If you feel like everyone is wearing cargo pants right now, it's not an illusion. The cargo trend is one of the deepest and most enduring of Fall-Winter 2023, and it goes far beyond being just a passing fad. At Ultimate StreetStore in Digne-les-Bains, we anticipated this strong comeback and offer a selection of cargo pants for men and women that meets all visions of this trend. Here's everything you need to know to understand and embrace cargo style.
The History of Cargo Pants: From Battlefields to Skateparks
Cargo pants originated in a context far removed from fashion. In the 1930s-40s, British and American armies developed military pants with large extra side pockets on the thighs — the famous "cargo pockets" — designed to store equipment, ammunition, maps, and provisions. Functionality was the absolute priority.
After World War II, these pants entered the civilian sphere. Military surplus clothing, available at low prices in specialized stores, was adopted by alternative cultures that valued utility and functionality. The counterculture of the 60s-70s, then the punk and skate cultures of the 80s-90s, incorporated cargo pants as a key piece of their wardrobe.
In the 1990s, cargo became mainstream. Worn by alternative rock bands, hip-hop stars, and professional skateboarders, the multi-pocket pants were everywhere. Then, in the 2000s and 2010s, they went out of style — slim and skinny fits took over. But like all classics, they always come back. And their return in 2023 is stronger than ever.
Why Are Cargo Pants Making a Comeback in 2023?
The return of cargo pants in 2023 is no coincidence. It responds to several underlying trends that define contemporary streetwear:
The Rehabilitation of Loose Fits
After a decade of slim and skinny dominance, streetwear has embraced loose, oversized, and relaxed fits. This evolution responds to a desire for comfort and freedom of movement, but also to an aesthetic reaction against the overly tight silhouettes that dominated 2010s fashion.
Gorpcore and Techwear Aesthetics
Gorpcore — this trend that mixes outdoor elements with urban streetwear — has propelled technical clothing into fashion items. Cargo pants, with their functional pockets and durable materials, naturally fit into this aesthetic.
90s-2000s Nostalgia
Generation Y and Z, who dominate current fashion, grew up with cargo pants. Their return is also a nostalgic movement, a reference to a time when fashion was less anxious and more directly linked to popular cultures.
How to Choose Your Cargo Pants?
Not all cargo pants are created equal. Here are the essential criteria for making the right choice:
The Cut
Cargo pants come in several cuts, each with a different look:
- Baggy: the loosest cut, with a lot of volume, ideal for a full-scale streetwear look. Wear them rolled up over chunky sneakers for maximum effect.
- Relaxed: more moderate in volume, functional without being oversized. The versatile choice for those who want to follow the trend without going all-in.
- Straight: a straight cut that brings cargo functionality with a cleaner look.
The Materials
Cotton and cotton-polyester blends are the basic materials. For fall-winter, opt for thicker fabrics like twill or canvas, which offer better thermoregulation.
The Colors
Classic cargo comes in utilitarian colors — khaki, beige, black, olive, gray. These are the colors that work best and combine with the most outfits. Colored versions (blue, burgundy, terracotta) exist and can add an extra touch, but require more thought in the combination.
The Best Cargo Combinations for Fall-Winter 2023
Cargo pants are surprisingly flexible in outfits. Here are some combinations that work particularly well:
- Cargo + oversized hoodie + chunky sneakers: the ultimate streetwear combination, where all pieces contribute to a loose and cohesive silhouette.
- Cargo + graphic t-shirt + bomber or coach jacket: a perfect balance between the volume of the bottom and the structure of the top.
- Cargo + thick crew neck sweater: for a more thoughtful autumnal look, where the cargo provides the utilitarian texture that the sweater complements.
- Cargo + light down jacket: perfect for facing the cool temperatures of the Provencal winter with style.
Our Cargo Selection at Ultimate StreetStore
At Ultimate, our cargo selection covers the needs of men and women with adapted cuts and materials. We offer models from brands we know well and whose quality we endorse, at prices that allow everyone to access the trend without breaking the bank.
The cargo selected by Ultimate is always cargo that will last several seasons — because we believe that sustainable fashion starts with buying quality pieces that transcend trends.
Come discover our selection in store in Digne-les-Bains or on ultimate-streetstore.fr.