The world’s menswear designers have been trying hard to get cargo pants back on the agenda for quite some time now. First, the king of Italian slouch, Brunello Cucinelli, had a crack (his close-cut take on the style, defined by bellows pockets on the leg, are a favourite of fintech billionaires to this day), then Christoffer Lundman at Tiger Of Sweden did his part. Ultimately, though, cargo pants had never really been able to shake their slightly crunchy, “popping pingers in a field at Glasto” look, with which they were, perhaps unfairly, tarnished back in the 1990s. Now, for SS20, things are looking up for this most utilitarian trouser. At the menswear shows back in June, there wasn’t a brand that didn’t show a pair of cargo trousers – from the souped-up parachute styles at Louis Vuitton to the close-cut butter-leather slacks at Fendi – which means that, if there’s one thing we know for SS20, it’s that pockets are back (see last month’s safari jackets trend page for proof) and that you should be wearing yours like this…
The Jacquard Ones (left)
Tiger of Sweden’s SS20 collection is a rip-roaring paen to utilitarian workwear with a dressy edge. Case in point these jacquard cargo pants finished with a slight satin sheen. There’s a matching worker jacket too, if you’re up for braving the full suit.
Trousers, £269 by Tiger Of Sweden. tigerofsweden.com.
The Classic Ones (centre)
Lanvin is newly under the aegis of Bruno Sialleli, one of the youngest creative directors in the Parisian brand’s history. His folksy, low-fi luxury approach is encapsulated in these wide legged cargo pants in a moody khaki hue. Team with some crusty knitwear for full country weekend-ready effect.
Trousers, £860 by Lanvin. lanvin.com.
The Dressy Ones (right)
Ferragamo’s lustrous burgundy (or are they claret) cargo pants feature a wide cut – making them a great option to team with sneakers – and high bellows pockets, making them as practical as they are elegant.
Trousers, £565 by Salvatore Ferragamo. ferragamo.com
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