The Epic History of Cargo Pants

Despite all the controversy surrounding cargo pants – are they or aren’t they acceptably stylish? No one can deny that cargo pants are the reigning champion in terms of comfort. But where do they come from? We thought that fellow cargo-lovers would enjoy learning about the origins of this revolutionary development in fashion.

Cargo pants date back to 1938 when they were worn by British military personnel. They formed part of their Battle Dress Uniform, featuring one pocket on the side by the thigh, and another at the front by the hip. Side pockets were initially included for paratroopers who had to have ammunition and radio on hand. Quite the badass history for pants that now seem quite commonplace.

With a starting point in the military, cargo pants showed up again in the 1990s when they became popular thanks to being worn by urban hip-hop performers. This made cargo pants appealing to mainstream markets that suddenly stocked cargo pants in all the well-known stores for men and women. And this gave rise to an explosion of cargo variations – in softer fabrics and colors, such as silk. Cargo quickly pants came to dominate the 90s.

While they may not be as popular as they were then, cargo pants still feature in most stores because they are both comfortable and functional. For men with physically demanding jobs, cargo pants offer everything you need. They look professional, wear well, and have useful pockets that really come in handy.

At Kolossus Workwear, we stock cargo pants in several designs to meet the needs of working men. You can choose from our selection by clicking here and start wearing comfort and utility at the same time!