Men – ditch the khaki cargos this summer

Trust me, guys, I get it. Khaki cargo pants are lightweight, dry fast when wet, and are pretty durable for rugged activities, like camping. And three of those eight pockets will come in handy for carrying your wallet, keys, and phone. But what on earth will you do with the other FIVE pockets?

From dude-bros to the well-lived gentleman, the not-so-trendy trend of wearing khaki cargo shorts continues in Wisconsin. However, it’s 2013 and men now have many fashionable options to choose from. Let’s put an end to this not-so-trendy trend. I propose that we save the khaki cargo shorts for camping, hiking, grilling, and, perhaps, gardening – situations where having eight pockets is a must.

In exchange for taking the pledge to wear your beloved khaki cargo shorts wisely, here are four simple, stylish, yet practical, options to consider for your spring/summer wardrobe.

1) Street Style: Tropical Prints
Step into the spring/summer season with this street-style Henley and tropical print canvas Converse. We’ve paired this shirt with some chinos from Obey to complete your urban fashion look. These chinos have a modern cut and are flat front. This look is suitable for the classroom, the cafe, or the skatepark.

 

 

 

 

 

Shirt: Obey Skyway Henley in Mineral Red, $24.95; Pants: Obey Chino Pants in Inca Gold, $52.95; Shoes: Island Time Chuck Taylors, $52.95

 

2) Denim: Lakeside with Hometown Pride

Summer in Milwaukee is not complete without a visit to Bradford Beach. Show off your hometown pride with this limited-edition milwaukeehome T-shirt, featuring artwork by Daniel Fleming. Only 60 shirts were made and 50 percent of sale income goes to the artist. Pair that tee with these mid-wash denim shorts, an old-school summer essential, which is also perfect for festivals. This look is casual and comfortable. For extra comfort, I’ve paired it with some canvas and navy suede boat shoes (no socks required). Plus, it’s the perfect opportunity to sport a brimmed straw hat.

 

 

 

 

Shirt: milwaukeehome Artist Version Splatter, $24.99; Shorts: Topman.com, $50; Hat: Topman.com, $32; Shoes: Penguin “Laguna Boat” 2 Tone, Topman.com, $130

 

 

 

 

 

 

3) Casually Dressed Up: A Summery Mix

Summertime can be tricky for the man who needs a casual, comfortable, and cool look. You may find yourself needing to dress up for a semi-formal night. There are several ways to wear a cardigan, and, yes, you can wear it in the summer, if you choose the proper fabric. We’ve paired this cotton cardigan with twill pants, and a comfortable tuxedo-style shoe from Shoo store in Milwaukee. To give this otherwise conservative look a summertime twist, pair it with a brightly-colored button-up shirt or polo.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cardigan: H&M, $24.95; Twill Pants: H&M, $29.95; Shoes: JD Fisk Nikko Black, Shoo (241 N. Broadway, Milwaukee, WI 53202 or shoostore.com), $169; Shirt: H&M, $17.95

 

 

 

4) Cycling Cool

One of my favorite summertime activities is biking. I’m a casual rider, so I won’t be jumping into any high-performance spandex any time soon. However, I love the look of these lightweight Dickies shorts when worn with a pair of camo Chuck Taylors by John Varvatos. I like to wear my “Bike MKE” shirt while biking, but you’ll find success with any of your favorite t-shirts or tank tops. To bring the look together, top it off (literally) with a fashionable cycling hat, which will fit under your helmet while riding.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shirt – gobikemke.com, $20; Shorts: Dickies Slim Fit Work Shorts, Karmaloop.com, $35; Hat: Pace Classic Cycling Cap, UniversalCycles.com, $16; Shoes: John Varvatos Chuck Taylors, Karmaloop.com, $150.

 

 

Michael is a Milwaukee native who now resides in Shorewood.  He is the editor of FashionableMags.com and the owner of FM Style Studio, a fashion photography studio in Walker’s Point.