Cargoes Are This Year's It Pants—Here's How the Fashion Set Is Wearing Them

It seems like there's always a new Y2K-inspired trend emerging on the fashion scene, and this time, it's cargo pants. When I tried to find outfits on Instagram with cargo pants a few months ago, I struggled. More recently though, I found a plethora of 'fits that featured this year's It pants on my feed. I'm not surprised, as the pant style is as comfortable as it is cool.

Whether you like to keep your outfits more on the minimal side or go off the Y2K deep end, the style is as versatile as your favorite pair of jeans. If you're on the hunt for some styling inspiration, I rounded up seven outfits that'll show you exactly how to wear your new favorite pants. If you haven't secured a pair yet, I've also included the best on the market—just keep scrolling.

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(Image credit: @emilisindlev)

Button-downs are outfit saviors, and it's no different here. Pair your cargo pants with one for an off-duty look.

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(Image credit: @champagnemani)

I love how this outfit features both sporty and preppy elements—it just serves as proof that you don't need to hone in on only one aesthetic.

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(Image credit: @devonleecarlson)

If you love the feel of denim but the look of cargo pants, there are options for you, too. Since the jeans offer a trendy aspect, you can keep it simple with neutrals on top.

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(Image credit: @endlesslyloveclub)

White trousers will always look elevated, but a cargo-pant option just adds a more street-style feel to the ensemble. Add a leather jacket and boots so the pants will pop against the moodier colors.

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(Image credit: @alyssainthecity)

Again, there's no harm in keeping it easy. A fun T-shirt will not only look cool but also be extremely comfortable. I'd opt for this look on the days I want to be extremely no-fuss.

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(Image credit: @annasarlvit)

I love the versatility a neutral pair of cargo pants offers, but a pop of color will be an easy way to level up an otherwise simple outfit.

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(Image credit: @shhtephs)

Thin cargo pants make a great pairing for the ultimate vacation look. Just add a tube top or easy tank and a pair of sandals. Remember that vacation is all about looking chic but also feeling relaxed, and these pants will help you do that.

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This article was published at an earlier date and has since then been updated.

Associate Fashion Editor
Yusra Siddiqui is an editor who resides in New Jersey but bounces between the suburbs and NYC. (She's a Jersey girl at heart.) After interning at Who What Wear in 2019, she found her way to the team after graduating from LIM College in 2022 with a fashion media degree. She's also spent time writing and working for publications such as Fashionista, Coveteur, and Nylon, but she always knew that Who What Wear was where she was meant to be. When she's on the job, she's perusing runway shows, analyzing the latest thing fellow Gen Zers are up to on the internet, and sharing what she can about the modest-fashion market. You can also catch her dabbling in entertainment, talking about the costume choices of the latest Netflix series or diving deeper into how the plotline affects the viewers in a myriad of ways. Lastly, she likes to create content for Who What Wear's TikTok. Her personal time is spent doing similar but also different things—deep diving into almost every new TV show (Bridgerton, Gilmore Girls, and Stranger Things are favorites), planning her next local getaway (whenever that may be), and reading the latest Emily Henry or Sally Rooney novel in one sitting.