Cargo Skirts: How to Wear the Utility Skirt Now, From Midi to Mini

The short answer: treat a cargo skirt like tailoring, not streetwear. Choose a knee-length cut in a good fabric, tuck in a fine knit, crisp shirt and fitted tee, and finish with a loafer, a ballet sneaker and a knee boot. The pockets give the skirt its character, so keep everything else clean. Our pick is the Dries Van Noten Floral cargo skirt in Brown, a knee-length gobelin-weave cargo skirt with five pockets and a ditsy floral motif. Browse our midi skirts and the full Dries Van Noten collection.

The cargo skirt borrows its patch pockets from military combat trousers. It became a 2000s staple, came back with the Y2K revival, and has since moved upmarket: designers now cut it in poplin, wool and jacquard and pair it with blazers. Around 18,000 people search for cargo skirts every month worldwide, with demand highest in summer.

Which cargo skirt to choose

Fabric matters more than on any other skirt. Cotton poplin and gabardine look sharp; a printed weave like jacquard makes the shape feel new; nylon reads sporty.

7 ways to wear a cargo skirt

1. With a fine knit and a loafer

The office version. Tuck the knit in so the pockets sit on a clean line.

2. With a crisp shirt

A white poplin shirt and a midi cargo skirt is the most polished outfit here. A wrap shirt also works; see wrap tops for women.

3. With a blazer

A tailored blazer over a cargo skirt mixes the formal with the utility.

4. With ballet sneakers

A soft, low shoe keeps a cargo skirt feminine. Read ballet sneakers.

5. With knee boots

The autumn outfit, with a chunky knit and a long coat.

6. With a fitted tee

A plain tee, tucked, and a pair of sneakers for the weekend.

7. In print

A floral cargo skirt with a plain knit in a colour taken from the print. More on prints in how to wear Dries Van Noten prints.

Our picks

1. Dries Van Noten Floral cargo skirt in Brown

Knee length, gobelin weave in cotton and polyester, five cargo pockets, button and zip front.

2. Dries Van Noten Overdyed cargo skirt in Black

An overdyed black cargo skirt, the most versatile of the house versions.

3. Dries Van Noten Cotton poplin cargo skirt in Khaki

Classic khaki poplin, closest to the military original. See also khaki pants for women.

4. Dries Van Noten Checked cargo skirt in Neon Orange

A check with a neon accent, for a confident print.

5. Scanlan Theodore Parachute Cargo Skirt in Potion

A parachute cargo skirt with a relaxed, sporty line.

6. The Frankie Shop Mayenne Cargo Skirt in Brown

A brown cargo skirt with a clean, minimal finish.

Frequently asked questions

Are cargo skirts still in style in 2026?

Yes. The cargo skirt has moved from streetwear to designer collections, now cut knee length in poplin, wool and printed weaves, and styled with knits and tailoring.

What top goes with a cargo skirt?

A fitted top tucked in: a fine knit, a crisp shirt, a fitted tee and a bodysuit. Avoid bulky tops, which add to the volume of the pockets.

What shoes do you wear with a cargo skirt?

Loafers and ballet sneakers for a polished look, knee boots in autumn, and sneakers for the weekend.

Can you wear a cargo skirt to work?

Yes, if you choose a knee-length cut in a good fabric and pair it with a shirt and a loafer. Keep the colour neutral and the pockets flat.

Is a cargo skirt flattering?

A cargo skirt with flat patch pockets and a defined waist is flattering on most figures. Choose a knee length and tuck the top in.