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Cargo shorts are ...

  • Awesome! Do not take mine!

    Votes: 38 60.3%
  • Bleh! Get rid of them NOW!

    Votes: 12 19.0%
  • What are cargo shorts?

    Votes: 1 1.6%
  • I could care less.

    Votes: 12 19.0%

  • Total voters
    63
I generally wear them when it's hot or cargo trousers if it's cooler.
I find them comfortable and the pockets handy for things like lens caps etc.
As to what other people think about what I wear? I really couldn't give two hoots what people think (outside of work of course where I wear smart trousers like the rest of the world).
Mrs AFB is quite happy with my wardrobe. After all she was with me when I bought most of them.

What's a Dickies?
Interesting that you ask that as I was about to reply to your earlier post asking "What are smart trousers?".
 
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What's a Dickies?
This is what it means to me, anyway...

image.jpeg
 
My GF gives me a lot of flack for speedos. I remind her where I met her (in the pool, swimming laps). So something must have worked?

Dance belt for swimming? What?!

(I admit I'm embarrassed to even know what that is)

Dance Belt actually provides slightly more coverage, and the fabric is thicker, but not as durable. How do dancers keep those things together. My best friend in high school had an older brother who was married. When I asked him how they met, he told me that he was swimming in a public pool, in a Speedo, and this girl came up behind him and 'grabbed his junk'. They married a few months after, and were married, and probably still are for all I know to this day. So Speedo's 'bring couples together'? Hmm... Or, drive them apart? Hmm... :)
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Interesting that you ask that as I was about to reply to your earlier post asking "What are smart trousers?".

Oh oh oh! I think I know.

I had what were called 'Smart Trousers', with small pockets for 'technology', except the technology changed, and sadly the pockets didn't. :(
 
More vocabulary differences.

I remember my baffled bewilderment when I first came across a reference in some American novel to a character wearing 'dress shirt'. The context of the story did not suggest a dinner jacket, or tuxedo. This is because, in the UK, what we term a 'dress shirt' is what is what accompanies a tuxedo, or a white tie outfit.

A normal shirt, a collared shirt that one can wear with a tie, or open necked, a shirt with a collar that you button up, is simply called 'a shirt'. We don't use the term 'dress shirt' (i.e. a proper collared shirt, a button up shirt) for something that is the standard.

However, what @Apple fanboy means by 'smart trousers' are what used to be called 'slacks', that is, proper, well cut, more or less the kind of trousers that are worn in professional settings, the sort that can be worn with a sports jacket, as well as with proper brogues, or shoes, and a proper buttoned up, collared shirt.
 
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Cargo shorts? Cargo pants? Can't live without 'em! However, they are not my only attire, of course..... Quite a few years ago prior to going on a photo trip I first discovered cargo pants which conveniently unzipped to make cargo shorts.....and they were perfect for that occasion plus others which followed. We usually started out shooting in the very early morning when it was still cool but as the day went on it heated up and I was delighted to be able to unzip the pants and instantly make shorts out of them. (I was NOT so delighted when on one occasion the right leg on the pants decided to separate on its own.....had to have a friend put me back together again!) Anyway, for certain specific purposes they are useful, both the shorts and the full-length pants -- especially for stashing various things in pockets, When one is out in the field shooting photos, that is very handy! When I'm going out somewhere with friends to a nice restaurant, of course I wear something not so frankly casual, and that works fine. A quick run to the grocery store or a casual walk around the neighborhood? Look out -- you might see those dreaded cargo shorts (or pants)! :)
 
Things never to buy...
- Cargo shorts
- Cargo pants
- Pants that zip off into shorts (especially with cargo pockets)
- Camoflauge pattern pants
- Elastic Waistband shorts/pants/jeans (unless they're athletic of course)
- Jean shorts (unless you're a hipster, but not those elastic waistband cargo Jorts [Jean shorts])
- If you insist on cargo shorts, don't get them in plaid
I agree completely. I was about to type up a similar list. I want to put emphasis on the camouflage pattern cargo shorts.

Stick with khaki/flat front/Bermuda shorts. No more than 9" inseam (just down to your knee)
Yes. This is one of my main types of shorts I wear.
 
More vocabulary differences.

I remember my baffled bewilderment when I first came across a reference in some American novel to a character wearing 'dress shirt'. The context of the story did not suggest a dinner jacket, or tuxedo. This is because, in the UK, what we term a 'dress shirt' is what is what accompanies a tuxedo, or a white tie outfit.

A normal shirt, a collared shirt that one can wear with a tie, or open necked, is simply called 'a shirt'. We don't use the term 'dress shirt' (i.e. a proper collared shirt, a button up shirt) for something that is the standard.

However, what @Apple fanboy means by 'smart trousers' are what used to be called 'slacks', that is, proper, well cut, sort of formal trousers, the sort that can be worn with a sports jacket, as well as with proper brogues, or shoes, and a proper buttoned up, collared shirt.

'Sports jacket' is a rather misnomer too. It's called a 'jacket' usually. But anyway...

And why is it called a 'pair' of shorts? You don't wear two... o_O:confused:
 
Though I did write this:

Wear them all the time, semi-fitted, not too long, it's my standard uniform :) I just finished a consulting gig, major company, wore them everyday :D I generally don't wear them with cross trainers and/or a polo style shirt (don't even own any of the latter ...)

I did want to point out that that I don't wear/own any of this:

- Cargo pants
- Pants that zip off into shorts (especially with cargo pockets)
- Camoflauge pattern pants
- Elastic Waistband shorts/pants/jeans (unless they're athletic of course)
- Jean shorts (unless you're a hipster, but not those elastic waistband cargo Jorts [Jean shorts])
- If you insist on cargo shorts, don't get them in plaid

And for the love of god, no fanny packs ever. :D

I could or could not care less?

Depends. I've used both, they're tonally different, but ultimately express the same intent (you don't care ...)
 
And for the love of god, no fanny packs ever. :D

What are you talking about? Fannypacks are functional and sexy.

I was on Amtrak a few years ago and these older women behind me were squabbling about how hard it is to find a good fanny pack these days. It was one of the funniest conversations I've heard in my life.
 
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'Sports jacket' is a rather misnomer too. It's called a 'jacket' usually. But anyway...

And why is it called a 'pair' of shorts? You don't wear two... o_O:confused:

I suspect that the term 'sports' jacket came from the sort of jacket that people wore for non-work, i.e.- leisure wear - around half a century or so ago; in other words, a jacket that was not a suit jacket, but could be used to wear in smart non-work (i.e. attending sports events - look at a photograph of football fans in the Uk at any time until chelate 60s, early 70s, and you will see that most of them are still wearing collars and ties) contexts.

Re pair of shorts, you will find this plural used in most languages to describe a pair of trousers, or pants. This is because we have two legs.
 
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Fanny packs should never be said to someone hailing from the UK. It's something completely different. I've witnessed complete meltdowns of expats who foamed at the mouth because they were disgusted by such vulgar language.
 
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Fanny packs should never be said to someone hailing from the UK. It's something completely different. I've witnessed complete meltdowns of expats who foamed at the mouth because they were disgusted by such vulgar language.

Purely as a matter of completely disinterested and utterly objective scientific enquiry, just what was the actual gender of the mouth foamers among those expats who experienced such dramatic meltdowns when this expression was used in there hearing?

I was wondering when someone was going to bring that up...... LOL!!!!!

Indeed.

I must say that I have been following the thread with interest, ever since this expression was introduced.
 
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(Some) women also wear cargo shorts and cargo pants......

Also some women choose to use a waist pack (note the change of terminology here from another more commonly used name). There are times when it comes in very handy, again on photo trips or when one is using a backpack. By having certain things readily and quickly available in the waist pack, one doesn't have to fumble around with the backpack.

Yoga pants? Well, I am probably one of the few females who has not worn them or even tried them out. So they're really comfortable, eh? Gee, maybe I've been missing something all this time.....!!!
 
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Purely as a matter of completely disinterested and utterly objective scientific enquiry, just what was the actual gender of the mouth foamers among those expats who experienced such dramatic meltdowns when this expression was used in there hearing?
Men and women. A few F bombs were dropped too. As a casual observer of public arguments, it was rather entertaining. Though it took me a few minutes to figure out why fanny pack wasn't a nice thing to say. Additionally, some old-fashioned Americans such as those over the age of sixty also find the term vulgar because it's the equivalent of saying "ass pack" for them.

It's always wonderful to listen to the inane back and forth arguments of Americans vs. British or even simply English people here in America. It's often delightful, because two cultures come together. And then sometimes that happens and it's hilarious.
 
Men and women. A few F bombs were dropped too. As a casual observer of public arguments, it was rather entertaining. Though it took me a few minutes to figure out why fanny pack wasn't a nice thing to say. Additionally, some old-fashioned Americans such as those over the age of sixty also find the term vulgar because it's the equivalent of saying "ass pack" for them.

It's always wonderful to listen to the inane back and forth arguments of Americans vs. British or even simply English people here in America. It's often delightful, because two cultures come together. And then sometimes that happens and it's hilarious.

Ah, fascinating.

I had wondered whether the outrage was confined to one gender. Hm.

Such cultural and linguistic misunderstandings can be hilarious at times.
 
Yes... the term "wanker" is rather universal.

Quite a few years ago, I remember when my brother and I had used the term - nodding in casual agreement at one another over the dinner table - to describe a political who richly merited this noun. My mother - who had never come across the term - asked what it meant. Bravely, my brother looked significantly at me, then proceeded to stare at his plate, and - by his silence - allowed me to furnish an explanation.

I did so, in two words. "Oh", said my mother, somewhat surprised, "I see." And she carried on eating, though she didn't dispute the use of the term to describe the politician in question.
 
Absolutely not. Get rid of them. The only thing worse than cargo shorts are cargo pants. Unless you're Napoleon Dynamite and need to keep tater tots in your pockets there is no excuse :D

Seriously though, they're not fashionable. My mom made my dad get rid of his a couple years ago. Earlier this year I saw some forsale at JCrew and was shocked.

Or I could give you the PC answer "wear whatever you find comfortable" .... Just don't expect to be fashionable.

Things never to buy...
- Cargo shorts
- Cargo pants
- Pants that zip off into shorts (especially with cargo pockets)
- Camoflauge pattern pants
- Elastic Waistband shorts/pants/jeans (unless they're athletic of course)
- Jean shorts (unless you're a hipster, but not those elastic waistband cargo Jorts [Jean shorts])
- If you insist on cargo shorts, don't get them in plaid

Plaid shorts I would say are also out of style, madras you can get away with

Stick with khaki/flat front/Bermuda shorts. No more than 9" inseam (just down to your knee)
Here is the terminator breaking all the rules.
 

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What have women - and yoga pants - to do with a man choosing to wear cargo shorts?

I asked the same question a few pages ago.

(Some) women also wear cargo shorts and cargo pants......

Also some women choose to use a waist pack (note the change of terminology here from another more commonly used name). There are times when it comes in very handy, again on photo trips or when one is using a backpack. By having certain things readily and quickly available in the waist pack, one doesn't have to fumble around with the backpack.

Yoga pants? Well, I am probably one of the few females who has not worn them or even tried them out. So they're really comfortable, eh? Gee, maybe I've been missing something all this time.....!!!

A very fair and comprehensive answer.

Mind you, I have never worn - or tried out - either cargo pants (or shorts) or yoga pants.
 
Quite a few years ago, I remember when my brother and I had used the term - nodding in casual agreement at one another over the dinner table - to describe a political who richly merited this noun. My mother - who had never come across the term - asked what it meant. Bravely, my brother looked significantly at me, then proceeded to stare at his plate, and - by his silence - allowed me to furnish an explanation.

I did so, in two words. "Oh", said my mother, somewhat surprised, "I see." And she carried on eating, though she didn't dispute the use of the term to describe the politician in question.
And just think he went on to become PM!
(insert name of PM your particular views are best summed up by that term).

Tbh I'm not sure that's a word I have ever used in front of my mother.
 
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