Plus Size Petite Cargo Pants

Cargo pants aren't all baggy anymore, and they come in all shades. Since some are designed to give you a sleek appearance, don't fret over the possibility of adding extra poundage with the pockets, zippers, and buttons that define cargos.

Wear Plus Size Petite Cargo Pants

The ever-present question is, how do petite gals wear casual pants without looking shorter? They don't go with traditional heels very easily and there's all that "stuff" poking out on the sides of cargos to draw the eye outward rather than upward. Here are some tips on finding your ideal pair of cargos—and what keeps them ideal once you start to accessorize.

The Cut

The best cut for plus size petite cargo pants is slightly flared, but fitted (not tight!) everywhere else. Tapered legs are always a no-go; straight-leg cuts can border on making a girl look pear-shaped if she carries her weight in her thighs and hips. Flares could make a short girl look shorter.

The Color

Plus-sized women tend to gravitate toward black or dark clothing, but don't shy away from a nice pair of khaki, olive green, tan, or steel blue pants.

The Shirt

Finding a shirt to go with your cargo pants can be challenging simply because the length needs to be perfect. Too short and you'll make your torso appear shorter and rounder. Too long and you'll shorten your appearance overall and take away from your beautiful curves.

The key to finding the perfect length of shirt is to look for something that hits mid-hip or slightly higher, below your waistband. Button-ups look great—they'll give you a polished look.

Solids aren't a must. You could opt for a pinstriped button-up in any color and look slimmer (but not without curves!) and put-together. Skip the baggy t-shirts. Always, always go for something slightly fitted/tailored for the most presentable look.

The Shoes

You can wear heels with your petite cargo pants. You won't want to whip out the stiletto peep toe pumps you've been dying to wear, no, but you can do a chunkier heel, or even a very short stiletto. If the pants drape to right below where the heel begins, the combination will elongate your legs.

For extra lengthening, choose a shoe in a color that matches your pants.

The Jewelry

The jewelry you wear with your cargo pants is mainly personal preference. If you're wearing neutral colored pants and a solid-colored shirt, try adding chunky jewelry in bright colors.

Limit your bold jewelry to one or two pieces, though, and complement them with simpler pieces. Coco Chanel had the right idea when she said you should take off one piece of jewelry before leaving the house. That'll keep you from overdoing it!

The Bag

Again, bags in bright colors or patterns go well with the typical neutral tones of these pants. Buy one in a size proportional to your size. If you're 4'11", for example, you don't want a bag labeled "large" and if you carry all your weight on your upper half, you don't want a tiny little shoulder bag accentuating the fact. It's all about proportion.

Hobo bags look nice with cargo pants. They're not usually especially casual, but they're not particularly made for formal dresses, either. It's the perfect middle ground—just like your cargo pants. They're not sweatpants, nor are they the black slacks that get you through your workweek with your blazers and pearls.

Find Them

• Liz Claiborne has a pair, the Petite Sloane Stretch Roll-Tab Cargo Pants with a trendy rolled-up bottom. They're available in Gravel.
• Catherine's has a few pairs of cargo pants in various styles. There's the Cargo Capri Pant, for one. Then there's the Pant with Cargo Pockets available in blue and purple. The Pant with Cargo Pockets style is very casual, so it will look best with similarly athletic-inspired tops—not the button-up style listed above.
• Avenue has a pair of Knit Cargo Pants in colors you'll love—Poppy Red, Black, Medium Grey, Blue, and Demitasse.

A Note about the Fit

Though you shouldn't prance around in cargo pants that are too big and baggy (they'll do the opposite of giving you a slim silhouette!), don't buy them too tight, either. With more zippers, pockets, and buttons to draw attention to your lower half, it will be exceptionally obvious if all those seams are being tested. If you can't find the perfect fit, it's best to err a bit on the looser side with plus size petite cargo pants.