How to Avoid Cargo Pants for Men Mistakes
What’s the use of cargo pants if you can’t wear your wide canvas or leather belts to hold them up?
Cargos should have solid, oversized belt loops that can accommodate any type of belt, especially your wide, rough belts.
I elaborated on why you should wear wider belts with casual pants in my belts for men tutorial.

Basically, besides looking more casual, these belts are often cheaper and tougher than narrower belts.
So oversized belt loops on your cargo pants will keep you from wearing out your expensive dressy belts while walking your dog or taking a hike.
The easy fix:
Make sure you can fit a wide belt (1-1/2″ or 3.9 cm) in the belt loops.
Mistake #2: The Wrong Size Cargo Pockets
Despite what you may have heard, size—of cargo pockets, that is—does matter.
No, seriously, pockets that are too big will make any cargo pants for men look way too sporty and juvenile …
… while too-small pockets can make cargos look overly dressy and posh.
Remember, we’re not going for sporty or sophisticated with these pants; we’re going for casual and laid-back.
The easy fix:
Choose cargo pants with modestly sized pockets that don’t have an expansion fold on the bottom edge.
These pockets will lie closer to your thigh and look more low-key.
Mistake #3: Skinny Cargo Pants for Men
Skinny cargo pants really defeat the whole purpose of wearing casual and comfortable pants.
I mean, isn’t the purpose of these wide leg trousers to be comfortable and loose-fitting?
For those who can pull it off, skinny-cut trousers are great—just not for cargo pants.
The easy fix:
If smart is what you’re looking for, and you’ve got the physique of a marathon runner, go for skinny chinos, khakis, or jeans—not cargo pants.
Otherwise, the best thing you can do is to choose ordinary, loose-fitting cargos.
Mistake #4: Too Many Cargo Pockets
It’s easy to understand the designers’ thinking on this:
‘If two cargo pockets are cool, 14 cargo pockets are totally rad!’
But rest assured, two cargo pockets are more than enough.
The easy fix:
Don’t take your chance on ‘hip’ and ‘cool’ cargo pant designs.
Instead, choose classic styles with two well-proportioned side pockets.