How to Style Cargo Pants: Our Fave Outfits

If you're looking for a stylish but understated look, balance your cargo pants with a fitted white tee. While the cargo pants bring the bulk and the utilitarian vibe, the white tee balances that out with a sleek, tailored and slim silhouette. You can either tuck your t-shirt into high-waisted cargos or wear a slightly cropped tee that emphasizes your waist. Tie your look together with a sleek belt and necklaces. And for footwear? Chunky sneakers or gorgeous sandals can finish the look.

The Gap tee we selected is a great choice for tucking in with loose-fit cargos. Need some other options? Here are some of the best white tees we found. 

Thinking about adding a touch of sophistication to your cargo pants? Layer it with a long jacket. The clean lines from the tailored jacket will create a beautiful contrast with the loose fit of the cargo pants. For an eye-catching look, wear a black tee, black cargo pants and a red fitted blazer like this one sold on Amazon from The Drop. Finish the look off with black boots or heels.

For a sporty or edgy vibe, add a varsity jacket. You can combine a black satin and leather varsity jacket with white cargo pants or go with something bold and fun. Take a look at some of the best varsity jackets we discovered. 

One of the surest ways to appear effortlessly chic is by going monochromatic. Wearing all black, for example, is simply edgy and cool. The beauty of wearing just one palette is that it also elongates your silhouette. So, if you're looking to slim your look, choose a dark palette and then make that palette pop with bold jewelry — necklaces or earrings. To keep your outfit dynamic, layer it with different textures or even different shades. Experiment with accessories, too, like a matching bag or shoes.

This oversized button-down shirt from J.Crew can be worn unbuttoned over a black tank and inky cargos for a sleek-but-casual look, or buttoned up and paired with wide-leg black cargos, heels and a sparkly clutch for a date night look.

To get a chic look with a cropped top, the trick is to master proportions. Since cargo pants come designed as relaxed and loose-fitting, you'll want to highlight your upper body with a fitted cropped top that will show off your upper body. If you choose a loose top, try to tuck the front part in so you don't look too slouchy. Prefer a fitted cropped top? You can double up with a fitted cropped blazer. Check out our selections of the best crop tops under $100. 

A cropped tank like this ribbed organic cotton one we picked from Quince highlights your arms and waist without showing too much skin. Try it in black with high-waisted camel cargo pants for a classic chic color combo.

Styling cargo pants with a sweater can be a bit of a challenge. While you want to stay warm, you also want to avoid looking too bulky. If you have a chunky knit sweater, pair it with more slim-fitting cargo pants to give you a streamlined look. On the other hand, if you have bulky cargo pants (think jean cargo pants, for example), find a lightweight, fitted sweater. What you're going for is balance, with the slimmer upper top offsetting the volume at the bottom.

Pair the relaxed Mongolian cashmere sweater from Quince that we selected with fitted or cropped cargos. The cropped sweater options in our Quince sweater collection pair perfectly with loose-fitting cargo pants.

If you really want to make your outfit pop and stand out from the crowd, pair your cargo pants with a bodysuit. A bodysuit is not only a beautiful contrast to the relaxed fit of cargo pants, but it can also show off some of your curves. Don’t be afraid to experiment with colors, or choose a sleek, neutral palette for a classic look. Check out our collection of trending bodysuits for some flattering options.

For a minimalist chic look, combine a black bodysuit with white cargo pants. This soft, cotton bodysuit from Quince is a timeless pick. Add strappy heels, and it's a perfect combo for a night out.

To take your casual style up a notch, pair your cargo pants with heels or heeled boots. By combining the relaxed look of your cargo pants with sophisticated footwear, you can easily elevate your style from casual to polished. For a chic touch, go with stiletto heels. For an edgier look, wear heeled boots. Then, complete the look with a chic, cropped blazer.

We love the sleek look of these Everlane boots, show them off with cropped cargo pants or let them peek out from under wide-leg cargos.

If you're worried that your cargo pants feel a little too rugged, contrast them with some feminine details on top, like lace, silk or lingerie-inspired details. It's a great nod to your feminine side while still maintaining a grounded, casual vibe. You can complete your feminine look with heels or finish off the style with edgy-heeled boots.

The puff-sleeves and ruffles on this Madewell top add enough girlie details to balance out even the most utilitarian cargo pants. Pair with structured or camouflage cargos for even starker contrast. Our best corset tops collection is a great starting place for shopping this style.

Simpler is almost always better when styling cargo pants. The rugged vibe of cargo pants already makes a distinct statement, so the key is to complete your look without overwhelming it. If your look is minimalist and understated, use subtle, accent jewelry, like these gold Mejuri hoops or a simple necklace. If you'd like to add a playful vibe, wear a colorful, chunky bracelet.

When it comes to handbags, think small. Clutch bags, crossbody bags and mini backpacks are perfect additions. They add elegance without stealing the spotlight from your outfit.