What are Cargo Pants?

Cargo pants were first invented for army uniforms which explains all the features for cargo carrying. By the 90s, cargo pants became an everyday favourite as oversized silhouettes and utility sportswear made a claim to fame – first seen in the hip hop scene.

This pant style is characterised by their loose fit and multiple pockets, usually located on the sides of the legs. Once designed to store military gear, cargo pants now offer the ultimate combination of fashion and function. What makes the cargo pant so coveted is that it’s been designed to move with you, making it the perfect pair for daily errands or travel and even dressed up for more formal occasions too.

From humble origins to high fashion, today’s cargo pants have reimagined this relaxed silhouette and multiple pockets in materials like denim and leather. With the style looking good at any rise, cargo pants add a touch of coolness to any outfit.

Lorna Jane’s styles from the classic Flashdance pant to our athleisure cargo pant and flashback pant are focused on keeping this staple always comfortable whilst staying on-trend. Find our cargo pants in 100% nylon as well as cotton, finished with utility wear detailing like toggle cuffs, drawcords and tapered ankles.

How to Style Cargo Pants

With this fashion blast from the past, it can be daunting to begin to blend this 00s style with your adult wardrobe. Thankfully, streetwear royalty like Emrata and Bella Hadid as well as leading fashion-houses have proved that the class of ’23 cargo pants are all about chic, cool and refined dressing.

Oversized Cargo Pants

The too-big silhouette continues to trend as oversized styles create the ultimate cool girl vibe. From wide legs to low-hanging waistlines, oversized cargo pants are comfortable to lounge in but cooler to dress up. With styles like our flashback high-waisted pants, pair them with a crop tank top and your favourite chunky sneakers for an easy errand ‘fit. Or balance the cargo pant with an oversized blazer and pair them with kitten heels for an effortlessly sexy night out look. With a neutral colourway, our oversized cargo pants are a perfect outfit foundation.

Slim-fit Cargo Pants

Discover slim-fit cargo pants at their best with our Flashdance pants style. Debuting in 2005, the Flashdance pants have officially regained it-girl status thanks to Gen Z’s latest love affair with cargo pants. With the design under the influence of hip-hop style and utility fashion, our Flashdance pants offer the perfect low-waisted cargo pants.

The Flashdance pants style is 00s cargo pant fashion in its truest form, giving a look that rivals Y2K streetwear. Super versatile and very comfortable, low-waisted cargo pants feature internal tabs on the legs with buttons and a drawcord waist so you can customise the ‘fit.

Perfect for your hot girl walks this winter, our Flashdance pants are great for athleisure styled with a sports bra, but can also be dressed up with button-ups or a blazer for an elevated look. With new colourways like an on-trend dark green, graphite and white, our slim fit cargo pants are a wardrobe go-to.

Tapered Ankle Cargo Pants

Taper ankle cargo have all the features of these other styles but have been tapered at the leg to create a more unique silhouette. This style takes inspiration from the styles earliest form. A tapered ankle originally being a detail for practicality, it’s now a fashion favourite.

Channel your inner Destiny’s Child with camo print cargo pants, with our flashy pants in tropic safari or go full 90s with our nylon holographic active pant. Great for workouts and the weekend, our tapered cargo pants let you keep the oversized leg with a clean look at the ankle. Pair with your favourite graphic t-shirt and sneakers for a streetwear look or wear with a crop top and boots this festival season.

Rock the Cargo

Discover our take on this 2000s cult classic. With our cargo pant collection boasting a variety of different colourways, flattering fits, and on-trend styles, you can find the perfect cargo pant match to suit you.

With cargo pants being a timeless staple in every cool girl's wardrobe, it's time to make them your own and show off your effortlessly chic style. So go ahead and rock those cargo pants with confidence, and let the world know that you're the ultimate cool girl.

Cargo Pant FAQs

What to Wear with Cargo Pants?

Cargo pants are simple to style and can be worn a number of ways depending on the occasion and your personal style aesthetic. A popular outfit combination is pairing cargo pants with a chunky dad sneaker and a simple basic tee for a play on the 2000’s street-style look. Alternatively, add a touch of glam with a small heel, t-shirt and blazer for a dressed-up evening style.

What goes with olive green Cargo Pants?

Green cargo pants are always versatile and offer endless ways of styling. Simply pair with a fresh white t-shirt and white sneakers for effortless dressing. Or for something more elevated, pair with leather boots and a leather jacket and embrace the military nod. You could even style olive-green cargo pants with a denim jacket as the blue tones compliment the pants and add texture to the entire outfit.

What to wear with black Cargo Pants?

Black cargo pants are a fashion staple are effortless to style. Pair your black cargo pants with a white blouse to create a sophisticated and timeless look that can be dressed up or down. Or create contrast with a graphic t-shirt for a casual but bold look. On nights out, finish the black cargo pant style with a leather jacket to create a sleek and chic outfit.

What why are they called Cargo Pants?

Cargo pants gained their name due to originally being a common piece in military uniforms. The plentiful pockets were included in their design so they could carry cargo and keep soldier’s hands free. This origin story proves how today’s fashion takes inspiration from a wide range of muses and continues to get reinvented time and time again.