Having just moved to Los Angeles from NYC, I've been spending my weekends exploring my new city. Last Saturday—a sunny day in May—I took an Uber over to Brentwood Country Mart, a red, barn-shaped shopping center dotted with luxury fashion and beauty retailers, cute cafes and farm-to-table eateries. It's known to be frequented by celebrities and, as I witnessed, some very fashionable people.
Somewhere between getting my second iced coffee of the day and sampling the skincare at Goop, I began to notice something: green utility pants. That's the second—no, the fourth—pair I've seen so far! Given that I am a fashion editor who can't resist investigating a good trend, I shifted my focus from the racks to my fellow shoppers. Sure enough, green utility pants were everywhere. Worn with black flip-flops, white sneakers, brown Birkenstocks, tanks, tees and cardis, all by women who seemed to embody the idea of "laid-back chic." I couldn't help but have a flashback to the 2000s, when army-hued cargo pants were having such a moment that they were forever immortalized in the defining film of the era. "I saw Cady Heron wearing army pants and flip-flops, so I bought army pants and flip-flops."
Equal parts comfortable and functional, it makes sense that these bottoms are making a comeback for relaxed weekends around town. They've even gotten a stamp of approval from millennial icon Mandy Moore, who may have explained it best in a recent interview with PureWow: "The world feels chaotic, and I think in times like these, plugging into something that feels familiar and comfortable is just the way to go. It's what we're all craving right now. I, for one, am subscribing to that as well. I'm like, oh, I love, like, cargo pants and flip-flops..." See?
Now I have to say, I was relieved to see such a casual staple reigning supreme amongst these very cool women. Perhaps I could embrace West Coast style more easily than I thought—as could you. But if you, like me, cleared out those green cargo pants from your closet at least 15 years ago, worry not. I've found three great options to shop below, starting at $32.
