Cargo pants: The story behind the trend pants for 2023

Cargo pants are particularly trendy among outdoor lovers. Logical, because thanks to their many pockets, the pants offer plenty of storage space for maps, knives, compass, etc. The fabric of the pants is usually water-repellent, can be easily cleaned and remains wonderfully light and comfortable. All of this makes the cargo pants the ideal outdoor companion – but not only that.

The pants also found their way into subcultures such as the organized fan scene of traditional football clubs. Combined with a casual crop top, bucket hat and a dark jacket, cargo pants have long been one of the main components of the ultra uniform in German football stadiums. Speaking of uniforms: this is where cargo pants originated.

The history of cargo pants

The history of cargo pants begins in England in the early 1930s. During this time, the British military redesigned its uniforms. The aim was to create a cost-effective and therefore more resource-efficient and practical uniform. Both goals were lessons learned from the First World War, which placed new demands on soldiers and the military and in which even resources such as clothing materials and leather were scarce and important.

The British new uniform

The uniforms of the time seemed impractical to the military for modern war, in which soldiers were increasingly carrying more equipment with them, such as first aid kits, maps and ammunition. This was of course due to the fact that weapons and warfare had developed further compared to the 19th century. Instead of firing one or two shots in an orderly formation in magnificent uniforms, soldiers had to fight material battles with machine guns in trench warfare.

And so the British military introduced its new field service dress in 1937. At first it was made of denim, which is not particularly practical when the soldiers are traveling in wet terrain. A little later, the designers turned to a thin cotton fabric called khaki, which is lighter and dries faster. And you already guessed it: the trousers of the first field service dress mark the beginning of cargo trousers.

Originally, the first cargo pants had three pockets: a back pocket for personal items, a closed side pocket for first-aid supplies and a side pocket on the trouser leg for cards. There were also tabs at the bottom of the pants to tighten the laces at the ankles. This saved the British the need for high and, above all, expensive leather boots, which were previously part of the uniform.

Unexpectedly in German hands

And with a few changes to save material or improve the pants a little, this design lasted for around 25 years. Curious: During the Second World War, even German soldiers wore cargo pants. How did this come about? Beginning in 1938, the Americans helped the British produce the uniform. They shipped the pants to France in large numbers. Why France? Because the British Expeditionary Force was stationed there.

This was the part of the British armed forces that fought in Belgium and France during the First and Second World Wars. Fortunately for the world, the British and French evacuated much of their troops in Operation Dynamo at the Battle of Dunkirk in 1940. What they left behind were a number of resources such as vehicles, ammunition and cargo pants. The German Navy in particular found the British trousers so practical that they gave the trousers to the crews of their submarines.

American innovation

The modern cargo pants with two pockets on the sides were an American development for their paratroopers in World War II. They usually operated in small units and had a limited number of ammunition. And that’s exactly what cargo pants come in handy for: they have two large pockets on the sides that can be closed so that nothing gets lost when you jump out of the plane.

How the cargo pants made it into the closet

So it’s logical that cargo pants are now an integral part of military uniforms from all over the world and of course also in the Bundeswehr. In the 1980s, more and more fashion companies took up the practical trousers. And men in particular enjoyed the many pockets, because they like to do without a handbag and still want to carry their wallet, keys, handkerchiefs, etc. with them without them being in the way. That’s probably why football fans also like the functional pants. In their side pockets you can bring wonderfully small drinking packs into the stadium to quench your Saturday thirst. As is well known, cans or bottles are not allowed in the stadium.

Cargo pants trend 2023: popular models

Don’t worry: these days, cargo pants have shed their warlike image. What remains is their functionality and the comfortable fit. And they are probably woeker than some warmongers would like, the cargo pants are suitable for men and women alike. It is particularly popular on hiking tours because it is particularly light and the material is pleasantly breathable. And of course it offers enough space to carry important items with you, which saves you from having to rummage around in your backpack.

Carhartt cargo pants

The classic among the probably comes from Carhartt. The manufacturer is particularly popular in the USA for its work clothing. Carharrt’s cargo pants came into wardrobes with the baggy trend of the 1990s. To date, little has changed in the design. It fits loosely, offers a total of six pockets and can be tied tightly at the ankle. It is available in several colors, with beige and dark green being the classics.

The pants are now also available “more feminine” Version, although female is relative here, as the original passes for unisex without any problems. The model However, it is less suitable for men because it is cut a little narrower at the waistband and therefore requires a narrow waist.

NA KD

The same applies to the , which is also very wide and comfortably cut, but tapers quite narrowly at the waist. Compared to the Carhartt Cargo, it also offers one more pocket, seven in number.

Eightyfive

Don’t let the picture confuse you: At the These are not flared trousers for women. They are baggy cargo pants for men that have four pockets on the legs. Like the classic Carhartt model, the trousers can be pulled together at the waist.

Alpha Industries

Alpha Industries is known for making military clothing suitable for the masses. The manufacturer’s most iconic piece is probably its MA-1 flight jacket. Of course, one is also allowed in the manufacturer’s range not missing.

Garcia

This belongs to the category of particularly relaxed cargo pants . Similar to jogging pants, the pants have stretch elastics at the waistband and ankles and are wide cut. For everyone who wants to combine the comfort of joggers with the fashion statement of cargo.

Tommy Hilfiger

It can be even more stylish: even luxury brands like have jumped on the cargo pants bandwagon. However, it remains questionable whether cargo lovers would want to jump on the Tommy Hilfiger bandwagon. Instead of being particularly wide and casually cut, Hilfiger’s trousers taper towards the ankle and look a bit slick. The casual and somewhat robust design of the original cargo is missing from the trousers. Falls more into the category: Cargo for mother-in-law’s favorite.

H&M Cargo

And last but not least, a casual one. The Swedish fashion house does it right and offers affordable cargo pants without much fanfare and without a tight waistband. The trousers have a wide cut and can be worn on the hips. Simple, simple, practical and yet beautiful.

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