comfortable work trousers.
Top them off with a crewneck T-shirt, a hoodie (which is easy to take off if you get hot), and finally some leather boots, which can tackle anyweather.
Outfit #5: Taking a Hike
This is the home territory for cargo pants: nature.
Forhikes and outdoor activities, practical clothes are key.
Like these pics:
- A pair of dark cargos — because they’re the perfect, understated hiking trousers.
- A wool sweater — which will keep you warm even when wet.
- Ankle boots — so you can cross streams without worrying about getting wet.
- A watertight jacket — in case there should be any sudden downpours.
Mistake #1: WearingCargos With These Clothes
Cargo pants were originally worn as combat trousers, and they’re stillsuper-casual.
That’s why you should never wear them with collared shirts, blazers, or suit jackets, orany type of dress shoes, such as Oxfordsor bluchers.
The easy fix:
Wear these casual pants with sweaters and polo shirts; denim, leather, or outdoor jackets; and sneakers or boots only.
Mistake #2: Choosing This Pattern
So we know that cargosare casual, but we need to draw a line between hunting gear and leisure attire.Even thoughcamouflage pants (camo pants) are in fashion from time to time, you shouldnever wear this pattern.
Naturally, hunters wear it when hunting, but sporting camo cargo pants for men around your neighbourhoodwill just make you look like a paramilitary nutter …
… not exactly the sexy, casual look we are aiming for.
The easy fix:
Instead of camouflage, wear solid neutral colours such as navy blue, khaki, charcoal, and olive green.
Mistake #3: Doing This With Your Cargo Pockets
The roomy pockets were originally there to let military personnel carry as much equipment as they could handle.
The ironic thing with cargo pants today …
… is that from a style point of view, the cargopockets should never be used, since abulging side pocketwill ruin your silhouette (read: make you look stupid).
The easy fix:
Leave all your manly gadgets at home—or at leastdon’t stuff theminto your cargo pockets—so your empty side pockets can lie flat.
Mistake #4: Having Lots of Loose Straps
This look isn’t as common as it was during the raving ’90s and at the start of the millennium; however, loose straps are still a detail on some cargo pants.
If you’re a carpenter—wearing your pants at work—having loops for your tools makes perfect sense …
… but for the casual cargo pants we’re talking about here, straps and loops are just too much.
‘A designer knows he has achieved perfection not when there is nothing left to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.’—Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
I’m not saying cargos are perfect, but they cancertainly do without the loose straps and loops.
The easy fix:
Buy cargo pants that are free of straps.
Mistake #5: Cargo Pockets Missing This Detail
One thing that really completes cargo pockets …
… ispocket flaps.
They makethe pockets look good, are functional, and give the pants a proper casual vibe.
Today, there are lots ofpants on the market whose designershave replaced this nice original detail with zips or no closures at all.
Manufacturers do this in an effort to make the pants stand out and look dressier, sportier, or more modern.
The easy fix:
Make sure your cargo pants have cargo pocket flaps that close with press studs or ordinary buttons (not Velcro).
Mistake #6:Going Retro With Your Cargo Pockets
In an effort to get a cut of the market, designers constantly try to find ways for theirproducts to stand out.
Unfortunately, cargo pockets haven’t been spared from or benefited from this.
Allthough cargo pockets on the front of the thighs are true to the original lookfrom 1938…
… this design isn’t as good-looking or practical as side mounted pockets.
Theeasy fix:
Only buy cargo pants with cargo pockets on the side of the thighs.
Mistake #7: Cargo Pants in TheseMaterials
Designers have certainly overdone it with this idea:
Cargo jeans—or in other words, cargo pants in denim.
What happened here? Who came up with this nonsense?I can only wonder what they are going to create next … cargosweatpants?
OMG …
Okay, so there are a lot ofcargo pants out there in dodgy materials that you shouldn’t buy, andhere’s how to get it right.
Theeasy fix:
Cargo pants should either be made out of twill fabric—which is the same texture askhakis and chinos,but oftentimes a bit rougher for cargos—or …
… a rip-stop fabric(popular for hiking pants), which is more durablethan twill.
Mistake #8: Too Small Belt Loops
What’s the use of cargo pants if you can’t wear your wide canvasor leather belts to hold them up?
Cargos should have solid, oversized belt loops that can accommodate any type of belt, especially your wide, rough belts.
I elaborated on why you should wear wider belts with casual pants in my belts for men tutorial.
Basically, besides looking more casual, thesebelts are often cheaper and tougher than narrower belts.
So oversized belt loops on yourcargo pants will keep you from wearing out your expensive dressy belts while walking your dog or taking a hike.
Theeasy fix:
Make sure you can fit a wide belt (1-1/2″ or 3.9 cm) in the belt loops.
Mistake #9: Wrong Size Cargo Pockets
Despite what you may have heard, size—of cargo pockets, that is—does matter.
No, seriously, pockets that are too big will make any cargo pants for men look way too sporty and juvenile …
… while too-small pockets can make cargos look overly dressy and posh.
Remember, we’re not going for sporty or sophisticated with these pants; we’re going for casualand laid-back.
Theeasy fix:
Choose cargo pants with modestly sized pocketsthat don’t have an expansion fold on the bottom edge.
These pockets will lie closer to your thighand look more low-key.
Mistake #10: Skinny Cargo Pants for Men
Skinny cargo pants really defeat the whole purpose of wearing casual and comfortable pants.
I mean, isn’t the purpose ofthesewide leg trousersto be comfortable and loose-fitting?
For those who can pull it off, skinny-cut trousers are great—just not for cargo pants.
Theeasy fix:
If smart is what you’re looking for, andyou’ve got the physique of a marathon runner, go for skinny chinos, khakis, or jeans—not cargo pants.Otherwise, the best thing you can do is to choose ordinary, loose-fitting cargos.
Mistake #11: Too Many Cargo Pockets
It’s easy to understand the designers’ thinking on this:
‘If two cargo pockets are cool, 14 cargo pockets are totally rad!’
But rest assured, two cargo pockets are more than enough.
Theeasy fix:
Don’t take your chance on‘hip’ and ‘cool’ cargo pant designs.
Instead, choose classic styles with two well-proportioned side pockets.
You have just seen5 awesome cargo pants outfits …
… and 11 common style mistakes you need to avoid.Now it is time for you to start looking good in cargo pants.
The first step?
Click the image below and enter your email to get yourFREE cargo pants PDF.The printer friendly PDFincludesall the 5 cargo pants outfits … and the 11 cargo pants for men style mistakes neatlyorganised.
Click on the buttonbelow and download the PDF now:
