It’s time to get over your cargo-pants-and-t-shirt days.

We’re talking about pairing them with more than just a plain t-shirt and some sneakers. We’re talking about going all out, with a long sleeve top that has a cool design or pattern, but is still casual enough to wear with those pants.

You can do it! You might be thinking: “but cargo pants are so ugly.” But we say: “no way!” You don’t have to think of them as something you only wear for work—they can be totally fashionable and cool, too.

Here are some tops that will make you want to get out of your sweats and put on some cargo pants instead:

A graphic tee with some cool designs—like skulls or stars or whatever else you feel like rocking at the moment—will look great with your cargo pants. Add some sneakers, maybe even some socks if you’re feeling wild, and you’ll be ready for anything!

With a leather jacket

For a cool urban outfit, wear cargo pants with a leather jacket.

what jacket to wear with khakis pants
Photo by Dalton Smith on Unsplash

A leather jacket is a must-have, because this wardrobe staple is timeless and can be styled with all kinds of bottoms, dresses and jumpsuits too. Among the bottoms that look great with leather jackets are cargo pants.

This is an effortless combination that will have you ready to step out in a short time.

With a statement blouse

If you want to dress up your cargo pants, wearing them with a statement blouse will make it an easy outfit for going out.

A blouse is always so feminine and is a must-have for a lady, whether you go for a simple one or a more outstanding blouse. They are normally great for office settings, but can also work for any casual occasions when you want to look polished without being formal.

Since the cargo pants are tapered at the ankle, the best shoes for this outfit is the same color shoes. This will avoid your legs looking cut off and make you look taller.

cargo pants outfits
Featuring Kristyna, 

Krystyna (above) styled her cargo pants with a statement blouse that has a bow, and completed the look with a pair of boots.  

With a white button-down

A white button-down shirt is a timeless and classy wardrobe staple that can be styled with literally anything you can think of. It instantly elevates an outfit, especially if the look is very casual, for example, if it involves some jeans, khakis, or cargo pants.

This look may look relaxed, but it’s a combination that can easily make it to a dressier environment including work on casual Fridays.

cargo pants outfit ideas
Featuring Emily, 

Emily (above) looked amazing in her white button-down tucked into her cargo pants. She finished off this look with some boots.

With a white t-shirt

what top to wear with khakis pants
Featuring Katie,

A white tee can dress up or dress down your cargo pants.

A white t-shirt is a must-have for everyone. Just like a white button-down shirt, it goes with everything you own. It’s comfortable and works well with both casual looks and dressier ones.

It’s the best combination for a person who’s a fan of minimalism.

With a bomber jacket

While most of the time a cargo pants outfit is very laid back and casual, a coat such as a bomber jacket will make the look chic. If you’re not the biggest fan of prints then you could wear your cargo pants outfit with a plain bomber jacket instead.

With a graphic t-shirt

what to wear with cargo pants
Photo by Nathan Van de Graaf on Unsplash

Wearing a graphic t-shirt with cargo pants is is a great means of self-expression through clothes.

Speaking of clothes that make a statement, a graphic t-shirt does exactly this. They can be styled with cargo pants to give you a cool and laid back outfit. This combination is suitable for different women of different sizes and figures who love a great casual outfit now and then.

For this look, a pair of ankle boots or sneakers will give you the same effect.

With a plain t-shirt

what to wear with cargo pants
Photo by Brian Wangenheim on Unsplash

This is the easiest cargo pants outfit that works for women of all age.

Plain t-shirts are great to have, because you can wear them with all kinds of pants especially if the t-shirt is in neutral colors such as black. They allow your pants to stand out, especially if these pants come with a bit of an extra design such as cargo pants.

This is a monochromatic look, but you can always wear a different color of t-shirt and cargo pants. The key to having different colors of these pieces looking great is to ensure the colors work well together.

With a sweatshirt

You can wear your sweatshirt with cargo pants for the laid back look.

A sweatshirt is comfortable and casual, making it great for lounging indoors. When styled right, they can be worn outdoors too.

Even though both the sweatshirt and the cargo pants are staple pieces for the weekend, you can dress up this look and make it very chic. All you need to do is to throw on a pair of feminine footwear such as stilettos or strappy heels. To finish the look, you can also add some classy accessories such as a clutch bag.

what to wear with cargo pants
Featuring Anna,

Anna (above) wore her cargo pants with a hooded sweatshirt.

With a faux fur coat

Coats in general can dress up a cargo pant outfit, but a faux fur type deserves a mention of its own considering how fashion-forward they are.

A faux fur coat not only keeps you warm, but it also makes you look like you’re just about to step out for a fashion event. They can be worn with your cargo pants to make the pants look more out of the ordinary but in a good and stylish way.

Anyone can pull this look off just as long as you get the fit right. This combination is great for fall and winter months.

With a denim jacket

Since denim jackets are versatile, they can easily be worn with your cargo pants for a casual day out.

Denim jackets are easy to wear, and the best part about them is that they work in all seasons of the year, whether it’s hot or cold. They also suit anyone and give you that easy laid back look.

You can wear a cropped denim jacket, if your cargo pants are more high waisted. This isa look that also allows you to wear heels, stilettos and other different types of shoes because of how simple it is.

cargo pants outfits inspiration
Featuring Tammy

Tammy (above) styled her cargo pants with a white t-shirt, a denim jacket and a pair of white ankle boots.

With a printed top

If wearing cargo pants with solids sound a bit too plain, you always have the option of some trendy printed top.

There are several prints around, for example stripes, florals, animal prints and many others. They are known to add an interesting touch to an otherwise (possibly) boring outfit.

Gege (above) wore her white cargo pants with a striped long sleeved top and some converse. While her pants are easy to style because they are white, you could also go for a black pair or even brown for the same effect.

With a cropped top

best khakis pants outfit for women
Photo by Brian Wangenheim on Unsplash

Throwing on a cropped top with your cargo pants is one of the easiest outfits especially for warmer or even hot days.

A tank top is a great alternative to t-shirts, considering how minimalist they are. They can also be layered under outerwear, if it’s cooler outside. You can wear your cargo pants with a tank top tucked in, and finish off the look with heels, sandals or sneakers.

If your pants do not come with their own belt, you can always accessorize with the belts that you have.

With a cami

khakis pants outfits for women
Featuring Katie, 

Compared to a tank, another sleeveless option that you can go for is a cami. Wearing cami with cargo pants is a great summer outfit for any occasion.

This is lot more feminine than the other casual tops. They often look delicate, especially if you go for one that’s in silk. They can be worn with cargo pants to make the look more polished, whether you tuck the cami in or leave it untucked.

It’s a casual outfit that looks more dressed up because of the silk fabric of the cami and the slides too.

With a cardigan

If it’s still not too cold outside to wear those heavy coats, then a cardigan is a great option for outerwear to style with your cargo pants. Cardigans are cute and snuggly and give you that girl-next-door look.

Different types of cardigans will work with your cargo pants and you can button the cardigan up or leave it unbuttoned, worn over a tank top or t-shirt.

cargo pants style ideas
Featuring Lorelie, https://www.instagram.com/ms.simplisticated/

Lorelie (above) wore a pair of cargo pants with a white cardigan buttoned up. It’s a great look that not only makes the cargo pants outfit look cute and girly but is also easily flattering.

With a vest

If you’re going to be stepping out in a pair of cargo pants then you should consider adding a vest to the outfit.

A vest makes for a great last piece to crown your entire outfit. They come in different styles ,from those with collars to those without. Vests are also available in different fabrics including denim and faux fur, just to mention a few.

With a pullover

olive pants outfit

A pullover sweater is a comfortable piece of clothing to wear with any casual pants. It can also be very stylish, and one of the ways to achieve an interesting look with your sweater is to style it with cargo pants.

You don’t always have to go for a completely plain sweater as a printed one will also look great if your pants are plain.

With a cable knit sweater

what to wear with khakis pants

Still on sweater, you have many options when it comes to what to wear with the cargo pants. Cable knit sweater is a fall staple, and they are nice way to add some warmth and style to your outfit.

Since most cable knit sweaters tend to be on the chunky side, this outfit will typically look causal. A nice way to add an elegant touch to this look is to wear a pair of lady like shoes like the suede pumps.

With a blazer

To elevate your style with the cargo pants outfit, top it off with a blazer.

It’s advisable for a woman to own a few blazers, as they instantly dress up any look, whether casual or dressy. You can wear them with skirts, dresses, jumpsuits, jeans or even cargo pants for a casual chic look.

Picking neutral colored blazers is a great way to go if you’re not particularly into the suit-like style.

With a turtleneck

Wearing cargo pants with turtle neck can add the right amount of sexiness to the otherwise basic outfit.

Turtlenecks are great for showing off a great figure without revealing too much, because it hugs the top part of your body without showing cleavage. When you wear it with the cargo pant, they give you a well-balanced look.

It’s a simple combination that does not require too much accessorizing. If you go for a plain turtleneck top, you can always accessorize it more. A good option is to add some pendant necklaces, if you want to keep it minimal.

With a simple top

best tops for khakis pants

Aside from a plain t-shirt, you should also invest in a couple of plain tops, which look great with cargo pants.

This outfit works for those days that you really want to look just a bit dressier and a t-shirt just won’t do. They look chic when styled with a pair of cargo pants, because they are simple and also let your cargo pants stand out.

You can style a plain black top with a pair of cargo pants and some black ankle boots. It’s a minimalist look that allows you to accessorize a bit more or to pick fancier footwear.

With a plaid shirt

plaid shirt is a fall favorite. It is one of those pieces that give you that great 90s look and can have you looking grungy easily. While they’re mostly worn with jeans, you can wear them with a pair of cargo pants too.

These 21 ideas on what to wear with cargo pants should encourage you to try wearing cargo pants a bit more. Try them sometime!

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

three × 3 =

Scroll to Top