The appeal of cargo looks lies in their function, says Tom Julian, trend analyst for Fallon McElligott, a Minneapolis advertising and public relations agency. The term refers to clothing that's functional and filled with details that have their origins in uniforms worn in the military, skilled trades, sports and such professions as firefighting. You'll see reflective fabrics, industrial-strength zippers, toggle closures, grommets, Velcro fasteners, hidden plackets and hoods. And pockets galore. While not everyone wants a yellow jacket that looks like something you'd wear to fight a house fire, most people can use a pair of pants with an extra pocket or two.
Children can fill their pouches with treasures they find in the play yard.
Teens can carry their pagers, nail polish and handheld video games. Career types can wear them on the weekend, stashing their Palm Pilots and phones in the pockets. And there's another downside to cargos. But it's a small price to pay for such a big trend. The best part of cargo looks is how accessible they are.