Cargo Chic

I'll be the first to admit that I rocked a pair of cargo pants in the seventh grade, and thought I was totally "in" with my wardrobe. Thank god my seventh grade baggy cargos (with hammer loop!), wouldn't fit the bill with this years trend...incredibly un-sexy. This season, slim is in and hammer loops are for construction workers only.

Check out these flirty, feminine cargo looks on Leighton and Victoria.

{Leighton Meester in AG Adriano Goldschmied, image via Lucky}

{Victoria Beckham, image via Instyle}

One of the reasons that I'm embracing the cargo trend is that I'm in desperate need of a jean substitute these days, especially now that the weather is getting chilly. I wear denim more days a week than I care to admit and now there is finally a pair of pants that is just as versatile as my dark-wash toothpick ankle jeans. And I love the fatigue-green color and how it's plays off the oh-so-in military trend. Here are a few versions on the pricier end. 

{The celeb favorite, AG Adriano Goldshmied Slim Sateen Cargo, about $200, found on Piperlime}

Love the moto-cross style stitching under the knees on this pair!

{Current/Elliott The Skinny Cargo Pant, about $250, found on Piperlime}

The ankle zippers on this (more affordable) pair are a great detail!

{Free People Skinny Military Pants, about $100, via Piperlime}

Now I don't want to toot my own horn.....but I had THE most gratifying day of shopping yesterday that I have ever had in my life. Not only did I pick up 2 pairs of boots for under $150 combined (a post about those is coming later!), but I found the best pair of skinny cargos for a price that allowed me to treat myself to lunch after....Penne Rosa at Noodles & Co., whoop whoop.

Now I have a very specific lower-body (read: big butt), and it's important to make sure that there are actual pockets on the back of my pants. The little slash pockets straight across the top of my cheeks just aren't flattering....at all. So I needed to find a pair of skinny cargos that satisfied my need to camouflage my rear end. 

Enter......The Cargo Jegging from American Eagle Outfitters!

Now I know what you're thinking, and I couldn't believe it either. I found the perfect pair of skinny cargos in a store that I haven't set foot into since 2001. But sometimes finding a great deal means looking in the most unexpected places. 

These pants have so many great details....the moto-cross stitching under the knees, perfectly-proportioned side pockets, ankle zippers.....and ass-minimizing back pockets, all for only $60! 

Hallelujha!

Plus, the super-light cotton & spandex blend fabric makes the pants thin enough that I can roll up the bottoms (even with the zippers!) and wear them cuffed with my grey oxford booties.

Can you tell I'm excited?