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Would you wear it? Slim cargo pants.

February 2, 2012 By Joe | Heads up: Buying via our links may result in us getting a commission. Also, we take your privacy rights seriously. Head here to learn more.

GAP Slim Herringbone Cargos – $43.99 ($59.95) | Slim Fit Cargo Pants – $28.99 ($59.95)

Believe it or not, sizes are pretty much sold out on those two pairs up top.  Check your local brick and mortar GAP though.  They might have some hanging out on the clearance racks.

Man.  These things are like Rasputin.  They just… won’t… die.  They’re the boomerang of trousers.  And this time the cargo pant comet has come back around in a tapered, ultra slim form.

Which means those extra pockets have been rendered almost completely useless.  Hard to get any true “cargo” in there when they only have half an inch of travel between your thigh and the outside world.  But it’s not like we’re stuffing stuff in our lower blazer or sportcoat pockets.  Those are purely asthetic.

Maybe the key is to keep the pockets purely inside?  Maybe?  No ballooning, expanding patch/pleated pockets.  Keep em’ streamlined like the charcoal version up top and to the left.  Apologies to Sergent Friday, but perhaps the key to cargo pants is to see just the flaps… ma’am.

Or maybe they’re just a lost cause no matter what.  Would you wear them?  Leave your take below.

Dockers Slim Tapered Cargo – $70 | Converse – $80 | Guess – $32.79 w/code RED

Filed Under: Clothing Tagged With: cargo pants, gap slim cargo, slim cargos, trend, would you wear it?

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Comments

  1. Andrew B says

    February 2, 2012 at 2:05 AM

    They’re a hell of a lot better than the cargos we all used to wear 10-15 years ago (come on, I wasn’t the only one) but please just make them go away.  Maybe after this iteration they will.  And if they take those dressed-up sweatpants with them I’ll be even happier, but that’s a long shot.

  2. EssDee says

    February 2, 2012 at 2:57 AM

    Full cargoes for when they are needed (hikes, etc.). Slim cargoes – absolute no-no!!!

  3. Anonymous says

    February 2, 2012 at 4:32 AM

    Can this fad just die already? 

  4. Ryan N. says

    February 2, 2012 at 4:34 AM

    Cargo pants are for utility; stop trying to make them fashionable (and failing EVERY time).

  5. Davelli0331 says

    February 2, 2012 at 4:46 AM

    Agree with posted comments. “Dressy” cargo pants are a fashion trend, not true men’s style, and will hopefully go away as quickly as any other fad.

  6. JRok says

    February 2, 2012 at 5:20 AM

    Does anyone carry that much shit that they actually need two extra pockets on their pants?

  7. E.P.C. says

    February 2, 2012 at 6:13 AM

    I wish designers would stop trying to make these things come back from the dead.

    The only things those extra pockets are good at holding are crushed hopes and broken dreams.

  8. Anonymous says

    February 2, 2012 at 6:31 AM

    I don’t really get it.

  9. Ben says

    February 2, 2012 at 6:44 AM

    I hope they die, but oh well. I can’t wear slim pants of any kind, which is silly because I’m a very slim guy. Maybe it’s my jealousy talking. No.

  10. qpl says

    February 2, 2012 at 7:10 AM

    I would rather wear a kilt 

    (though I certainly would wear cargo pants camping or hiking) 

  11. Andrew King says

    February 2, 2012 at 7:10 AM

    I refuse to wear them.  I don’t like the look one bit.

  12. frahbrah says

    February 2, 2012 at 7:14 AM

    GDI…

  13. Jessy Diamond says

    February 2, 2012 at 7:16 AM

    Those GAP herringbone trousers would have been nice if they were…You know…Trousers, not cargo pants.

  14. Gioforeal says

    February 2, 2012 at 7:24 AM

    Kilts with cargo pockets!D&G are already looking into it…

  15. The Deke says

    February 2, 2012 at 7:42 AM

    Christ no.  Purpose built cargo pants have their place, but trying to make them fashionable?  Just…no

  16. miketramontano says

    February 2, 2012 at 7:46 AM

    “hey guys look i found my old cargos!”

    no way

  17. Electrogent says

    February 2, 2012 at 8:08 AM

    You guys might like this… a frat in my hometown actually banned cargo shorts: http://bit.ly/xlfht4 — I wonder if they’d ban these as well.

  18. hornsup84 says

    February 2, 2012 at 8:20 AM

    Army rangers.  However, doubt these are military issue.

  19. hornsup84 says

    February 2, 2012 at 8:21 AM

    You must not have read the kilts post. Utilikilt!!!

  20. KG says

    February 2, 2012 at 8:25 AM

    Nope.

  21. Anonymous says

    February 2, 2012 at 8:25 AM

    Ugh. So terrible. I would rather someone wear old baggy cargos because you can just chalk it up to them being clueless or not giving a flip. If someone is wearing these it means they actually think it’s looks good. 

  22. Anonymous says

    February 2, 2012 at 8:29 AM

    Pretty horrible.   Now we can all look fashionable while taking a day hike!

  23. danw says

    February 2, 2012 at 8:40 AM

    Absolutely not.  Cargo pants have their place, like in the army or maybe on a safari.  And even though I loved my corduroy cargo pants in high school, they looked kind of ridiculous.  They add unnecessary bulk and draw onlookers’ eyes down, making you look shorter.  And then if you use the cargo pockets to actually carry anything (in high school, I could stuff 3-4 beer cans in each), the the natural line of the pants is completely distorted, making you look even more ridiculous.  Just let this style rest in peace.

  24. TW says

    February 2, 2012 at 8:46 AM

    Am anxiously awaiting the return of parachute pants…

  25. Alan Skinner says

    February 2, 2012 at 8:53 AM

    Ditto. There’s real utility in a set of cargo pants, but I relegate them to work duty rather than for being out and about. As for the slims… Waste of money at pretty much any price.

    FWIW, I’m also the guy who’s done projects around the house and actually carried a hammer in his carpenter jeans loop.

  26. Nick Kanner says

    February 2, 2012 at 8:55 AM

    military issue definitely isn’t “slim fit” 

  27. Ben E says

    February 2, 2012 at 9:01 AM

    I’m a forest firefighter in the summers, and spend a lot of time in cargo pants. They’re naturally not slim fit (by design), but they’re extremely useful, and truth be told, comfortable. However, they’re strictly for work, and they’re not stylish. I can’t get on board with the slim cargoes trend. Both of these GAP examples would look so much better without any flaps on the sides IMHO, i.e. not as cargoes.

    Cheers,
    Ben

  28. Cary Cameron says

    February 2, 2012 at 9:25 AM

    I see nothing wrong with them if you actually have use for the pockets. Sometimes – especially if you use public transit- you might have enough small items on you that your two normal pockets would be stuffed, but no enough to justify carrying a messenger bag. In that case the cargo pockets would come in handy. Having cargo pockets doesn’t mean the have to be stuffed to capacity.

    If you’re wearing them as strictly casual, “bumming around town” pants, they are fine.

  29. John Boyer says

    February 2, 2012 at 9:34 AM

    Ugh. Are these pockets even practical in slim fit form?

  30. Animosityclothing says

    February 2, 2012 at 10:15 AM

    Sorry GAP, you make incredibly comfortable and affordable slacks, but these miss the mark style-wise. 

  31. Johnny Holiday says

    February 2, 2012 at 10:17 AM

    No.

  32. Jackson says

    February 2, 2012 at 10:25 AM

     Whoa there. Yes, the slim cargo is an easy target, an affront to the sartorial sensibilities of style conscious Dappered readers everywhere, an abomination dredged from the dankest pit of fashion’s recylematronic, depraved, fad-fattened retail bowels. I get it. They suck. But allow me, if you will, the opportunity to come to the defense of these much maligned little trousers that could by sharing a tale of their inherent nobility and poise under circumstances that would see lesser trousers unravel in a heap of their own tailored finery.

    So, there I am, minding my own business on the internet, perusing the hallowed pages of Gap, when a pair of slim khaki cargo pants sidle their way into my basket on sale. Several days later, and I’m standing before my full-length mirror, admiring the clown-like quality of the fit and sheer stupidity of the concept and my own gullibility when, all of a sudden, I realize today is moving day. Disassembled and strewn everywhere about me are shelves and furniture and the various knicknacks, bric-a-brac and ephemera that make up my little slice of domesticity. But waht shall I do with all the screws and bolts and nuts and washers that hold all my shit together, I think to myslef. As if by providence, at that very moment my cargo’s pocket flaps rustle in the breeze, revealing twin storage pouches with the capacity to accomodate every item with room to spare. Never one to ignore fortune’s song, I instantly loaded those pockets and set about my work. And what work it was…

    While wrestling with an unruly armchair on the steps of my new home, I spotted a trio of lovely young women happening by. But I must look wretched, I thought to myself. Whatever will they think of their new neighbor, adorned so slovenly and festooned with so much sweat and grime? But as chance would have it, the wind carried their hushed whispers to where I labored. And what I heard surprised and elated my weary senses. “Who’s that totalitarian yet suave, unassuming yet striking, causual and easy-going yet sleek and put-together working man over there with the fine mist of exertion upon his firrowed brow and the tell-tale bulging thigh pockets of a hardware laden gentleman mid move,’ they asked each other. Jubilant and with renewed vigor, I smiled earnestly in their direction, adjusted my grip on the chair, and mounted the remaining steps two at a time.

    Two things have never happened since that fateful day. I have not since caught sight of those fleeting visions of feminine beauty, and nor have I once donned those cargo pants. Because, let’s face it, they’re silly and look ridiculous. They’re also covered in muck, grease and assorted moving detritus, so I can’t even return the bastards. They sit now in my closet, mocking me with the irreverent glee of the purely useless and the flatulent arrogance of the pointedly moronic. Oh yeah, so I suppose I’m with the consus on this one. 

  33. Ken says

    February 2, 2012 at 10:32 AM

    Never. Ughh, this almost ruined my day.

  34. The Deke says

    February 2, 2012 at 10:35 AM

    Bravo

  35. Aaron says

    February 2, 2012 at 10:42 AM

    No way in hell.  Cargo pockets are way too 1998 for my taste.  And those Dockers are skinny, not slim.

  36. Ricky Wong says

    February 2, 2012 at 11:08 AM

    Newbie to the whole men’s styling and asthetics and I guess somewhat of the lone wolf here. I actually picked up a pair of the Gap herringbone cargos for a stupid cheap price during the holidays ($15 final sale local store). They fit nice and I’ve received compliments from office colleagues and friends on them. Would I get another pair and continue the trend? Probably not.

  37. Hater Of Slim Cargo Pants says

    February 2, 2012 at 11:18 AM

    No, no, no, no.  I hate this with a passion.  Why is this catching on?

  38. mixto says

    February 2, 2012 at 11:28 AM

    ah you mean those baggy cargo pants with caterpillar and  2″ thick cell phones…yeah those were the days 😉

  39. Christian Rodriguez says

    February 2, 2012 at 1:07 PM

    I’m gonna go against the grain here and say that a pair of cargos is not only stylish if the fit is right. Its also pretty essential if you work in the casual office business setting. I don’t understand where all the hate is coming from. Of course I’m not talking about all the cargo pants above. But a nice pair of soft cotton cargo has looked better than most regular fitting gap/dockers khaki out there. Maybe it’s because I’m a big fan of the Japanese style. And they’ve pretty much mastered the tailored cargo pants look to perfection. But everyone keeps swearing they’re Satan’s pants but they don’t give a solid argument as of why they’re so terrible.

    Everyone has different tastes and I know they come and go with the times, but why does everyone think they’re so terrible?

  40. Confucius says

    February 2, 2012 at 2:36 PM

    haters gonna hate

  41. hornsup84 says

    February 2, 2012 at 3:17 PM

    You, sir, must have a lot of free time.  However, I’m glad you chose to write this post.  Well done.

  42. Derek says

    February 2, 2012 at 3:29 PM

    Nope. No no no no no. No. Do not want.

  43. Derek says

    February 2, 2012 at 3:32 PM

    Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but…essential in the casual office business setting? How?

    (I’m not sure what a “casual office business setting” is, do you just mean a “casual office”? Or do you mean a “business casual office setting”? Because my workplace is business casual, and I wouldn’t be caught dead in those pants. What are you using the extra pockets for that makes them so essential, carrying a crapload of Post-Its?)

  44. John3 says

    February 2, 2012 at 3:34 PM

    Dammit NO! Cargo pants have their place in camping or working outside where their terribly baggy pockets that hang off your legs serve a purpose. That’s it. But if you disagree, and you are going to wear cargo pants, then just wear cargo pants! What are you going to fit in those tiny pockets that you can’t fit in the pockets of a pair of chinos or jeans? Those slim fit cargos are bad. The slim fit herringbone need to be killed with fire. Awful. 

  45. Derek says

    February 2, 2012 at 3:34 PM

    As I was reading it, I thought, “7/10, grammar and spelling mistakes and I think a misuse of ‘totalitarian’,” but then I got to the end. Bravo, as the other guy said.

  46. Derek says

    February 2, 2012 at 3:35 PM

    “I see nothing wrong with them if you actually have use for the pockets. Sometimes – especially if you use public transit- you might have enough small items on you that your two normal pockets would be stuffed, but no enough to justify carrying a messenger bag. In that case the cargo pockets would come in handy.”

    Regular pants have four pockets, not two (at least mine). And there’s always the option of a jacket pocket!

  47. Derek says

    February 2, 2012 at 3:37 PM

    A unanimous vote, no less. I love it.

  48. Dolina says

    February 2, 2012 at 4:32 PM

    Slim cargo pants can be worn well. http://www.thestyleblogger.com/5376/1-piece3-ways-slim-cargos/

  49. Jonathan Spacely says

    February 2, 2012 at 5:19 PM

    Gross. No. 

  50. Pags says

    February 2, 2012 at 5:28 PM

    Ordinarily, no. But I wouldn’t be too embarrassed to be caught in those GAP charcoals at top left.

  51. Christian Rodriguez says

    February 2, 2012 at 5:45 PM

    I meant to say business casual setting, it was a mistype. I worked at a casual workplace for a while. And although it was very casual, it was still an office. That’s mainly what I’m talking about. The guys out there who are IT or things of the sort that can’t bring themselves to wear something else other than jeans and a t-shirt to the workplace. And are just now trying things like khakis and cords. But won’t ever try wool trousers or sportcoats or suits. That’s the guys who I’m talking about.

    And like I said before, other than the Dockers slim fit, neither one of them would qualify. The one’s that the style blogger has as Dolina pointed out, are cool too. With a chambray shirt and a navy sportcoat (preferably unstructured) would look great.

  52. Jwedel1231 says

    February 2, 2012 at 6:17 PM

    my thoughts exactly.

  53. Tergiversator_Maximus says

    February 2, 2012 at 6:30 PM

    I used to carry whatever book I was currently working on in my cargo pockets in high school.  I remember when the cargoes then got ridiculously detailed and had all sorts of silly straps and whatnot. (Edit – not that I ever wore those punk-esque cargoes… I kept to simpler ones.)

  54. Cary Cameron says

    February 2, 2012 at 10:12 PM

     Well you’re right about the four pockets. But I personally try to store the minimal amount of stuff in my back pockets because it can prove uncomfortable to sit with a lot in them. In addition packing front pockets makes everything look lumpy. Displacing some small items into the cargo pockets looks better and is a lot more practical for me.

    And I live in a tropical climate, for most of the year Jacket = heatstroke once your outside. So yeah, still practical for me.

  55. Guest says

    February 3, 2012 at 12:11 AM

    eww

  56. Mister Aitch says

    February 3, 2012 at 1:11 AM

    No Way Jose

  57. Anonymous says

    February 3, 2012 at 8:57 AM

    http://edge.ebaumsworld.com/mediaFiles/picture/2065501/81751531.jpg

  58. Anonymous says

    February 3, 2012 at 9:03 AM

    http://edge.ebaumsworld.com/mediaFiles/picture/2065501/81751531.jpg

  59. Anonymous says

    February 3, 2012 at 10:08 AM

    If there’s “slim” in the name, it’s always “no” for me.  It’s the body I have, girly man, and your girlfriend cargos aren’t gonna make it.

  60. Jonsewell says

    February 3, 2012 at 10:21 AM

    Yeah, I have to wear “tactical” pants for my job sometimes as well, which are basically glorified cargo pants taken to the next level with even more pockets. But they really are useful, and they really are comfortable. Interestingly, I tend to wear a brand that looks slightly more trim, or at least not quite as baggy as usual.

    Now, I am under no illusion that they look “good”, by any means, and I certainly don’t wear them for fashion. But without fail, every time I wear them I tend to get at least one a compliment on them from female friends, girls who certainly know that cargoes for fashion are best left in the past. So hey, maybe the makers above know something we don’t? (Though even while the ones I wear are slightly more cited, they look nothing like the examples here)

  61. Derek says

    February 3, 2012 at 11:07 AM

    It’s a nitpicky issue, but if you can wear jeans, it’s not business casual, it’s just casual. Business casual = slacks, leather shoes, but polos are acceptable. No t-shirts.

  62. Cynic_boy says

    February 3, 2012 at 8:33 PM

    I bought a pair from Levi’s on a whim for $15 @ Winners (similar to TJ Maxx). Regular price was $130. I use the pocket to carry my phone, since I live in Canada this is a lot easier than unwrapping the multiple layers I am swaddled in to try and get it out of my jacket before it stops ringing.

  63. Dan Lothringer says

    February 7, 2012 at 11:01 PM

    Brunello Cucinelli wears them with a blazer.  That’s not to render an opinion, just to say what Man has done, man can do.

  64. Mark says

    February 8, 2012 at 6:31 PM

    Yeah, man, I’m with you. I lived in the tropics for 2.5 years, btw, and the only thing that was remotely comfortable to wear was floppy cargo shorts.

    And even apart from that, yeah, I won’t put stuff in my back pockets. It’s always uncomfortable to sit down to me.

  65. Teenyjonbenet says

    February 11, 2012 at 9:53 PM

    Well, to the defense of the slim or skinny fit cargos: I am a registered nurse and have been shopping for pants that basically make my ass look better (it’s skinny) and fit my chicken legs without flopping in the breeze, yet hold pens, a stethescope, scissors, bandages, etc. And you know what, critical people? These skinny fit GAP cargos were THE perfect answer. I am on the job, dressed to work, but want to try to at least look a little more fashionable than flimsy scrubs draped over my skinny frame. So guess you might reconsider.

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