The Cargo Trousers I Wore All Weekend
- Jess Fulbrook
- Sep 27
- 2 min read
I’ve struggled to get into both the cargo and barrel-leg trend, purely because of my body shape right now; but these Zara ones are exactly what I needed. The shape is perfect for me and the tie-waist balances out the silhouette.
I styled mine with this M&S oversized tee but for those colder days, I would layer with a chunky navy knit or thin green sweater. Of course I pair mine with an oversized tote and my go-to flip flops, but they’re just as good with a suede grab bag and small heel for transitioning to an evening look.
Sometimes it only takes a simple styling tweak to shift the look into something more chic - think a shirt tied around the waist or worn oversized. I’d go for a solid white or a blue pinstripe to keep it timeless but still fresh. (This JW Anderson for Uniqlo shirt is a perfect designer at a fraction of the price steal.)
These cargos are a muted grey/black, which makes them the perfect base for a bold moment of colour. While I love how they pair with crisp white, I’m leaning towards green, navy, or even red and orange as we head into autumn. They’re the kind of trousers that work just as well on a coffee run as they do styled up for dinner and I’m excited to experiment with these styles over the coming months.
If you’re tempted to splurge, Citizens of Humanity and JW Anderson have some gorgeous elevated versions. While Alaïa have the perfect autumnal, aubergine pair. For a high street option, trusty retailers like Arket, COS and Weekday are doing some really great takes too.
I can already see myself wearing these cargos for seasons to come - moving into spring with lighter layers of broderie anglaise.
I wasn’t sure this trend was for me, but finding the right cut completely changed my mind. It’s proof that sometimes it’s not worth buying into ‘trends’, instead finding a version that really works for you and your style.
