Cargo pants

Pair of cargo pants

Cargo pants or cargo trousers, also sometimes called combat pants or combat trousers after their original purpose as military workwear, are loosely cut pants originally designed for rough work environments and outdoor activities, distinguished by numerous large utility pockets for carrying tools.

Cargo shorts are a shorts version of the cargo pants, with the legs usually extending down to near-knee lengths.

Both cargo pants and shorts have since become popular as urban casual wear, since they are loose-fitting and quite convenient for carrying extra items during everyday foot trips or while cycling.

Description

A cargo pocket is a form of a patch pocket, often with accordion folds for increased capacity closed with a flap secured by snap, button, magnet, or Velcro common on battledress and hunting clothing. In some designs, cargo pockets may be hidden within the legs.

Khaki-colored cargo shorts in an office setting

Cargo pants are made of hard wearing fabric and ruggedly stitched. Increasingly they are made of quick-drying synthetic or cotton-synthetic blends, and often feature oversized belt loops to accommodate wide webbing belts.

The garments are characteristically designed to allow bending at the knee and hip, and are sewn with felled seams for strength and durability.

History

Battle dress was first worn by members of the British Armed Forces in 1938, and were introduced to the United States in the mid-1940s during World War II. The large pockets characteristic of cargo pants were originally designed for British forces to hold field dressings, maps, and other items. The concept was copied in the U.S. Paratrooper uniform to allow more room to hold K rations and extra ammunition. Cargo pants were a popular fashion trend in the early 2000s. They have enjoyed renewed popularity in the 2020s as part of the 'Y2K' fashion trend, where 2000s fashion trends have been brought back into fashion.

Today, and at least since the early 1960s, cargo pants are typical military pants, both casual and military pants. They are always often paired with booties and usually with a campaign jacket, or with shirt sleeves (they can also be worn with a t-shirt in case of extreme heat).

The model considered the classic or reference model is the 1963 American Tropical Trousers (Tropical Combat Pants 1963) with three successive versions (1963, 1964 and 1966), among which the last and final one stands out. Its design was copied in the BDU forestry uniforms (1981), a new temporary uniform that replaced the uniform in 1951; and that is why today this style of pants is often referred to as BDU pants.

Civil use as a fashion item

Cargo pants of original military models or commercial imitations are quite popular in civilian fashion for aesthetic reasons and for comfort purposes. They are used everywhere, in hunting and sports in general, but also as casual leisure wear, combining with any footwear. Civilian models come in a wide range of colors, although military tones such as khaki, olive green, and camouflage are usually more acceptable. They also come in the form of short pants, such as bermuda shorts, with large side and back pockets; and there are even long models with a detachable shin that can thus be turned into shorts.

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 with boots, as well as with sneakers and a sweatshirt.

Civilian models mimic most of the details of the military originals for mostly aesthetic reasons, although the practicality of the pockets is much appreciated.

Variations

Young man wearing cargo shorts, Vietnam, 2010

Cargo shorts

Cargo shorts are cargo pants shortened at the knee. Some cargo pants are made with removable lower legs allowing conversion into shorts.

In 1980, cargo shorts were marketed as ideal for the sportsman or fisherman, with the pocket flaps ensuring that pocket contents were secure and unlikely to fall out. By the mid-to-late 1990s, cargo shorts found popularity among mainstream men's fashion. In 2012, Tim Gunn observed that while the pockets were undeniably useful for carrying things for work or other everyday tools, cargo shorts were more practical than elegant.

EMT pants

EMT pants are cargo pants with six-way cargo/scissor pockets on one or both legs, each with a hidden zippered pocket on top of cargo pocket, a bellowed flap pocket with increased carrying capacity, besom pockets on calves for glove storage, and three slots for scissors (two fitted with snap closures).

See also

• Carpenter jeans
• Tactical pants