How to Style Cargo Pants Like a Fashion Editor

All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Knowing how to style cargo pants is every well-dressed eclectic girlie’s secret weapon. Once associated with frat bros and ROTC members, the last few trend cycles have shifted perceptions on the functional garment. Now, cargo pants can look put together with virtually any item, or aesthetic, in your closet—if you’re willing to take the risk.

You can still wear cargo pants classically—with a hoodie or bomber jacket, for example—but they’re also easy to style with more unexpected pieces. Scandi girls, for example, love to go experimental by wearing the loose-fit bottoms with a striped button-down shirt and cowboy boots. Those with a more sporty-adjacent style, on the other hand, often mix theirs with graphic sweaters and basketball jerseys. And though cargos are undeniably boyish in nature, they also pair well with spicy Club Classics like bra tops and bustiers. (Notice I said “pair well,” not “match”—because when styling cargo pants, intentional clashing is half the fun.)

It’s these delightful contrasts that make cargos such an exciting piece to style. Like jeans, they go with everything. And unlike jeans, they give every outfit a palpable air of coolness. So with that, I invite you to peruse the most stylish ways to style cargo pants for yourself with these outfit ideas for spring, summer, fall, winter, and every transitional season in between.

With TweedEdward Berthelot/Getty Images

If you’re looking for an editor-tested method that’s been proven to withstand the most brutal conditions (read: February’s New York Fashion Week), cargos and tweed should be a top contender. I personally wore this look for NYFW’s Fall/Winter 2026 season, and it was one of my most complimented outfits of the week. Though I chose to dress up in a fuchsia lady jacket and leopard cargos, the opportunities for color/print mixing are pretty much endless.

PTCL High Waist Baggy Cargo Jeans

Mango Tweed Jacket

With a Trench CoatMauricio Santana/Getty Images

Though baggy cargo pants and trench coats are derived from two very different fashion subsets, they actually wear together astonishingly well—a fact which speaks both to the universality of the trench and the adaptability of cargos. From there, you can feel free to accessorize as you see fit. Quilted bags, cowboy boots, and statement belts are all on the table.

Scoop Low-Slung Wide-Leg Cargo Jeans

Everlane Modern Trench Coat

Lean Into LuxuryEdward Berthelot/Getty Images

The best way to style cargo pants is by leaning into the hyper-masculine vibe or going in the complete opposite direction. This outfit falls under the latter category. Pairing a utilitarian staple, like cargo pants, with overtly luxurious piece (such as a vintage fur coat or heritage bag) gives your ’fit a captivating touch of the unexpected. It’s like the “wrong shoe theory,” but for your entire outfit.

Levi’s ’94 Baggy Cargo Jeans

Faux Fur Long Coat

Scandi StyleEdward Berthelot/Getty Images

This outfit equation is straight out of the Scandinavian girl playbook. The stylish folks of Denmark, Norway, and Sweden love to match cargo pants with workwear staples, like dress shirts and loafers. It’s a fast and easy way to make the tomboy trousers feel utterly whimsical.

Qicamo High-Waisted Cargo Jean

J.Crew Garçon Shirt with Bows

Rainbow BrightsChristian Vierig/Getty Images

Though cargo pants are considered grunge fashion royalty, don’t let that deter you from a pop of color. Vibrant pants offer a great opportunity for color blocking, but even traditional camo styles feel more lively when worn with rainbow hues.

Daily Practice Base Jump Parachute Pants

Journee Collection Tallie Tru Open-Toe Mid Heel Pumps

Grab a Bomber JacketEdward Berthelot/Getty Images

If Hailey Bieber has influenced you to invest in a leather bomber jacket, allow me to make the case for cargo pants. Both derive from old-school military uniforms, which makes them a match made in sartorial heaven. Wear the two together—with aviator sunglasses—for an authentic styling.

Gap Mid-Rise Cargo Baggy Khakis

Anine Bing Leon Bomber Jacket

Layered Under a SkirtValentina Frugiuele/Getty Images

Speaking from personal experience, this Disney Channel-backed layering hack makes pretty much any pant style feel 10x chicer. Dress pants and jeans are the most common denominators, but don’t discount a pair of black cargo pants. Pop on a pleated school girl style and an edgy belt over top and you’ll instantaneously be the best-dressed person in the room.

Alo Megastar Cargo Pant

Open Edit Pleated A-Line Miniskirt

Skater StyleEdward Berthelot/Getty Images

Ask a skater boy how to style cargo pants, and he’ll surely advise pairing them with a graphic tee and sneakers. The mash-up has been a skate park fixture for decades and, I’m pleased to report, it hits just as hard on solid ground. If you’re looking for a way to elevate the tomboy combo, reach for a printed sweater, instead of a T-shirt. It’ll give your outfit a touch more polish—a vibe you can double down on by adding your favorite designer bag. Think: Avril Lavigne, all grown up.

AE Stretch Barrel Cargo Pant

Maeve Golf-Themed Oversized Cardigan Sweater

Double DenimEdward Berthelot/Getty Images

When getting dressed, always ask yourself WWBSD? (What would Britney Spears do?) In the case of cargo pants, the pop star would add another layer of denim—and then another, and then another. And while you don’t have to take it as far as jean cowboy hats, the general concept is one worth copying. Style your jargo pants (jean cargo pants) with a matching denim shirt or jacket to make a similar statement, or go avant-garde by transforming your favorite mini skirt into a tube top.

PacSun Baggy Blitz Cargo Wide Leg Jeans

HaiMao Denim Corset Top

With a JerseyDaniel Zuchnik/Getty Images

Taylor Swift, and other WAGs like her, have worked tirelessly over the last few years to bridge the gap between fashion and sport. As a result, street style is sportier than it’s ever been. One of the biggest examples of this is the rise of athletic jerseys, which have seen a surge in popularity, even among the most athletically ignorant editors (read: me). It just so happens that the look also plays well with a pair of cargo pants and sneakers.

Steve Madden Duo Cargo Jeans

Pilcro Varsity Tee

With a Bra TopEdward Berthelot/Getty Images

Coachella girlies, this one’s for you. Cargo pants are a music festival favorite, due to their comfy fit and hands-free nature, but all that fabric can feel a bit overwhelming—especially in the Southern California heat. Counter-balance the excess coverage with something a bit more revealing, like a bralette or bikini top, for a much-needed dose of skin. A bodysuit or tight-fitted top works too if you prefer a little more coverage.

Alo Show Off Cargo Wide Leg Trouser

Skims Fits Everybody Lace Bralettes (2-Pack)

With a BustierClaudio Lavenia/Getty Images

There’s something about the contrast of delicate lingerie and androgynous chunky cargos that just works. Play into each contradictory vibe separately, by styling with sneakers and a luxury bag—a slicked-back pony never hurt, either.

Banana Republic Factory High-Rise Straight Twill Cargo Pant

Lace Bustier Corset Tops

With a BlazerEdward Berthelot/Getty Images

I’m a firm believer that anything can be workwear, if you style it right. In the case of cropped or straight-leg cargo pants, that means matching them with a boxy blazer, sleek heels, and a posh lip color. Essentially, just add a bit of Victoria Beckham’s signature style and you’re good to go. It’s a good look for a date night, too.

Vici Collection Satin Cargo Joggers

James Relaxed Blazer

‘90s LayersEdward Berthelot/Getty Images

The “long-sleeved tee under a short-sleeved tee” styling combo is another skatepark favorite that has withstood the test of time. Give the combo a modern-day update with a textured base layer (i.e.: lace or fishnet), topped with the oversized tee of your choice. From there, just pop up on your baggiest cargos, a pair of badass combat boots, and maybe an oversized hoodie for a look that feels both hardcore and undeniably cool. In the summer, a pair of cargo shorts works just as well with this styling tip.

BP Twill Wide Leg Cargo Pants

Pull & Bear Lace Top