5 ways to wear utility pants

Utility dressing can feel like sartorial armory, so offset the militant edge with a delicate blouse. The SS18 catwalks also experimented with color contrasts – take your cues from Givenchy, Joseph, Khaite or Victoria Beckham – and energize olive tones with hot pink or burnt orange.

Create the illusion of a jumpsuit – but with a softer silhouette – by teaming a pair of cargo pants with a tonal utility shirt. A waist-cinching belt bag lends a sporty finishing touch.

A coordinating blazer and a crisp shirt will sharpen up utility pants and make them smart enough for the office. Plus, with this many pockets, you’ll be prepared for anything.

To make your cargo pants work overtime, swap your white shirt and flats for a silk cami, killer heels and statement earrings to take you from desk to dance floor.

If black and white are your usual go-to colors, try olive and navy as a reworked take on monochrome pairings. You can add a flash of white – whether that’s optic white heels or a cotton tee – to keep the palette fresh.

The people featured in this story are not associated with NET-A-PORTER and do not endorse it or the products shown.