As much as denim has become a wardrobe staple that can suit almost any event, there are some instances where even the best pair of jeans requires a reprieve, and that’s where the best cargo trousers step in. (Sorry, leggings!)
Equally adaptable but slightly more breathable, this nostalgic item intervenes during occasions that call for more casual ensembles or necessitate a more overtly relaxed shape. You might think these parameters are binary, imagining that only settings like airports, cafés or farmers’ markets might be suitable for a pair of trousers that came to notoriety in the late '90s and early 2000s.
Of course, this might’ve been the impression that cargo trousers gave off during that period. But as recent designer runways and co-signs from social media’s favourite tastemakers have proven, cargo trousers can’t really be limited to specific situations.
What’s even more important is that the best cargo trousers serve to enhance even the most fundamental wardrobe items, like a white T-shirt or humble cashmere jumper. This predominantly comes down to their utilitarian nature, boasting an abundance of practical details like pockets or elasticated hems. And whilst many of us who came of age during the Y2K era would be used to seeing cargo trousers paired with something chintzier like a halterneck top, today’s styling is far more contemporary.
At a premium price point, brands like Citizen of Humanity are styling their cargo trousers with chic funnel-neck jackets, whilst designers like Saint Laurent are rebelling further against their industrial origins by teaming them with gorgeous sheer blouses or silky tank tops.
Best of all, the best cargo trousers are styles that don’t necessarily require a lot of styling. So, if it’s your first or the first time you’re returning to the silhouette after a two-decade hiatus, you can rest assured that these styles are entirely polished and anything like the pairs of yore. Simply put, they’re the perfect substitute for any jeans outfits that you already wear in high rotation.
With that being said, keep scrolling through for a hand-selected edit of the best cargo trousers to shop and wear in 2025.
The 21 Best Cargo Trousers to Shop in 2025
- The Best Designer Cargo Trousers: Alaïa Cotton-Twill Barrel-Leg Cargo Pants, £1,350
- The Best High-Street Cargo Trousers: COS Utility Barrel-Leg Cargo Trousers, £95
- The Best Cargo Trousers for Petites: Damson Madder Felix Twill Trousers, £80
- The Best Cropped Cargo Trousers: M&S Collection Utility Trousers, £40
- The Best Corduroy Cargo Trousers: Marcelle Cotton-Blend Corduroy Wide-Leg Cargo Pants, £320
Style Notes: With a languid shape through the leg and the perfect sumptuous corduroy, these wide-leg trousers are the crème de la crème of cargo trousers.
Colour(s): Charcoal, brown
Material: 98% cotton, 2% elastane
Sizes: UK 4 16
Style Notes: Practical and pretty pieces are the backbone of Danish dressing. Given that Ganni is one of the most revered Scandi brands for the way it fuses both of these style elements, it's only fitting that these duchesse-satin trousers appear on this list.
Colour: Black
Material: 93% polyamide, 7% polyurethane
Sizes: UK 6 16
Style Notes: If Cher Horowitz were to ever take style notes from Tai instead of dishing them out, these plum-toned Alaïa trousers would totally be something you'd find in her enviable revolving, computerised closet.
Colour: Burgundy
Material: 100% cotton
Sizes: UK 8 16
Style Notes: Rick Owens' designs are always imbued with a timelessness that's both futuristic and archival. I adore how the hem dramatically puddles.
Colour: Light grey
Material: 82% viscose, 18% silk
Sizes: UK 6 16
Style Notes: It was Yves Saint Laurent who really first began toying with the notion of practicality through a designer lens. From the brand's iconic safari jackets to these cargo pants here, functionality and fashion always intertwine elegantly under these House codes.
Colour: Black
Material: 100% cotton
Size: Medium
Style Notes: Fitting true to size, this corporate-approved pair renders practical work trousers in a very on-trend perspective.
Colour: Black
Material: 67% polyester, 29% viscose, 4% elastane
Sizes: UK 6 24, three leg lengths: petite, regular, long
Style Notes: COS's barrel-leg trousers are really well cut to suit a range of body types, and this style is no exception. Including a chic side zip and ballooning shape, these are so comfy, lightweight and soft.
Colour(s): Off-white, black
Material: 96% cotton, 4% elastane
Sizes: EU 32 44
Style Notes: As an independently-owned British label, Damson Madder is a major player in the alternative high-street game. Designing archetypal shapes with a cool and playful perspective, these cargo pants are cropped at the ankle and tapered at the waist.
Colours: Olive, caramel, stone
Material: Organic cotton
Sizes: UK 6 20
Style Notes: With a slight barrel shape and cutting just below the calf, these cotton cargo pants can take you through so many occasions: cosy Sunday-afternoon strolls, drinks with friends, sophisticated office looks…
Colour(s): Cream, army green
Material: 100% cotton
Sizes: UK 4 16
Style Notes: These have such a vintage feel to them, but the modern fabric ensures they're heavy-duty, not see-through, and won't fade in the wash.
Colour: Dark green
Material: 72% cotton, 28% recycled nylon
Sizes: EU 32 44
Style Notes: The devil is in the details with this pair. Whilst they might look deceivingly simple, there's actually a sweet floral note embossed into the fabric.
Colour: White
Material: 100% viscose
Sizes: UK 4 16
Style Notes: With a soft pleat that cascades down the leg and a tie-up belt, you'll never notice that these trousers are technically cargos.
Colour: Dark brown
Material: Polyester 54%, wool 44%, elastane 2%
Sizes: UK 4 16
Style Notes: Not all cargo trousers have to be weighed down with excess pockets, just as this camel-toned COS pair proves.
Colour: Beige
Material: 100% cotton
Sizes: UK 4 16
Style Notes: Agolde jeans are truly some of the most highly rated of all the denim options currently available. It's no wonder, then, that this cargo style comes so highly rated.
Colour: Light blue
Material: 75% organic cotton, 25% lyocell
Sizes: 3XS XXL
Style Notes: Running slightly oversized, this pair is true to its name with deep pockets, textural button fixtures and a lived-in wash.
Colour: Dark khaki
Material: 100% RCS-certified recycled cotton
Sizes: XXS XXL
Style Notes: Ever thought that cargo pants were a bit too pragmatic and mundane for your tastes? These take a more sophisticated form, providing them with a The Row-esque finish.
Colour: Light beige
Material: 45% RCS-certified recycled polyester, 55% OCS-certified organically grown cotton
Sizes: XS XXL
Style Notes: The aforementioned Alaïa cargo trousers were certainly the inspiration for this expensive-looking-high-street pair. With a crinkled effect and stunning deep Bordeaux colour, this style is perfect for holiday travels.
Colour: Lilac
Material: 83% modal, 17% polyester
Sizes: XS XXL
Style Notes: Navy and balloon shapes are two of the season's biggest trends, and Allsaints combines them perfectly with this style.
Colour: Collegiate blue
Material: 100% polyester
Sizes: XS L
Style Notes: Miu Miu's design signatures bring an eternally youthful and slightly preppy twist to the cargo trouser trend. And yes, they come with the built-in belt.
Colour: Olive green
Material: 100% cotton
Sizes: IT 36 50
Style Notes: Leset is not only one of my personal favourite shopping destinations, but a brand beloved by A-listers including Margot Robbie, Jennifer Lawrence and Taylor Swift. Fusing ease with elegance, these cargo pants are the definition of languid dressing.
Colour(s): White, black
Material: 100% cotton
Sizes: XS XL
Style Notes: Terracotta is the basis of one of 2025's most sophisticated fashion colour combinations, and what better way to embrace it than through this floaty pair from Aligne?
Colour: Brown
Material: 45% organic cotton, 55% polyamide
Sizes: UK 4 22
Are Cargo Trouser in Style in 2025?
Despite cargo trousers rising to prominence in the early 20th century as a crucial part of military regalia, the trousers are certainly trending over 100 years on. In 2025, cargo pants remain a fashion staple called upon by the world's stylish dressers. Not only that, but their constant presence in designer collections, high-street drops and celebrated runway shows is proof of their inability to look dated.
What to Wear With Cargo Pants
Given the fact that no two cargo pants really look the same—they're always differentiated by the addition of a wayward pocket or decorative zip—it's sometimes hard to know where to start when styling them. However, you really don't need to overthink it when it comes to piecing together an outfit. Like with most things—cooking, painting or even mathematics—it's really important to nail the basics. So, once you've chosen the pair that suits your needs best, it's really a matter of teaming them up with other staple items you frequently wear.
If you're someone whose style leans more minimalist, you might want to stay away from a pair that has excess ornamentation, so it can team well with all your chic trench coats and pretty ballet flats. On the other end of the spectrum, if you're someone who gravitates towards eclectic pieces, why not embrace a more idiosyncratic style and piece it with some vintage, distressed knitwear and in-fashion trainers?
What to Look for When Buying Cargo Pants
Ultimately, the best cargo trousers come down to fabric. Oftentimes, I'll buy cargo trousers online and find they're too transparent or remind me of something someone's dad would wear to go camping. And whilst the latter image is okay if you're going for a look reminiscent of the father from The Parent Trap, it's not exactly the stylish silhouette I'm aspiring towards.
So, try to opt for natural fibres like cotton. You'll not only find these to be more durable, but also better made. Secondly, you'll want to look out for the fit. Any style that includes belt loops or well-structured pockets is guaranteed to be crafted with quality in mind and will certainly stand up against more flimsier pairs with stretchy hems and synthetic materials.
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We regularly try on pieces ourselves—everything from best-selling jeans to designer shoes—and speak to external experts and fashion insiders, staying closely connected to what our readers are searching for. Our advice is grounded in expertise, and each and every buy we feature has to meet our exceptional taste standards—so you can feel confident in every recommendation.
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