Elevate your casual wardrobe with these chic cargo outfits

Cargo dressing may be associated with workwear and casual outfits. But, designers really elevated the cargo, or utility look for 2024 by teaming cargo detailing with materials or styles you wouldn’t usually associate with cargo pockets. In this article, you’ll find all best cargo styles for women over 40, with plenty of inspiration for your cargo outfits.

What are cargo or utility outfits?

So, first of all, what do we mean by cargo outfits? Well, cargo dressing stems from cargo pants, which were originally made from heavy duty material for workwear, and featured lots of pockets for tools.

What to look for?

This year’s cargo styles come in materials and types of clothing that you wouldn’t necessarily associate with cargo pockets. Cargo pants are still very much on trend, but look out for luxurious fabrics. Also look for dresses, skirts and shirts with cargo pockets.

Tank top from H&M, cargo pants from H&M (another option here), jacket from Tezenis (similar here), similar sneakers, earrings and sunglasses

What to think about

When choosing your cargo styles, think about what will be most flattering for your body type. For example, if you are a pear shape, you won’t want to add extra bulk with pockets at your thighs, but you could choose a cargo top or jacket. The opposite will hold true if you are an inverted triangle. Use the cargo pockets to add shape where you want it.

Cargo outfits on the runway

You can see below how designers elevated cargo styles by opting for cargo dresses, or by teaming smarter elements with cargo pants and jeans.

Saint Laurent – Schiaparelli – Max Mara

cargo outfits

Let’s move onto our favorite cargo styles in stores now, and how you can style them.

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Cargo tops

Starting with tops, look for shirts with cargo style pockets and wear with your favorite jeans or denim skirts. Note that the cargo pockets will add shape so this is a great choice if you want to add some curves.

Karen Millen Cotton Sateen Woven Cargo Crop Shirt – Madewell Flap-Pocket Crop Poplin Shirt – Nordstrom Utility Shirt – H&M Textured-weave Utility Shirt

Madewell Flap-Pocket Crop Poplin Shirt – Hudson Jeans Denim Cargo-Style Skirt – SOREL Joanie™ IV Y Strap Wedge Sandals – Il Bisonte Classic Leather Crossbody Bag – Jennifer Zeuner Jewelry Cooper Stud Earrings

jackets and coats

Update your denim jacket by looking for a style with cargo pockets, add cargo details to your casual outfits, or combine formal and casual by choosing a blazer with cargo pockets.

HIDDEN JEANS Denim Crop Cargo Jacket – Cinq à Sept Katie Asymmetric Belted Denim Jacket – SIMKHAI Leora Denim Cargo Jacket – J.Crew Heritage Barn Jacket

Carmen @carmen_gimeno above wears a denim cargo skirt with her maxi skirt and sneakers. Denim is very much on trend this year, so combining denim with cargo pockets is a great way to wear two trends at once.

Get her look with this similar jacket, skirt, sneakers, bag, belt, sunglasses and brooch.

Cargo pants outfits

Cargo jeans and pants are a classic way to add utility dressing to your outfits. Wear with a t-shirt and jeans for a casual look, or mix up your style and wear with a silky blouse and heels for evening. Take a look below at our cargo capsule for more ideas of what to wear with your cargo pants.

Cinq à Sept Benji Cargo Crop Jeans – AG Jeans Gatina Cotton-Blend Cargo Pants – Capsule 121 The Antares Cargo Trousers – H&M Textured-weave Cargo Pants

Cathy @themiddlepageblog above (read her style interview here) shows how you could wear your cargo pants with a blouse and pointed shoes.

Steal her look with this similar blouse, pants, heels, bag, necklace, belt and sunglasses.

Cargo skirt outfits, dresses and jumpsuits

Wearing your cargo pockets on your dress or skirt is the perfect way to add a touch of the unexpected to your utility style. Wear with heels or sneakers.

Karen Millen Tailored Compact Cotton Utility Belted Mini Dress – Karen Millen Cargo Pocket Belted Wide Leg Tailored Jumpsuit – Hudson Jeans Denim Cargo-Style Skirt – Karen Millen Cotton Sateen Woven Cargo Midi Skirt

Emms @beautifuleveryday_uk above wears a utility style jumpsuit featuring puff sleeves.

Recreate her outfit with this similar jumpsuit (other options here and here), sandals, bag and sunglasses.

Shoes to go with your cargo outfits

You can wear your cargo outfits with everything from sneakers to heels and booties, depending on how formal or casual you want to look.

Vagabond Shoemakers Ines Sandals – SOREL Joanie™ IV Y Strap Wedge Sandals – Vionic Valencia Ankle Booties – New Balance 237 V1 Sneakers

Cinq à Sept Katie Asymmetric Belted Denim Jacket – Capsule 121 The Antares Cargo Trousers – Vagabond Shoemakers Ines Sandals – Ree Projects Mini Helene Leather Hobo Bag – John Hardy Classic Chain Sterling Silver Hoops

Accessories to go with your cargo outfits

You can, of course, choose handbags with cargo pockets to add utility style to your outfit, or you can contrast the formality of your bag with the casual pockets on your outfit.

Marc Jacobs The Mini Shoulder Bag – Il Bisonte Classic Leather Crossbody Bag – Ree Projects Mini Helene Leather Hobo Bag – Jennifer Zeuner Jewelry Cooper Stud Earrings – John Hardy Classic Chain Sterling Silver Hoops

Karen Millen Cotton Sateen Woven Cargo Crop Shirt – Cinq à Sept Benji Cargo Crop Jeans – Vionic Valencia Ankle Booties – Marc Jacobs The Mini Shoulder Bag – John Hardy Classic Chain Sterling Silver Hoops

clothes to go with your cargo outfits

You can opt for top-to-toe with your cargo style, but you’re likely to want to bring in other elements from your closet to go with your cargo pants, skirts or dresses. Look out for blazers, blouses and denim styles.

Cinq à Sept Khloe Boucle Blazer – Favorite Daughter Boyfriend Denim Crop Shirt – Kobi Halperin Nellie Silk-Satin Blouse – Equipment Oriana Off-The-Shoulder Silk Top

Kim @kimair above (read her style interview here) wears a jacket with cargo pockets with her white maxi skirt and silver shoes.

Check out this similar top, jacket (another option here), skirt, sandals, handbag, earrings and sunglasses.

Your cargo outfits capsule

Below, you can see the cargo outfits from above together in one capsule. You can see you can change around the tops, bottoms, jackets and accessories to create lots of different outfits. For example, you could dress up the denim skirt with heeled sandals and a blouse, or wear the jumpsuit with sneakers.

shop the best cargo outfits here:

Continue reading:

1. 2024 Fashion Trends: All The Best Outfits To Wear This Spring And Summer
2. Not Just For Jeans! All The Denim Outfits And Trends You Need To Know This Year
3. The Best Cargo Pants Outfits To Wear For Any Occasion

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Feature image by Cathy @themiddlepageblog

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