So, if you're going to wear pants that suggest that you'll be wading through swamps, walking through tall grass, and fending off ticks, snakes, bears, and other nasties, why would you want to be uncovered from the knees down?

I have seen several cargo pants that have a zip or buttons, so that people can turn the pants into shorts. Maybe this has helped path the way for cargo shorts. Although I think the main reason is the style has become more popular, like people wearing trench coats or short trench coats on non-rainy days.
Cargo shorts have a function too, people can put things in them, keys, pocket-knife, sunglasses/glasses case, etc.

Personally, I think adults should only wear shorts for sports, the gym, the beach, etc. not as general wear.

 

The idea behind cargo pants is that they have pockets to conveniently carry all the things that one needs when travelling in the wild - first aid kit, fishing line, pocketknife, compass, etc.

So, if you're going to wear pants that suggest that you'll be wading through swamps, walking through tall grass, and fending off ticks, snakes, bears, and other nasties, why would you want to be uncovered from the knees down?

I can't think of a piece of clothing more odious than cargo shorts, but it doesn't make much sense to view --and I hesitate to use this word in this context-- fashion in such functionalist terms. I don't suppose you wear your brogues in the boglands, do you? No more than you wear grenades on your trenchcoat's d-rings, I'd think.

 

(This might get moved to the Interchange...)
The idea behind cargo pants is that they have pockets to conveniently carry all the things that one needs when travelling in the wild - first aid kit, fishing line, pocketknife, compass, etc.

So, if you're going to wear pants that suggest that you'll be wading through swamps, walking through tall grass, and fending off ticks, snakes, bears, and other nasties, why would you want to be uncovered from the knees down?

The British army wore shorts in the tropic, jungles and rain forests at least until the 1950s. The Desert Rats and SAS in North Africa, later in Malaya. Not cargo shorts, but they were walking through tall grass, and fending off ticks, snakes, bears and other nasties uncovered from the knees down except for wool socks. I am not endorsing cargo shorts by any means

 

Cargo shorts are kind of anti-fashion, but I have to admit to wearing them causally. They're functional, and I can pull them off at my age.

 

their great for camping. and for kids. thats about it.

 

I wear cargo shorts when I'm hiking somewhere with little or no shade - rocky outcroppings, mountains, hills and the like - during hot weather. The pockets do come in handy.

Occasionally I'll wear them cycling.

Apart from functional use, I find them a bit bulky and inconvenient for other "shorts activities" like sports or hanging around the house in the summer; I wear traditional "chino" shorts (or whatever they're called) then.

That said, I can't say it bothers me when I see others wearing them around town.

DH

 

Cargo Shorts

Where they excel, is at sporting events where you need the front pockets to hold things. For this and so many other purposes they are the right garment to wear.

 

I admit to a cargo shorts addiction, and I have found some at Cabela's that are perfect. I've probably bought a dozen pairs over the years. Well designed, well made, essential for hiking and backpacking and fishing and catching a movie or going for ice cream or getting the oil changed. I'm not landed gentry, and dressing like I am doesn't fool anyone when I go to the store for milk.:icon_smile_big:

Shorts are incredibly practical in the bush, and the worse the terrain, the more practical they get. For one thing, they're cool in the heat. For another, if you're really going through muddy wet country, you don't have to worry about the legs of your pants being filthy and wet. If you're walking through thorn country, your pants will soon be torn to shreds anyway, so dispense with the legs and keep the part you need.

It's not what this forum is about, really, but cargo shorts are in fact very practical and comfortable and I'll always have a half dozen pair on hand. I'm talking about practical ones - not the costumey silly ones with useless tie straps hanging off of them.

 

So, if you're going to wear pants that suggest that you'll be wading through swamps, walking through tall grass, and fending off ticks, snakes, bears, and other nasties, why would you want to be uncovered from the knees down?

Well, me lad, as one who has grown up in a tropical clime oft wearing the aforementioned shorts, I would say you would rather have on shorts that let you see the leeches hanging on your leg, or centipede crawling up it, so you can take appropriate steps to get them off. With long pants, especially with centipedes, they tend to run up the inside, biting as they go, until they get to very sensitive places indeed.

 

I can't think of a piece of clothing more odious than cargo shorts, but it doesn't make much sense to view --and I hesitate to use this word in this context-- fashion in such functionalist terms. I don't suppose you wear your brogues in the boglands, do you? No more than you wear grenades on your trenchcoat's d-rings, I'd think.

If we don't view cargo shorts in functionalist terms, it gets even worse. Are plus-fours covered with bellowed pockets that no one uses the sartorial successor to jackets with dozens of non-functioning zippers?

 

I wear Cargo pants when I go fishing, I would go with many other options before being seen in cargo shorts for any other occasion.

 

their great for camping. and for kids. thats about it.

Or those in IT

 

Though I wouldn't wear cargo pants or shorts for an evening out, I do find them handy for working in the garden, running errands to the nursery or hardware store on the weekends, or hiking. I've also found them useful for large, outdoor daytime events (like 5ks) that I'm volunteering for. Practical and utilitarian...not fashion. Big different, IMO.

 

Cargo Shorts

Guilty as charged. I do wear them as they are quite functional on occasion. I spend some time shooting sporting clays when home. Houston being quite hot and muggy, my dress is a golf style shirt (with the embroidered gun club emblem), cargo shorts, and ankle high laced boots, and a wide brimmed Cuenca made Panama hat. Around my waist is my shell pouch.

The pockets on the shorts hold sunscreen, a micro cloth to clean my shooting glasses, extra earplugs, a handkerchief, and usually a few specialty shells (spreader loads usually), and a small brass rod to knock out stuck shells. So you see, the shorts are quite functional.

The dress is event specific, which is the way I usually dress. I wear a dinner jacket to opening night at the opera, I wear cargo shorts when shooting sporting clays. I do not wear cargo shorts to church services or dinner and like wise, I don't wear morning dress while riding my motorcycle!

I guess I am funny that way........

 

Move over cargo shorts....

Apparently, the new "in" thing for the casual male:

https://www.marksandspencer.com/gp/...ie=UTF8&node=73271031&m=A2BO0OYVBKIQJM&keywords=&mnSBrand=core&size=9&rh=&page=

Much more common in Europe than in Texas...don't know about the rest of the US...I finally broke down a purchased a pair...mine have cargo pockets as well...

 

What type of trousers are traditionally used for safari wear? Is it cargo trousers or combat trousers or something else?

Ive got a safari looking shirt you see and im not sure what or where to buy the trousers to suit my shirt which is sandy colour.

 

Cargo shorts work best when they are properly accessorized as shown here: https://www.landroverweb.com/Images/Land-Rover-South-Africa-Kruger.jpg

 

While I see the uses for cargo shorts, I prefer chino shorts.

 

I just came back from a department store and bought two pairs of cargo shorts, I felt I needed more shorts for when the hot summer approaches and they're slim relaxed too so they're not so tight.

 

I just came back from a department store and bought two pairs of cargo shorts, I felt I needed more shorts for when the hot summer approaches and they're slim relaxed too so they're not so tight.

Howard, I'll forgive you for resurrecting a ten-year-old thread about cargo shorts - the biggest sartorial punchline of the last decade - if you can explain to me what "slim relaxed" means?

(As for the next two fellas who posted, sorry, you're not forgiven. :devil

 

It's a cargo short love fest!

A typical dad in the suburbs will wake up on a Saturday morning knowing that at some point he's going to have to be carrying around pacifiers, tools for household fixes, maybe a kids water bottle, a to-do list, and probably tons of other stuff, likely all at the same time.

A specific example: he needs somewhere to put the mail when his three year old is begging for him to carry her back from the mailbox. (Ask me how I know)

Another use for slim cargo pants (non- expandable pockets) it's for cell phones. I find that it is more flattering and comfortable to have a cell phone on the thigh rather than a typical pants pocket.

Sent from my moto g(6) using Tapatalk

 

I have camo cargo shorts, used when I have to go stealth mode. I seriously do wear 'em around the house for chores, so I can carry everything I need with me, on a Saturday morning, like several cigars (Ashton Classic), lighter, cutter, pocket knife, back-up pocketknife and a beverage.

 

 

I am attempting to multi-task three things: a greenhouse construction, a hot sauce company to get into Amazon and garden to tend. This is one more task than I am honestly capable of multi-ing, especially since I live with no more help than a standard poodle. When staying within the confines of my micro-estate, cargo shorts have a great deal of practicality, especially with clip-on suspenders because the pockets are full of tools, seeds, fasteners, etc. Fortunately, the landscaping has grown up enough that the neighbors can't see me very well.

Leave the premises like this? I'll die first!

 

Cargo shorts are made for yard-work days for those of us that, of necessity, are wedded to our mobile phones, key rings etc. The pockets are handy. That is their only redeeming value. Personally, I never wear shorts in public unless I'm sweating like a farmhand in the yard--once or twice a year at a pool party.

 

Cargo shorts are made for yard-work days for those of us that, of necessity, are wedded to our mobile phones, key rings etc. The pockets are handy. That is their only redeeming value. Personally, I never wear shorts in public unless I'm sweating like a farmhand in the yard--once or twice a year at a pool party.

I wear shorts at home because I get bitten by bugs almost all the time, that is why I wear pants during the summer.

 

I would have thought by now cargo shorts would be hopelessly out of fashion and nobody would be caught walking out their front door in them but here in Los Angeles they are still all the rage. Costco still sells them so maybe that's why. Anyway, personally, I think if wearing cargo shorts prevents people from otherwise carrying a huge backpack everywhere then by all means let's encourage cargo shorts. I mean, really, why do so many people have these huge backpacks everywhere they go? Even older folks who probably aren't taking a full load at the local city college seem to have these huge backpacks that in a crowded space pretty much prevents anyone from moving around them. Why? What have they got in there they can't leave in the car or at home? The most I ever have on me at any given time is my phone, keys, and a money clip holding my license, debit card, and Visa card and a few $20's. I've never felt the need for cargo shorts and certainly not for a backpack that would be better suited for hiking the Grand Canyon rather then visiting the local movie theater or super market.