Khaki Malarkey: Where to find cargo pants that don’t cost a fortune
Photos: Claire Pepper
On the podcast this spring, Lucinda Chambers told me that cargo pants could be considered her signature piece, and that she has dedicated her life to finding the perfect pair. Well, I think I’ve come pretty close to finding pant perfection myself. These Khaki Malarkey cargo pants, bought last year from US workwear brand Stan Ray (M65 Cargo Pant in Drab Olive) are regularly on parade. My Stan Rays cost over a £100 but they are good for year-round manoeuvres and designed to be durable; meaning, I won’t be buying another pair anytime soon. The best place to find cargos that don’t cost a fortune is to look for army surplus at local markets, proper vintage shops, or on re-sale sites like Depop, Etsy (Ham Yard Vintage has some HERE and there’s a British army issue pair HERE) eBay. As a general pointer, I like an M59 Swedish cut or M65 American cut, in classic earthy colours, like khaki green, beige and navy.
Combat ready…
Cargo pants can be worn in a Casually Glamorous way. I’m more casual than glamorous in the first photo, this is how I wear utility pants at the weekend, when working from home or going for a relaxed Business Coffee. Adding a blazer, a silk shirt and heeled ankle boots or brogues, creates an outfit ready for everyday action.
For surplus-inspired style: Mango’s ‘cargo jeans’ in stretch cotton are available in four different colours and have a slim-leg shape, while Urban Outfitters has a couple of slouchier pairs available HERE and HERE. Other non-military cargos can be found at Baukjen, the brand’s Finn trousers are perennially popular, and Mint Velvet’s khaki utility tapered trousers come in three lengths (short, regular and long). Home of monastic, pared-down cool, Arket has chic, wool/cashmere navy cargo pants HERE and an army green viscose satin style HERE. My assistant, Helen, recently turned up in this streamlined pair from Zara, with a slightly higher fit on the waist and a slimmer leg, made from 100% ecologically sourced cotton. For a slim leg shape without the side pockets, J.Crew’s vintage straight, garment -dyed, stretch chino or Boden’s Richmond trousers in Broad Bean should do the trick.
More khaki-malarkey here:
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Discussion (23 Comments)
Whistles was the best place to buy trousers back in the Lucille Lewin days, I had several pairs (pinstripe, check, plain), wore them all the time at work. Jigsaw currently has a lovely olive green stretch wool ‘Paris slim fit’ trouser – it’s a wool blend (but 53% polyester and 43% wool). Might be worth checking out….And I do like the Boden Richmond trouser.
Try Community Clothing, Uniqlo and M&S for jeans.
Anna says:
Yes, I buy “relaxed slim” jeans at M&S, at a very reasonable price. They fit my expanding thighs and come in short length, making me feel comfortable and stylish enough. There are many styles if you’re tall and slim, but thought this might interest those of you who aren’t!
Kate says:
FOIL which is a New Zealand label do a rather excellent lightweight 7/8 pants called the “trapeze “…there is a cargo pant version in various colours including olive (which I am wearing as I type this) is like wearing tissue paper is that light but very flattering with wide flat elastic waistband. Thought the sisterhood should be made aware of this find for your next northern summer.
Boadicea says:
Oooh, love ’em! Several years ago two pairs of cargo pants, one teal, t’other dark brown, took me (and husband) from New York to San Francisco by road and rail without complaint, during a Golden Wedding trip – hence reference to my other half. I’m still wearing them along with others I’ve picked up since then. They are such good travellers and almost anything and everything worn ‘up top’ looks fine.
I agree with Mrs Tonia about your jackets. How I wish my charity shop forays would reveal such treasures. The first one looks especially top notch. And yes, a guide to reasonably priced jeans would be very useful. Ah, amend that to jeans that fit. Properly. Properly around the thighs, and don’t stick out because they’ve been pre-shaped. That’s why cargo pants are so user friendly, they might not fit in the accepted sense, but somehow that doesn’t matter as any of their sticky-out bits are soft and ‘easy’ and thus less, well, sticky-out. And that’s why I love ’em.
Maureen says:
I got my cheapo cargo pants in khaki from mountain warehouse men’s range. Great fit and hard wearing. Really pleased with them and a bargain. More comfy than jeans too
Lesley Somerville says:
Army surplus is the real deal if you can find it and ridiculously good value. I bought a couple of items at the Devon County Show this year, including some cargo-style camo shorts (for walking!). Not for the faint-hearted but so well made and durable, for only a tenner. Not the easiest way to shop but definitely worth a look if you’re ever at one of these type of events. I also found a fab khaki jacket at Broadway market (Hackney) last month, again a tenner. Have worn it a lot already, it will last a long time and is my kind of style so will never go out of fashion
Laurel Armstrong says:
Tried cargo pants on my 5’4″ frame and had a lovely laugh – my short legs don’t need added pocket details, however I do love the wear-ability of this kind of colour and fabric for our Canadian fall weather. I do like the way you style these casual pants and will shop my closet first to see what combinations I can create. Really striving not to buy more clothing items but if I do, I opt for ‘thrifting’ with one item in and one out. Have found some funky men’s tweed jackets lately and the challenge is how to wear them but ‘fem’ them up a bit. Love to play and enjoying being a less than conforming 70 year old.
Many thanks for your practical approach too!Mrs Tonia says:
Thanks to you Alyson and others for trouser and Jean suggestions. Will look into those.
Managed today to get some navy wide wale corduroy culottes/ Wideleg cropped trousers in Fat Face. I found them online and they looked like a perfect autumn garment. I enquired in my local shop since they were nowhere in sight. A helpful assistant produced a pair in navy, along with a marmalade colour, from an upstairs stock room. Affordable, warm and go really well with a navy wool pullover with Nordic fair isle design on shoulders. With riding style flat leather boots from my existing wardrobe should make an easy casual outfit. Not the perfect trouser but useful addition nonetheless.JoansGate says:
Here in Newport, Rhode Island, I would find cargo pants at the Army/Navy store downtown (yes, we have a downtown)! They look wonderful on you. However, I believe everyone has their signature “look.” Now that I’m retired at 70 y/o, I wear Jjill’s authentic slim fit jeans-they come in many colors, and work perfectly. In the summer, I’m at the beach; at nighttime, if going out, it’s a simple dress or walking/Bermuda shorts and a tie T-shirt. It all works. Thanks for making us think of our signature style, though. Interesting ideas from everyone, that I’ve read.
maudie says:
Alyson -HOW do you make dressed-down look so bloody glamorous! In both photos you look so insouciantly fab.
Saba says:
Striped T’s and olive-colored pants. This is all reminding me of Sonia Rykiel in the 1970s. Her pants were loose-fitting, no cargo pockets, but gorgeous and flattering. Striped T’s, of course, her signature.
Joanne Ryan says:
Hi Kate, I’m interested in the FOIL pants, I’m visiting New Zealand in a couple of weeks and will try to find them, do you know where they would be stocked? and any other interesting labels .
Cheers
Joannejudy says:
love the jacket and the pants ……on you……. I, like many post menopausal women have put on some weight south of my waistline and the last item of clothing I can wear is a pair of cargo pants.
Who am I kidding, not just south of the waistline.Jeanette says:
I have green cargo pants, very rarely wear them.
The green and blue outfit looks very suited to you as I see you in these posts.
I wouldn’t have thought to match them.
Thank you for shaking my thoughts on my wardrobe up and reconsidering items that may work for me.
JeanetteIsobel says:
I’m still on the lookout for khakis at my fave op shops, but no big pockets on the thighs for me, much as I love them on you, Alyson! I’d also like to copy your mix of striped top under floral shirt and navy jacket, because khaki/olive green with blues is a combination I never tire of.
Ah Alyson – decided to experiment with cargo’s as you look so ‘at ease’ in your’s. This is a brand new direction for me but generally I am up for anything and so – thanks Oxfam – found a brand new pair of (men’s) J Crew khaki malarkey trousers in a size too big and plan to have a play around with them. Would my Doc Marten shoes work okay with them?
Ooh good find, Maudie. I think DM shoes could work. I often wear my cargos with the Grenson ankle boots (first pic) so a chunky shoe is fine. Otherwise, try trainers or loafers.
Mary says:
Kuhl Splash pants are my go to for cargo pants. Fits my phone perfectly, great for travel. Also, cut for a woman so nice fit on waist and hips, but loose through the legs AND if you want, they can be rolled up and snapped for a more beachy look. Toss on a blazer and you’ve got a casual fun look. Good color options too. Love them.
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Thanks for these useful suggestions Alyson. To me the jackets and what you wear underneath really make the outfits.
I’ve been wearing olive chinos or linen trousers for months. A bit cold for them now. Army surplus style with leg pockets no good on someone of my size. How I wish I still had the pairs of stretch wool Whistles ones with a straight leg I wore in the 90s. Probably handed over to Oxfam. Would be glad to find something similar now. Will check out the styles you show here, any other suggestions for straight leg shaped trousers going into the winter months providing some warmth ?
Stretch wool is what l would really like. I have some in charcoal wool by Gerard Darel but not so keen on the very tapered ankle length right now. I tried recently in Gap to replace a worn out pair of Straight leg jeans in dark indigo. The only ones I could find in too faded denim had their hems hacked off with shears so I couldn’t add to the length. All mine I wear rolled up. Any guidance for jeans at an affordable, not designer price in the hundreds of pounds, would be welcome also.