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When it comes to cargo pants, you either hate 'em or love 'em—there's no in between. After all, the baggy, oversized style tends to give 'suburban dad as a tourist' vibes. We've always known that cargo pants are functional, thanks to all those pockets, but not exactly always fashionable. Guess what? Things. Have. Changed! These days, cargo pants are a stylish option for nailing that chill, cool girl aesthetic and remixing a more formal look. They're one of the biggest ongoing trends of 2023, tbh. Street style queens like Rihanna, Zendaya, Hailey Bieber, and Bella Hadid flawlessly execute the look over and over again, and that obvi makes us ready to retire any past hangups about cargo pants. However, that doesn't necessarily mean finding the right pair(s) will be just as effortless. So, we took it upon ourselves to make shopping the divisive style easy for you. (You're welcome!)
What's most amazing about these pants is the versatility—wear 'em with sneakers or dress them up with a strappy heel. Pair with an oversized blazer for the office or a sporty top for weekend play—truly, a cargo pant will take you anywhere. And bonus, you can keep your lipgloss and credit card in one of those many functional pockets and the style can be worn year-round. I'm tellin' ya, there's a pair for everyone. See for yourself—in this curated selection, you'll find patterned pants, pretty colors, fun, and classic silhouettes!
Our top picks for the best cargo pants of 2024:
PrettyLittleThing Khaki Wide Leg High Waisted Cargo Pant
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best over-dyed
3.1 Phillip Lim Women's Overdyed Denim Utility Jeans
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best in barbiecore
DES PHEMMES Stone-Washed Cargo Jeans
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best streetstyle vibes
OFF-WHITE Cotton-Canvas Straight Leg Cargo Pant
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best chic and comfy moment
Tibi Shiny Nylon Pleated Stella Cargo Pant
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BTW, if you're trying to get your summer wardrobe together, here are some sweaters (yes, summer sweaters exist!) flirty summer dresses (and some linen ones, too!) and lightweight pants to make life easier. Oh, also—if you have no idea what to wear or how to pair 'em, this list of major summer outfit inspo is just what you need. Okay, okay now scroll down to pick your player.
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If you're all about color, you can't go wrong with this lilac pair from CAMI NYC.
Want something a little flashier? These shiny pants from Zara are perfect for grabbing attention.
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The tonal greens are *chef's kiss*.
TBH, I just need this entire set for myself.
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You can never go wrong with a classic black cargo pant.
Cassie Anderson
Fashion Director
Cassie Anderson is the fashion director for Cosmopolitan, where she leads celebrity styling and fashion continuity for the print magazine and the brand’s digital platforms. Cassie joined Cosmopolitan after 10 years of editing and styling at Harper’s BAZAAR. Cassie has also styled for other Hearst titles, including Elle, Town & Country, and Esquire. Follow her fabulous feed - featuring the A-list talent she’s styled - on Instagram and TikTok.