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Whether you like it or not, cargo trousers are officially back. It girls across the globe have been seen in the divisive look—Rihanna, Dua Lipa, Emily Ratajkowski, Hailey Bieber, and Gigi and Bella Hadid are all fans—which suggests the trend is here to stay for the foreseeable future.
Cargos were originally created for British military personnel, and as a result became linked to hands-on professions in which functionality is prioritized over style (see the multitude of convenient pockets). However, in the Noughties the trousers became a stylish wardrobe essential, thanks to girl groups like TLC, All Saints, and Destiny’s Child.
Fast forward to the here and now, and buzzy brands like Tom Ford, Blumarine, Diesel, Balmain, and Dion Lee have shown iterations of cargos on their runways. But it’s the endorsement from girls like RiRi, Dua, and Bella that has fast-tracked the trend to the forefront of everyone’s minds. Whether worn casually with trainers and a cropped white T-shirt, or dressed up with embellished pumps and crystal chandelier earrings, the much-maligned trousers are nothing if not versatile.
