Do you like utility and cargo pants but find they make you look bulky and bottom-heavy? I do!

I’ve always had curves, and midlife has made my body softer and rounder. Since most utility pants have a boyish, straight cut and large patch or flap pockets,  they can make me look like a tank below the waist! This makes me feel frumpy, so I’ve pretty much steered clear.

However, recently I was at Banana Republic and came across a fantastic collection of slim utility and cargo pants that are super flattering for women our age. Take a look through these new styles above.

The pair that caught my eye were these casual, classy, Slim Utility Pants. Here’s why I love them and how they fit!

Slim Utility and  Cargo Pants – Great for Curves!

These slim utility pants are fabulous because they’re a cross between skinny jeans and utility pants! They have a midrise waist, which suits everyone, and they are slim across the hips and bum but not tight. They fall straight down, staying close to your legs which makes them slimming, but they don’t cling to your body.

I love how they end just above the ankle with a jogger-style elastic hem. I have been hard-pressed to find a pair of joggers that were all that flattering on me,  but these look great! They have a small ankle zipper on each pant leg that you can partially undo if you want them to be looser or if you’re going for a sportier look.

Are they Comfy?

As for comfort, my slim cargo pants feel great and are easy to move around in. They’re light but not too thin, and since they are 98% cotton with 2% elastane, they are comfy. I was thrilled to come across these because, frankly, although I love white jeans, I get tired of them, and blue jeans always look and feel so hot and heavy in summer.

It’s funny, I was reading the reviews on these slim utility pants, and many said that they were so impressed that they bought a second or third pair in another color, which I did too. I bought them in this light cream, which is so fresh, and then I went back, and I bought them in this Maverick Tan color, which is a little more casual but just as great looking.

Where to Wear Them?

In my eyes, these are the perfect summer pants! You can wear them to the grocery store, doctor’s appt, at a casual workplace, dinner, to the movies, or anywhere on weekends. You can dress them up or down, and they’re ideal if you are going on vacation. I could imagine myself in Europe, sightseeing, wearing these fabulous pants. They’re practical, slimming, and more feminine than most cargo pants.

What to Wear With Slim Utility  Pants

You need a cute tee (or cotton shirt)  to wear with these pants. I always love stripes because they are sporty,  but I get bored of navy or black. I picked up two striped tees in a pretty coral and a classy taupe—each with a slightly different cut. The coral tee is boxy, and you can half-tuck it in for that relaxed cool-girl look, and the second one, the slub crew neck tee, is fitted and has a sleeker, sportier vibe. I always find @bananarepublic has soft, comfy tees, and just like these pants, they provide true to size. I’m small, and these are small. The pants are size 6.

I Bought them in Tan Too!

How to Accessorize Slim Cargo Pants

What kind of a belt do you wear with slim utility pants like this? Black or brown can be kind of harsh, and white is very bright for this natural cargo look. Instead, I found this fabulous braided belt in an off-white, almost a taupe-grey color, and look how well it goes with these pants! The braiding creates texture and goes with cargo pants’ earthy, rugged look. Tip: Buy one size larger belt so you can twist the extra belt over and under for a more modern look.

Both shoes I’m wearing are so good! These flat raffia sandals are from Amazon. These rope and suede espadrille mules I shared earlier from the Banana Republic are the most perfect neutral color and the perfect height -not too high! One thing I do love about BR is everything mixes and matches. I was looking in my closet, and I have Banana Republic clothes from last year that go perfectly with these shoes, and all my other BR pieces coordinate with the pants. I love it when retailers make it easy to shop, coordinate pieces, and build a wardrobe. I haven’t got time to spend hours searching for just the right piece, nor do I want to. I want to live my fabulous life!

One last note about my beautiful earrings. Both pairs, the Double Hoop Huggie and the Braided Huggie Hoop are from Dean Davidson!

If you want easy, practical, a slimming pant that looks modern and chic, be sure to try these and other slim utility and cargo pants at Banana Republic! Now, excuse me because I think I will go back and pick up one more pair! The links to shop are below.

Canadian Banana Republic Links Below