Cargo Pants: why we love them...
Cargo Pants: why we love them...
Shoppers obsess over the way cargo pants hang on a shapely pair of
legs. They hug the contours of calves and thighs just so, providing an
elegant yet practical fit with their classic outline and stylish design.
Endowed with large belt loops and plenty of pocket real estate space,
this garment is a definitive example of crossover from military usage to
fashion trend.
Fashionable Pants Inspired by Military Values
Focusing on that classic, definitive appeal for a moment, this military
garb was originally designed in army green and khaki. They had a loose
fit that created deep folds in the tough material, with the folds and
wrinkles stirring evocative images of baggy pants from the 1940\'s and
1950\'s. The main difference, most outstanding feature of the pants, is
the large and spacious cargo pockets, the sewn on patches of material
designed for military grade containment of the bits and pieces found in
transports carrying irregularly sized cargo. Army personnel went
further, using the strengthened pockets of the pants to hold ammunition
and other armaments.
The Birth of the
Cargo Pant Trend
The trendy pants claimed their place in fashion culture when shoppers
became aware of their functional appeal, an indefinable allure that
mixed casual style with toughness and practicality to create the perfect
pair of pants for a laid back weekend full of activity. Snatched from
the windows of army surplus stores and working men\'s uniform depot\'s,
cargo outfits of the early 90\'s quickly appeared on display at nightclub
venues as the latest fashion sensation. The color remained in muted
tones of green, brown, and olive at first, but it\'s impossible to
restrain the dynamic force that is style. The pants found their way on
to the work tables of designers and seamstresses, artistes of fabric who
promptly set about replacing the tough military grade material with
softer fabrics. Early war design was meeting fashion of the 1990\'s, and
the resulting explosion of fashion created
cargo pants fit for the
runways of Milan and Paris.
Pockets Built for Maximum Storage
Let\'s return to the pockets of these trend defining pants and fill in
some more detail of what makes them so special. First of all, the
pockets came in all shapes, often with pleating to increase their
storage capacity. The entry to the pocket was from the top or side, the
gap outfitted with a snap mechanism to quickly shut the opening, but
this seal was often replaced by a strip of Velcro. They came fitted with
sturdy zips or with no closing mechanism at all, and were often
spacious enough to comfortably hold the fist of the most muscular man.
Contrary to popular opinion, these characteristic pockets don\'t only
appear at the thigh; they\'re also found just above the knee, even as far
down as the calf. Those are cargo pants made for carrying just about
anything imaginable, but they may occupy serious amounts of time and
effort if a person forgets which pocket holds their wallet. Imagine all
those snaps and sharp sounds of Velcro ripping.
Contemporary cargo pant styles integrate many of today\'s styles. They\'re
hybrids and masters of disguise, integrating the best trends,
discarding style mistakes. Cargo pants now defy traditional concepts by
mixing with more feminine styles to give birth to explosions of color,
to pockets that still clearly define the concept as cargo pants, but
ones never envisioned by any military force.
Designed Initially for Men
Men always jump at the chance to shrug into this military inspired
garment, perhaps preferring some of the toughness and durability that
exemplifies classic cargo pants. After a long week confined by suits and
ties, it\'s a joy to be able to shift perspective and wear something
designed with utilitarian purpose in mind. Ideal for fishing or outdoor
play, the typical outfit based on cargo pants is a mixture of casual and
functional, a pleasing balance of fashion, functionality, and style
that is likely to endure in some form or other for generations to come.
Also for Ladies
Ladies swap out the rustic coloring and wide fit for a design far more
centered in style, eschewing utility in favor of a skinny fit that
accentuates the curve of the leg. Chic and eye-catching, they\'re still
readily identifiable as cargo pants, fitted with large loops for belts
and patches for pockets, but the baggy shape is gone, considered
unflattering.
Tying The Fabric of Our Final Thoughts
Although originally born of necessity, created by British military
personnel in the late 1930\'s, cargo pants have gone on to become a
surprise hit among the urban cliques and the hip, knowledgeable fashion
conscious leaders of style, setting a market vogue for all age groups
and all designers. Functional and utilitarian design is still present
but muted, with real pockets replaced by decorative accents, and
variations appearing as shorts and capris. Let\'s just end by saying that
cropped or fully realized in their original form, cargo pants are
destined to become fashion icons, illustrious articles of clothing
recognized across the globe.
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