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PSA: The cargo pants I saw at a show in Brooklyn last year are completely different now
They went from bulky, military-style pockets to these sleek, integrated ones that look like part of the seam. Has anyone else seen this shift towards hidden utility in streetwear?
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wendy7302mo ago
Hidden utility is a nice way to put it. I bought a pair of those new sleek ones and spent ten minutes patting my own legs trying to find my phone. The pockets are so well hidden even I can't find them. It's a very clean look, but maybe a bit too good at hiding things from me.
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linda_murphy2mo ago
The 2023 Carhartt WIP catalog shows this exact pocket seam change on page 42. This isn't just about looks, it's a manufacturing shift. Those bulky military pockets need extra fabric panels and stitching, which costs more. A hidden pocket built into the side seam uses less material and can be sewn in one pass on an automated machine. They're selling us a simpler, cheaper design as a premium minimalist upgrade.
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But what if the simpler build actually makes the pants last longer? Fewer seams to rip and less loose fabric to catch on stuff. I get what @wendy730 is saying about finding them, but my pair broke in and the pocket openings relaxed a bit. The cost thing makes sense, but a clean one-piece side panel feels tougher for real work, not just cheaper.
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