Cargo trousers made a triumphant return at Paris Fashion Week, not just on the runways — though it did there too, at Dolce & Gabbana, Patou and Vivienne Westwood, among others — but on the streets. Katie Holmes was one of the notable names to embrace the trend, arriving at the Zimmerman show in a pair of butter-yellow satin cargo pants with a matching utility-style jacket, but the style carried favour for many a fashion week attendee, leaving us with a rich stash of styling inspiration for the cargo trouser this season.
Due to its relaxed fit and streetwear reputation, this pant style might have flown under the radar for the more sophisticated dresser, but as the fashion week set proved, the cargo trouser is a versatile silhouette for your spring wardrobe, lending a more low-key element to your look, while also easily elevated with a blazer and pair of heels.
The codes of a cargo pant are as follows; a wide-leg silhouette, detailed with pockets along the leg, and often featuring a utility-style belt. You'll find iterations of the style in a variety of materials, from satin to linen and denim, with each brand tweaking the cargo trouser to reflect its own vision.
5 chic ways to style cargo trousers
Once you've found your perfect pair, it begs the question: what to wear with cargo trousers? Below, we've found five of the best (and fail-safe) cargo pant outfits to inspire your style for the season ahead.
Blending browns
Opting for monochrome pieces is one way to easily pull together a polished outfit; this look utilises a black leather jacket to break up tonal browns, layering it over a button-down shirt. A leather jacket and pair of cargo pants always makes for a reliable combination, and when paired with leather accessories, the equation delivers on a neutral yet luxe looking ensemble.
Loewe balloon drawstring-hem leather jacket
Miu Miu Beau patchwork tote bag
Jimmy Choo Vivi 65 embellished croc-effect leather mules
The Chloé girl cargo
Romance and utility might not go together in reality, but in fashion, it's a match made in heaven. Embrace your inner Chloé girl as this outfit demonstrates; take a floating ruffle blouse and tuck into a pair of wide-leg cargo pants to create the perfect contrast of fluidity vs clean lines. What's more, you can shop this pair straight from the Zimmermann spring/summer 2025 runway.
Chloé silk blouse
Zimmermann illuminate belted cotton-twill wide-leg cargo pants
Missoma message in a bottle necklace
Neous Kamui leather-trimmed cady slingback sandals
Utility greens
Ease into green with this aptly hued khaki ensemble. The look leans heavily into utility style, pairing straight-leg cargo trousers with an olive green trench coat, white vest top and combat boots. Contrast the heavy-duty nature of the look with feminine touches via delicate jewellery and a small shoulder bag.
Burberry Castleford trench coat
Totême organic cotton-jersey tank
Me + Em cotton cargo trouser
Proenza Schouler textured-leather ankle boots
Situated in satin
If spring is calling you to lean into a lighter palette, this white ensemble is the ideal starting point. A satin pair of cargo trousers are an adaptable style for night and day — style with a matching shirt, buttery leather clutch bag, denim jacket and heeled sandals for the daytime, and when evening comes, simply switch out the denim for a camel or black tailored blazer.
The Row Sebilia denim jacket
Streamlined shearling
Cargo trousers are a staple of the off-duty model look, and this pair by Acne nail the brief of downtown chic. The key is not to overcomplicate the ensemble – opt for a slim-fit cotton T-shirt, a neat shearling jacket, and an unassuming leather shoulder bag, which when styled with the pants, creates a look which nails effortless simplicity.
Nour Hammour Portia leather-trimmed shearling jacket
Cos shrunken slim T-shirt
Acne Studios Potinal belted cotton cargo pants
