I Finally Tried Cargo Trousers—5 Outfits That Prove I've Been Missing Out

I'm not ashamed to admit it—when I first heard of the return of cargo pants, I was sceptical to say the least. Like most millennials who wore them the first time around, cargo or "utility" trousers conjur up images of ultra-wide, rustling trousers in camouflage print, covered in pockets and usually some superfluous straps—the kind of thing we confidently wore to the school disco with a sparkly halterneck top. But now, the cargo trouser has undergone a fashionable update. In 2023, there are fewer pockets, softer fabrics and a refined colour palette, and after seeing everyone from Emily Ratajkowski to Jennifer Lopez wearing them, I'm now convinced that there's actually a lot to love about cargo pants. 

Most often you'll find me in a pair of jeans or strong tailoring when I'm heading into the office, but cargo trousers are perfect for occasions that require dress-down comfort and business-casual. You may not believe it, but the styling possibilities of these baggy trousers are endless, making them a worthy investment piece. The loose-legged silhouette is currently taking over, and as we swap our skinnies for low-slung boyfriend jeans, the cargo is the comfier, more polished alternative that you can wear with everything from heels to trainers (and, dare I say it, even ankle boots).

The Frankie Shop first grabbed my attention with its seriously chic tailored take on cargo trousers that changed everything I thought I knew about utility styling. Suddenly, denim jackets and baby tees were no longer the only option, and any trousers that work with my full roster of blazers gets my seal of approval. As anyone in the Who What Wear UK office will tell you, I also own a lot of waistcoats, and after influencer Caroline Cook wore her Frankie Shop cargos with a grey vest, I was sold on the high/low pairing of tailoring and casual cargos. Functional and fashionable—what more could a girl could want?

Next Up: The It List: Everything Our Editors Are Buying This Month