Today, we're dedicating a love letter to one of our favourite pieces- the cargo trousers or pants, depending on where you're reading this.
Cargos make you feel beautiful, appreciated and never let you down. Oh, the Cargo, we’d marry you if you’d let us. Without further ado, let’s begin ...
A Brief Vintage Cargo Pants History Lesson
Who? What? When? Where? Why? All good questions and all will be revealed. We feel that a little history lesson of the story behind the Cargo is definitely needed here (ok, we know we’re not at school), but to be able to really appreciate how truly awesome the Cargo trousers are, you definitely want to keep reading.
A pair of Cargos is a piece of apparel that American fashion semantics would term ‘blue collar chic’, essentially meaning that these items originated as a form of workwear long before trickling up to the higher echelons of fashion as they became increasingly popularised through the decades. In this way, a Cargo is very similar to the classic Vintage Levi’s or the Burberry trench coat. Work first, fashion follows.
Originating in 1938- wartime Britain as a sturdy form of military wear with ideal functionality and trademark generous pockets, the popularity of the Cargo quickly spread, especially once it became the pant of choice for the U.S. army in the 40s. The classic Cargo colour palette – khaki/army/olive green – is easily explained by the Cargo’s military heritage.
Here at Domno, a born and bred British brand, we appreciate the history of the Cargo and want to share this with you, so that when you’re next sporting your pair of Cargos, you can have a real feel for how they came about.
How To Style Vintage Cargo Pants For The Girlies
History lesson over. Feeling good about yourself for getting this far, hey? Now for the styling tips ...
Bella Hadid Style
Although Cargo pants/trousers may have originated from male-dominated roots, this by no way means you too can’t rock the Cargo in all its glory. And who better to show us, than the very queen herself, Bella Hadid. Named the most powerful dresser of 2022, it would be silly not to have your Pinterest board plastered with images of her in her go-to item of apparel, yeah, the Cargo.
Bella masters Cargo legwear style, playing on its baggy silhouette with tighter tees and classic vests. Another variation of the Cargo, the Cargo skirt, works in just the same way and is effortlessly cool. Just see for yourself:
Pairing Cargo Pants With A Corset
Another classic way to style the Cargo, for a day-to-night look is through combining it with a corset. A current look employed by uni students all across the U.K. Tt’s the perfect combination of casual and flirty. And again, like the Cargo skirt, Cargo shorts work in just the same way as an ideal alternative.
How To Style Cargos For The Guys
The Basics
Don’t worry, we didn’t forget you. When it comes to guys and Cargos, we love a classic look. Greens, beiges and browns work best.
You can play with a range of shapes too. Those of you with more of a smart aesthetic can wear your Cargos with a tighter, straighter leg fit for a clean look. Cargos work well with simple hoodies or slightly oversized open-neck shirts. Dickies have a cleaner cut Cargo that works ideally.
Get That Oversized Look
On the other side of the spectrum, super, SUPER baggy can work every bit as well. And having a special place in our hearts, the ¾ length Cargo shorts elevate this look. It’s just so cool and is reminiscent of the 00s skater/surfer boy look.
Core Vintage Brands To Style The Cargo
If you don’t know where to start looking for your Cargos, just think of outerwear brands and they’ll most probably have your back. Our two favourites are Carhartt and Dickies – based on the fact that these really are the true and unbeatable classics. However, if these aren’t your style, The North Face and Wrangler both have some pretty good options too.
Depending on the style you want, Cargos often come with a zip-off option, essentially meaning that you take away the bottom of your full-length legwear and transform them into Cargo shorts, which makes them multipurpose versatile and even cooler. But if you want this style, make sure to go for vintage or outwear trad brands, as modern day fast-fashion numbers rarely have this option.
Girls, it can be a bit harder to find a good fit of vintage Cargos based on the fact that they were mainly made for men, but this is easily remedied. We recommend buying as close as possible to your waist and hip size (depending on low or high waisted fit preference) and adding a chunky belt- or even a shoe lace to tighten them around the back. This is a pretty easy hack to make the Cargos a bit more body-hugging, while also adding a further element to the outfit!
Cargos @ Domno
Now, it would be silly to go on for hundreds of words about our deep love of the Cargo without plugging some shameless self-promotion. Oops. So, here at Domno, we have the biggest and best range of Cargos to fulfil all of your deepest fantasies. Vintage is obviously the best way to go, and since you’re already here, why don’t you take a peek here?
To Conclude
The Cargo is, and has been for decades, a staple and timeless item to add to your wardrobe. Never going out of style, a sturdy pair of Cargo pants/trousers is the perfect investment piece that will never age. And on top of this, a vintage Cargo is not only an investment in your style, but also in your environment as you do your bit to reduce the mass overconsumption of clothing. Coming in so many variations of colour, fit, and even branching off into shorts and skirts, Cargos have an option for everyone, and that’s why we love them so much.
Until next time,
Shop consciously,
Domno Vintage x
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