If I've said it once, I've said it a thousand times: I love a good outfit repeat. Whether it's a head-to-toe look or a single piece worn multiple ways, the more wear, the better, in my opinion. My recent repeats include a pretty puff-sleeve dress [1], a black jumpsuit [2], and a printed slip skirt [3] styled in various ways for the cold. Now that it's January and we're past the holiday hoopla, I'm moving on to some of the latest 2020 trends [4], starting with the utilitarian look by way of these Utility Paperbag Pants [5] ($50) from the POPSUGAR collection at Kohl's [6].
First fact: they're incredibly flattering. With a high-rise paperbag waist and self-tie belt, they're perfectly cinchable with any sort of top tucked in. Second fact: they're super soft and lightweight — quite ideal for caressing one's own leg/transitioning seasons. Third fact: the utilitarian factor is subtle, but sleek; two patch pockets sit right under the waist while a single cargo pocket lines the right leg. Fourth and final fact: they come in two utilitarian-esque colors — a fawn-like khaki and jet black — plus a floral print when the mood skews more feminine.
With such winning attributes, I put myself up to the challenge of styling these modern cargos three different ways. And not only that, I leveled up the challenge by doing so with basics, vintage, and thrifted pieces I already had in my wardrobe (after a major decluttering and reorganization of my apartment ahead of the new year, I'm so excited to "shop" my closet and give love to more pieces I already own!).
Witness my easy-to-replicate combos that feature the $50 POPSUGAR Utility Paperbag Pants [7] from the January collection [8] ahead, starting with a Pernille Teisbaek-inspired look [9] I've been dying to try since she posted the #OOTD five days ago. Not only can you then shop each of my looks head to toe, but also I included similar versions of the pieces I wore from online resale shops and affordable retailers. My 2020 outfit mantra? Style, wear, repeat.
How I Styled My Utility Pants: With 2 Sweaters, White Boots, and Jewelry
For my first utility-pant go, I re-created a look I double-tapped on the 'gram by one of my favorite fashion influencers, Pernille Teisbaek [11]. Tucking a thin gray mock-neck top into the high-rise pants, I tossed on a second sweater in a thicker fabric as an extracozy layer. Fun, yeah? To finish, I styled in white patent boots, a vintage gold necklace, and delicate rings and bracelets as the final touch.
How I Styled My Utility Pants: With 2 Sweaters, White Boots, and Jewelry
Here is a closer look at the subtle cargo vibes of these utility pants by way of the right-leg pocket.
POPSUGAR Utility Paperbag Pants
POPSUGAR Lounge Sweatshirt
POPSUGAR Lounge Sweatshirt [12] ($50)
Inhabit Wool Blend Boiled V
Inhabit Wool Blend Boiled V [13] ($238, originally $398)
POPSUGAR Balloon-Sleeve Funnel-Neck Sweater
POPSUGAR Balloon-Sleeve Funnel-Neck Sweater [14] ($50)
POPSUGAR Turtleneck Side Slit Tunic
POPSUGAR Turtleneck Side Slit Tunic [15] ($50)
Miista E8 Ankle Boot
Miista E8 Ankle Boot [16] ($128, originally $210)
Rosetta Getty Black Patent-Leather Ankle Boots
Rosetta Getty Black Patent-Leather Ankle Boots [17] ($380, originally $845)
Vintage 90s Double Link Chain Necklace
Vintage 90s Double Link Chain Necklace [18] ($32)
Aurate Infinity Ring
Aurate Infinity Ring [19] ($120)
Catbird Jewelry Her Diamond Eyes Ring
Catbird Jewelry Her Diamond Eyes Ring [20] ($274)
Mejuri Boyfriend Stacker Vermeil
Mejuri Boyfriend Stacker Vermeil [21] ($60)
Stella and Bow Nebula Ring
Stella and Bow Nebula Ring [22] ($45)
Tiary Pave Charm Hoop Earrings
Tiary Pave Charm Hoop Earrings [23] ($253)
Anne Sisteron 14KT Yellow Gold Diamond Zoe Huggie Earrings
Anne Sisteron 14KT Yellow Gold Diamond Zoe Huggie Earrings [24] ($395)
Baublebar Niata Large 18k Gold Vermeil Huggies
Baublebar Niata Large 18k Gold Vermeil Huggies [25] ($68)
Maison Miru Mini Eternity Hoop Earrings
Maison Miru Mini Eternity Hoop Earrings [26] ($44)
How I Styled My Utility Pants: With a Sweatshirt, Oversize Blazer, Black Boots, and a Bag
For my second look, I went the tailored route by layering an oversize vintage blazer (this one is a men's jacket I had taken in) over this Popsugar Relaxed Sweatshirt [27] ($40) (worn backwards!). To keep things sleek, I added in a #NewBottegaVeneta [28] crossbody bag (you can find similar styles from affordable retailers or designer versions on resale sites like Vestiaire Collective [29] and The RealReal [30]!), square-toe black ankle boots, and vintage-inspired jewelry like baroque pearl earrings and a twisted chain necklace.
How I Styled My Utility Pants: With a Sweatshirt, Oversize Blazer, Black Boots, and a Bag
I love how high these pants sit with enough room to cinch in thicker sweatshirts and knits!
POPSUGAR Utility Paperbag Pants
POPSUGAR Utility Paperbag Pants [31] ($50)
Kors by Michael Kors Wool Blazer
Kors by Michael Kors Wool Blazer [32] ($65)
Popsugar Relaxed Sweatshirt
Popsugar Relaxed Sweatshirt [33] ($40)
Miista Olga Stretch Bootie
Miista Olga Stretch Bootie [34] ($395)
Seven Dials Nicole Mid-Calf Boots
Seven Dials Nicole Mid-Calf Boots [35] ($55, originally $70)
Mango Framework Leather Bag
Mango Framework Leather Bag [36] ($60)
Bottega Veneta Leather Handbag
Bottega Veneta Leather Handbag [37] ($800)
Lili Claspe Baroque Hoops
Lili Claspe Baroque Hoops [38] ($80)
Bonito Jewelry Da Vinci Chain Choker
Bonito Jewelry Da Vinci Chain Choker [39] ($90)
How I Styled My Utility Pants: With a Puff-Sleeve Shirt, Faux-Croc Accessories, and Jewelry
My third and final look, I went with the khaki-colored pants and worked in another major-for-2020 trend: voluminous sleeves! For a luxe effect, I mixed in a faux-croc bag and boots and tied it all together with a pair of two-tone hoop earrings, layered bracelets, and stackable rings.
How I Styled My Utility Pants: With a Puff-Sleeve Shirt, Faux-Croc Accessories, and Jewelry
The utilitarian vibes are strong in this fawn-like khaki color!
POPSUGAR Utility Paperbag Pants
POPSUGAR Utility Paperbag Pants [40] ($50)
Khaite White Enya Cotton-Poplin Blouse
Khaite White Enya Cotton-Poplin Blouse [41] ($257, originally $514)
Choosy Romy Top
Choosy Romy Top [42] ($55)
Parisa Wang Enchanted Top Handle Bag
Parisa Wang Enchanted Top Handle Bag [43] ($355)
Aldo Ibilia Mid-Calf Boot
Aldo Ibilia Mid-Calf Boot [44] ($100, originally $200)
Adornmonde Kramar Oversized Hoop Earrings
Adornmonde Kramar Oversized Hoop Earrings [45] ($134)
Jenny Bird Landry Bracelet Figaro Chain Links
Jenny Bird Landry Bracelet Figaro Chain Links [46] ($95)
Roxanne Assoulin White Sands Bracelet
Roxanne Assoulin White Sands Bracelet [47] ($110)
Zoe Lev 14k Gold Initial Bracelet
Zoe Lev 14k Gold Initial Bracelet [48] ($195)
Tiny Letter Bracelet
Tiny Letter Bracelet [49] ($27)
Barbela Diamond Wilder Ring
Barbela Diamond Wilder Ring [50] ($1,150)
Ashley Zhang Classic Round Signet Ring
Ashley Zhang Classic Round Signet Ring [51] ($560)
Missoma Lucy Williams Gold Pave Ridge Ring
Missoma Lucy Williams Gold Pave Ridge Ring [52] ($72)
Round Signet Ring
Round Signet Ring [53] ($32)