Gang, get excited: Cargo pants are a major trend this Fall. I have loved, I mean L-O-V-E-D cargo pants since their first iteration in the early 2000s, when we’d wear them all super slouchy (like falling-off-the-hips-slouchy) with a lingerie-inspired cami. Bonus points if a sliver of belly showed. Remember? Then roughly 8 years later JBrand reintroduced them again but as skinnies (aka the “Houlihan”) and we were all MIND. BLOWN.
If I could do cartwheels in these heels, I would. Because this fall (roughly 8 years later again) JBrand’s Houlihans are back. (I swear my friend Amber never stopped wearing hers. Atta girl.)
One might argue that these cargo pants aren’t perfect. I’ll grant you that they are a *touch* too long on my 5’3″ self. A fact that was completely covered 8 years ago by those tall boots we all insisted on wearing. Even over ankle zippers(!?!). Therefore if you are shorter than I am, the Houlihans may not be your best bet. But in the grand scheme of life (take a seat – getting philosophical here), a *touch* of extra length is something that doesn’t keep me up at night, especially for a pant that machine washes so well. When nostalgia comes to play as hard as it did here, I’ll happily take ‘close enough’.
(I do wonder if I could shrink them in the dryer a bit…hmmm….)
So. Keep reading to see two of my favorite outfit combos for cargo pants. I have a date night version (I swear, the power of the cargo pant swells when flirty little tops and heels are involved), and an everyday version.
Let’s start with the date night version, just for fun. Heels and lipstick, and happy happy happy.
Cargo Pants + Flirty Top + High Heels + Messy Hair
The messy hair thing might be just me. I really need someone to teach me how to do a proper updo. In any case, one of the fun things about zippered pants (if they hit somewhere around your ankle bone), is that you can unzip them a bit for a different look. I find this trick works best with heels…
Outfit Details
top: Rebecca Minkoff Embroidered Top (40% off! There are a couple other fab tops on super sale right now – see shopping widget)
pants: JBrand Houlihan in Distressed Chrome (size 25 for reference – also in army green)
heels: Vince Camuto Barsha Lace-Up Heels (seriously so comfortable – I can actually walk in these, the heel isn’t overly high)
clutch: old, but I really want to upgrade to this Clare V clutch….or Sole Society’s much more affordable one
Stripes, Obviously
I’m totally obsessed with cargo pants and stripes. I love offsetting the boyishness of the combo with pretty flats, but sneakers also work here. Also, take note of the bum shots. That is one of the many reasons I’m so obsessed with the Houlihans. It’s a gooood bum.
Outfit Details
shirt: bought in France this summer (said with feigned nonchalance) but in case you don’t actually have a go-to striped tee, here are a few of my current favs:
pants: JBrand Houlihan in Distressed Chrome (size 25 for reference – also in army green)
shoes: Lace-Up Flats
bag: Rebecca Minkoff Julian (fringe is sold out, but the plain one is pretty fab, too)
sunglasses: Le Spec No Smirking Mirrored Sunglasses
Shop Cargo Pants
The Houlihans are obviously my favs, but there are a ton of other really solid choices. (And if the Houlihans ever come out for petites, I’ll let you know.)
Anyone else remember swooning over the Houlihans the first time around?
xo,
S
A big, HUGE thank you to Nordstrom for sponsoring this post! Imagine my glee when I discovered an opportunity to play around with an old favorite. As always, all thoughts, opinions, and product choices are my own. And readers, thank YOU for your continued support of The Mom Edit. It doesn’t go unnoticed, and is so very much appreciated.
photo credits: Redfield Photography – aren’t they fantastic? Had so much fun shooting with Marisa. Such a seriously talented couple. (Thanks for the reco, Amanda!! x0)
