I saw these recently on a 50-something woman (slim rectangle with short sassy hair style) at a meeting last month and she looked great in them. Her’s were most like the first pair…a light tan, very streamlined pockets that didn’t stick out from the leg and slightly shorter and less gathered at the knee than the ones pictured. I think she wore wedge strappy sandals with them.

I just bought some of these in olive green on sale at Zara! They caught my eye because I had bought a cream silk blouse from BR, and I was trying to go for a whole, “romantic safari” look. They are very comfortable, and much cooler than denim clamdiggers.

I’m not sure that I would wear them in any other way than I already have, because it probably wouldn’t be a smart enough look for me, but I’ll have to think about it. Thanks for recommending this other option to clamdiggers!

That totally makes sense and totally explains why I can’t wear them. Onward with the skirts.

I like the look of these on other people but when I have tried them they really made my legs look short(I think I am a slender hourglass with a long torso). So although I am craving more alternatives for summers in the south, I will have to pass on these…

While I was relegating my cargos to very casual, I now think I could wear them for hot park days with my kids if I pair them with a smarter top. I see that the hemline is slim so I’ll try cinching the drawstrings for a closer fit.

I certainly don’t want to look sloppy even if going to the park or grocery store. And Ana is right, the cargos are cooler than denim.

As a racy rectangle, bet you’d look great in these, Joy.

Ana is an hourglass who tends towards an inverted triangle. She does not have curvy thighs which is why she wears a cargo clam well. Let’s see a picture on the forum, Ana.

Mamark and Anita, your reasoning for not feeling fab in this look makes perfect sense. Summer skirts and frocks for you :0)

How fitting! I found a pair of these this past weekend at the REI Garage Sale! They were $15 instead of the listed price here:
http://www.rei.com/product/778091
I’m a pear, but was quite pleased with the look on me. I can imagine a graphic tee and a denim jacket. Maybe I’m deluded because it seems like pears and hourglass shapes got an emphatic “no” from you. I’ll have to post pictures. I got them primarily for my outdoor activities this summer.

I am a pretty pear and learned quickly that this look does not work for me. But I do admire (and slightly envy) those who can sport it.

I am so glad to see these listed, as I am on maternity leave and have been clocking a lot of time at the park. Just got a pair a few weeks ago and feel like I need more.
Angie, what is your suggestions for pairing (on top) to make it feel stylish at the park, yet appropriate when you have to make a quick jet to U Village afterwards? Also, any terrifically comfortable, casual sandals this season, to top them off?

I’m so glad to see this entry, as I am on maternity leave and clocking many hours at the park! I got a pair of these (casual) and have been wearing them a ton.
Angie, any suggestion for pairings (on top) to keep it stylish at the park, while appropriate for when you have to run down to U Village (or other errands) afterwards? Also, any terrific, comfortable sandals this season, to wear with?

Angie, I am glad you approve! I had a pair last summer (similar to number 2 above) that are unfortunately too big for me this year so I am looking to replace. I wore them last summer with a fun floral cami, denim jacket and sandals.

I love this style, and hate that I can’t wear it. My old roommate from uni (rectangle) used to wear this look all the time in the summer, but whenever I borrowed them it would never work for me (pear), even though we’re the same size. Sigh. I suppose I must be content with dresses, too (but I have been collecting some lovely ones this year;).

Hmmm. I adore my cargo crops and wear them often … but as a pear gal, maybe I need to reexamine my silhouette in ‘em!

I’m wearing a pair of these right now! I love them for casual wear (mine wouldn’t work for smart casual). I usually wear them with a leather sandal and a close fitting top. Yay, finally something that looks good on an inverted triangle!

Are they okay to wear if you have slightly muscled legs? I have big calves and I’d love to buy these.

Meream, I have big calves too. I’m wondering if mine are apparently working because they are right at the knee and not right below?

I have two pairs of these cargo clamdiggers that I LOVE to wear in the summertime (one pair is off-white, and the other pair is khaki beige in colour). They’re cool and chic at the same time.

I notice that the models are all wearing them just under the knee. Should this be where clamdiggers fall for all body types? Or would it differ by body type/height?

For a petite slim hourglass figure (5ft 3 inches), any advice on the perfect clamdigger length?

Oh, I have a pair of these that I was about to toss, but just a few days ago I had second thoughts and rummaged through my “to donate” pile and brought them back out. Glad I did! I didn’t realize they were cargos though. I think technically they are not since they do not have cargo pockets anywhere. I usually referred to them as pedal pushers.

Mine are black and I would love to wear them with a girly ruffled top, except my only girly ruffled top is black as well. I just like that contrast but I guess until I find a suitable ruffled top, I’ll have to experiment more with it now.

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/30.....2&P=12

I bought these on sale and wore them over the weekend. I wore them with a fitted Sweetpea camisole top and I felt comfortable in them on my boyish shaped body. When I put on my new slouchy cardigan I didn’t feel so fab anymore.
These cargo pants do run big IMO, so you may want to size down if you buy them. Have any of you found the same to be true?

I love them and wear them all the time in different ways when the weather is warm. Much more flattering than shorts!

I probably have these kinds of summer eesentials most. I am a pear but have been able to find flattering fits-usually the kind with not flap pockets to draw attention to the area

Love this post and love cargo clams! Especially when pared with girly items, like strappy sandals or flowy ruffly tops.

As a triangle/pear(with wide hips and smallish thighs), these don’t suit me that well. It seems the extra pockets near the hips make my hips more out of proportion to the rest of my body. I have been searching for the right pair with minimal pockets, but until then I will admire them on others:)

I would love to get a pair of these and have tried several pairs, including the ones on the left. Unfortunately, they all seem too long on me. (For some reason the BR petite cargos are the same inseam as the regulars!) What do you think, Angie, could I pull off a longer length in this style? They usually hit right at the bottom of my calf and I could maybe have an inch taken off but no more because of the pockets. What about with heels?

Angie, is it the cargo pockets that make this style tricky for those with curvy thighs? Or is it the taper to the knee? I’m having a hard time visualizing why these are harder to pull off than clamdiggers, bermuda or walking shorts.

I have another question. I cannot tell what makes the pair on the left more dressy? Can you point out what that is?

Looks like the fabric is what makes the difference. The pair on the right almost look like sweatshirt fabric, judging by the waistband tie, although I could be wrong.

These are super cute, I like to dress them up:)

Taylor is spot on, San. Whether this look is casual or dressy lies in the integrity of the fabric. The style from BR is made of a dressier rayon-linen which is why it’s worn with heels. The other two styles are crinkle twill and terry, both very casual fabrics. I hope that makes sense.

Elika, I love this look dressed up too. It’s counter intuitive I know, but I like the antithesis of a casual style sported in a dressy fabrication.

Karen, a knitted banded top, or mock wrap would work. A sleeveless tank top in fabulous quality paired with gladiators would be another. As for comfy sandals, the Brulees have been killer. I wore them for 8 hours today, charging around town with a client. HEAVEN!

http://youlookfab.com/2009/03/.....or-sandal/

Meream, these would look just fine with shapely calves.

I have not seen these styles work on lasses with curvy thighs. The side entry pockets whisker across the thigh, and the cargo pockets themselves are like huge spotlights on an area that you want to keep streamlined. Very unflattering. The simple lines of basic clamdiggers work better because 5-pocket denim styling is streamlined. Hardly any whiskering. Sarah, if they work for you, this might because you are straighter on the thigh than you think.

Theresa and Patience, the models are sporting the perfect clamdigger length – some a little longer than others. Wearing cropped pants any longer than shown, especially when they are wide at the hem, is VERY leg shortening. Heels won’t always do the trick. Look at these models. Not so fab:

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/30.....rchresults

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/30.....rchresults