What To Wear With Cargo Pants: More Versatile Than You Think

You may think you can only wear cargo pants with utility shirts or hoodies. Actually, there’s so much more you can do with them! We’re going to show you how to style cargo pants for men.

I came of age during the early 2000s fashion. The combat trouser, as many officially know it, was ubiquitous on MTV. Every boyband, rapper, and rocker wore this utilitarian garment. Female celebs often paired them with crop tops. Christina Aguilera’s orange drawstring cargos in the Genie video might be a core memory for my generation.

When it comes to what to wear with cargo pants today, 2000s fashion isn’t your only source of inspiration. These army pants are back in a big way. Is this because of the return of oversized clothes styles and major fashion houses like YSL bringing elevated cargos onto runways? Perhaps. 

Regardless, today, cargo pants come in a range of looks, fits, and sizes. You don’t have to be into baggy clothes or fashion with a capital F to wear them. And who doesn’t like practical style?

What Are Cargo Pants?

Let’s start with a bit of 101. You need to know the context if you’re putting together a men’s cargo pants outfit. Exactly what are cargo pants? Basically, any durably built trouser with large pockets on the leg qualifies as cargo pants. 

You might be thinking, so are joggers or jeans with large pockets considered cargos? The answer is yes. Hybrid garments exist. If you can “store cargo” in them, they count. These practical trousers are traditionally loose-fitting and made with canvas, twill, or cotton. Again, there’s a wider variety these days.

Cargo pants are markedly casual. They’re staples in workwear and military style, which is why they’re menswear classics (like trench coats and field watches). And like trench coats and field watches, cargos became highly popular during World War II. They were tactical, hard-wearing, and easy to move around in.

The US military mass-produced cargo pants. Then, in an example of sharing best practices with allies, they sent a large inventory to their French. You know France, right? The fashion capital of the world? 

Men’s Cargo Pants Outfits: How To Style Them

Putting together a men’s outfit with cargo pants is a matter of considering the fit, the details, and the color (or pattern or graphic). All things considered, a men’s outfit with green cargo pants might have a military vibe to it. Meanwhile, a brown cargo pants outfit male version could also wear like chinos, depending on the fit. (It’s a bit different for ladies, who aren’t today’s focus)

Here are a few rules of thumb to consider when choosing a pair of pants and where and when to wear them:

• While cargo pants are inherently relaxed, slimmer fits are more formal.
• The more pockets there are, the more tactical and casual the pants are. Remember, more details mean less dressy.
• If you want a more traditional combat trouser look, consider shades of green, khaki, gray, and brown. Again, this is guy-specific. A khaki cargo pants outfit men’s combo might look more workwear adjacent. For ladies, it depends on how you style it.
• If you want a more modern or fun take to distance the look from workwear, go for brighter colors or patterns. (Camouflage notwithstanding, of course.) A men’s blue cargo pants outfit is a good example, especially if you choose marine or sky blue over navy.
• Of course, it’s all about what you wear your cargos with. Styling is key.

A Quick Hypothetical

It’s surprising how easy these points are to navigate. Here’s a quick example:

First, where are you wearing your cargo pants? Let’s say a house party with no dress code. Casual is okay, but to be respectful to your guests, maybe you go for a slightly slimmer fit.

Second, do you want to go for a military look or not? Perhaps it’s spring, and you choose not to because you want to wear something brighter.

Finally, to match the casual but clean-lined look, pair it with a button-down or henley and some low-profile white sneakers. That wasn’t so complicated, was it?

What To Wear With Black Cargo Pants Men?

Black cargo pants are one of the most versatile options for personal style. While no cargo pants can ever be formal, a black pair blends better into a high-low outfit. Also, black always adds boldness to help another piece stand out if you want to sport some statement colors. Meanwhile, street style has always incorporated workwear, making black cargo pants a staple for cool-meets-chic.

Like the humble jogger, cargo pants have experienced quite the glow-up. They blend with smart casual pieces well if you go for a black, minimally-pocketed cargo in a slimmer fit. You can wear this cargo style with polos, button-downs, turtlenecks, and even a sport coat or unlined blazer. Most casual parties and bars wouldn’t turn you away in such a combo. 

My only advice is to avoid cinched hems if you’re going to wear them with a leather boot or dress shoes. The cinched hems are stylish, but they make the pants look closer to a jogger. 

For a more traditionally casual approach, there’s really nothing you can’t wear black cargos with. For example, combat pants are a great way to add structure if you like baggy clothes. Pair a clean-lined, relaxed-fit, structured-shouldered t-shirt with a relaxed-fit cargo. Finish it off with some workboots and your favorite hat and watch. It’s cool, urban, but not sloppy.

Finally, there’s nothing like cargo pants to help other colors pop. Perhaps you have a brightly patterned shirt or piece of outerwear. Imagine black corduroy cargo pants with a mustard-hued pullover with elbow patches. By considering texture and contrast, you can combine seemingly unlike style approaches seamlessly. In this case, cargo pants utilize their classic army style to anchor a fall outfit.

What To Wear With Green Cargo Pants Men?

Neons aside, any shade of green cargo pants really brings it back to its army roots. An olive green cargo pants outfit men’s version, will register as more tactical than if the fairer sex styled it. I think about any time a stylish gent wears them with loafers and a button-down. He still looks like an off-duty soldier. Compare this to, say, every time Carrie Bradshaw wore cargos with high heels.

As such, men can always go for a timeless soldier-adjacent style, which is a menswear staple. You can style green combat trousers exactly like you’d style khaki, brown, and camo pants. Keep that in mind as we explore ways to put together a men’s green cargo pants outfit.

Consider relaxed-fit cargo pants in military green with a tan utility shirt. For a proper hat tip, finish it off with combat boots and a field watch. You can also go with dress boots. 

You might even consider an open utility shirt with a button-down underneath to bridge the gap between utilitarian and chic-casual. Another great way to do this is by pairing your green pants with a long-sleeve crew-neck shirt with a sporty, open vest. Vests have become a staple among suit types in Wall Street and beyond — Patagonia, anyone? Still, they’re incredibly sporty. This makes them a perfect companion to cargo pants if you’re going for a workwear-gone-classy route.

You can also wear bright green or mint green regular or slim-fit cargos, styled just like jeans. Ryan Reynolds looked fantastic in a pair of mint cargos Chucks, a leather jacket, and a flat cap.

Relatedly, you can always wear green cargos with a crewneck t-shirt and sneakers as a foundation for statement accessories. Consider a luxury watch or a meaningful necklace.

How To Style Baggy Cargo Pants for Men

How does one wear baggy cargo pants while still looking like a well-adjusted adult? First of all, wear what you love — don’t let people judge you. Second, it’s all about clean lines. It’s something I’ve always told men who are considering oversized clothes.

This means that even if they’re baggy, you want there to be no more than a single break by your shoes. Quick reminder: A break is the menswear phrase for how much creasing happens at the hems of the trousers by your feet. Typically, for jeans, it’s acceptable to have a full break. This means the fabric bunches together once at the ankle (to varying sizes, depending on your tastes). For consistency, the leg opening must be big enough to sit around your laces.

Apply this convention to baggy cargo pants.

Moreover, you want the waist to be slightly higher. It can sit right at your hips or even just below your belly button. As you can imagine, where the pant waist sits affects the size and pant break.

Between the single break and higher waist, the silhouette still aligns with you but is just further out from your body. Of course, you can wear your baggy pants however you want, but this is a more universal approach.

It should go without saying that you can only wear baggy cargo pants casually. Pair your pants with a flannel for an outdoorsy look. You can’t go wrong with a crewneck t-shirt and boots or jeans for a more straightforward everyday look.

Practical fashion means not restricting movement, and these contexts show intentionality in the bagginess. So consider pairing baggy cargos with workwear, outdoorsy, or traditional military pieces.

How To Style Brown Cargo Pants for Men

My favorite style of cargo pants is regular-slim with minimal pockets in shades of brown. There’s just so much you can do with them. They’re conducive to traditional army aesthetics, the urban woodsman or explorer look, and even English countryside style.

It’s because the color brown has an Americana style factor. It also comes in many shades, from autumn-friendly warm tones to spring-appropriate light and cool hues. It’s easy to incorporate this dynamic into a wide range of personal preferences. And yes, this even includes general smart casual. Imagine loafers, slim brown cargos, a button-down, and a chore coat or quilted vest. Depending on your office culture, that might even be acceptable on casual Fridays.

As usual, the baggier the pants are, the more casual they are. So, if you want a more swash-buckling look, go for a relaxed fit or baggy cuts. You might consider a Breton-striped shirt, leather boots, and a car coat. Or, as always, you can just go the workwear route and pair your relaxed-fit cargo pants with a waxed jacket.

If you have a folksier personal style, I bet you never thought you could ever wear combat trousers. Well, guess what? Brown cargos look fantastic with fringe, moccasins, and turquoise. Give it a try. It’s just a matter of finding the right fit.

I love a gentleman-adventurer look on the weekends. You know the vibe I’m talking about. It implies that you know how to do a wine pairing. And yet, you also fly your own helicopter to remote places to go treasure hunting.

For this approach, slim or regular-fit brown cargo pants pair naturally with a linen button-up, safari jacket, and luxury field watch.

Outfit Ideas for Cargo Pants

Now, let’s go over some outfit ideas for cargo pants. I already gave you some rules of thumb and some strategies.

However, by looking at these specific examples, I hope to show you how versatile cargo pants can actually be. Again, pay attention to the color and fit of each and how they contribute to the combination. 

Minimalist Style Cargo Pants

Remember when I said you can’t go wrong with pairing your cargo pants with a simple T-shirt? Here’s a great example of why (and how to pull it off). This gent applies the art of subtle neutrals. The shirt and pants are still a different shade but a similar color. This tempers any details, resulting in a clean, neat aesthetic. Of course, it helps that each leg features just one cargo pocket.

Casual Everyday Cargo Pants

I recommend leaning hard into the cargo’s army roots for a pair of everyday pants. From there, you can pair it with a T-shirt or a button-down. Or, do as this stylish guy does and wear both for some snazzy layers. It’s the perfect balance of rugged and classy; he can wear this outfit to brunch or while running errands.

Contemporary Military-Inspired Cargo Pants

Ironically, a good way to sport a contemporary military look is by looking at vintage-inspired pieces. This is because if you wore what actual soldiers wear today out in the world, you’d look like you were in costume. A green vintage army shirt looks like a modern-day button-down. You get an elegant but strong balance by topping it off with a multi-pocket jacket and minimal army pants. Conversely, he could’ve worn a coat with minimal pockets and pants with a lot of tactical detail.

Sophisticated Cargo Pants Looks

What is the key to wearing cargo pants in a sophisticated, almost dressy way? Keep in mind that many of the more old-money elements of fashion are rooted in utility, especially if you go far back enough. Blazers came from the Navy, while ropes on fishing boats inspired cable-knit. This gent combines very slim cargo pants with all of the above. By achieving a perfectly clean fit, he even almost lets the cargo pockets serve as statement features. 

What Doesn’t Work Well With Cargo Pants?

So, what doesn’t work well with cargo pants?

The easy answer? Anything too formal. Don’t wear them with anything you might wear on a night out at the opera. Suit jackets are tricky (again unless you’re intentionally doing a high-low look), but tuxedo pieces are a never. Relatedly, even the slimmest cargos look awkward with opera pumps.

Accessorizing Tips for Cargo Pants Outfits

Accessorizing outfits with cargo pants isn’t just easy but fun. 

My rule here? Express yourself and be yourself. You can wear watches, jewelry, and even most shoes with any pair of cargo pants. No one will bat an eye if you pair a solid gold Rolex with slim, cream-colored cargo pants.

You can also have fun with hats. Classy boater hats or youthful baseball caps both pair just nicely with cargos.

FAQs

Here are some common questions about cargos!

Are Cargo Pants in Style for Men? 

Yes, by the mid-2020s, cargo pants aren’t just on-trend but have become a menswear classic.

Which Shoes Pair Best With Cargo Pants? 

Boots look most natural. However, depending on how you style them, you can go for sneakers or even leather dress shoes.

Can Cargo Pants Be Smart-Casual?

To achieve a smart casual outfit with cargo pants, stick to minimal pants with a clean fit.

Conclusion: Utilitarian Style

Now you know what to wear with cargo pants! 

Here’s a quick reminder that you can use as an at-a-glance resource:

• Slimmer fits are less casual; more pockets are more casual.
• Army-inspired tones are more traditional.
• They can be classy but never truly formal.

So, if you haven’t already, give cargo pants a shot!

Do you wear cargo pants? How do you style them? Share your style tips in the comments below to inspire your Modest Man peers.