Cargo Pants Style Guide: History, Latest Snaps & Must-Have Picks

Cargo pants,” characterized by large side pockets, are a staple of rugged bottoms and are also attracting attention as one of the items that fit the trendy style in recent men’s fashion. In this issue, we will introduce the style of “cargo pants” and recommended items to look out for.

Both workwear and military wear

Cargo pants are work pants that came into use among workers engaged in cargo handling operations on cargo ships. They are made of thick, durable cotton fabric and are characterized by large cargo pockets sewn on both sides of the outer thighs for easy access when bending over. They are sometimes called “six-pocket pants” because the basic form of cargo pants has six pockets: two hip pockets, two back pockets, and two cargo pockets.

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Cargo pants, like chinos, are made of cotton. Many of them are made of 100% cotton or a mixture of nylon and polyester, such as twill weave, herringbone, and ripstop fabrics. Today, as the range of designs expands, cargo pants made of different materials such as wool, denim, and corduroy are also available.

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Since the origin of these pants was as work wear, many of them have a loose silhouette that emphasizes ease of movement. Recently, however, jogger-type pants with a ribbed hem and cargo pants with a tapered, crisp silhouette have also been developed. It should also be noted that cargo pants with a center crease in slacks are collectively called “dress cargo” or “cargo slacks,” a new category that has been gaining popularity in recent years.

GENTLEMAN PROJECTS

Cargo pants originated as work pants for dockworkers...

In 1942, the “M-42 Paratrooper Pants” were born in the U.S. as military pants. In 1942, the “M-42 Paratrooper Pants” were born in the United States as military pants, and since then, various types of military cargo pants have appeared in Italy, Germany, and other countries, including the “M-47” of the French Army. This led to the emergence of cargo pants. This led to the spread of cargo pants among the civilian population, and a common perception of “cargo pants = military pants” has emerged.