LSU students despise cargo shorts. This misplaced animosity makes no sense because cargo shorts are God’s gift to the common man.
They offer plenty of pocket room, go with almost everything and look amazing. The university’s general distaste toward cargo shorts is in poor taste and can’t go on. What separates cargo shorts from the typical khaki shorts you see men wearing nowadays are two extra pockets.
“Cargo Embargo” is a term coined by Chubbies shorts, a shorter style of mens shorts. Our value of men’s short shorts was so prestigious we completely annihilated cargo shorts from our arsenal of summer apparel. Chubbies are hardly relevant anymore, so why is their ill-intended message towards cargo shorts still so prominent?
Cargo shorts are the epitome of convenience: They are comfortable, offer plenty of utility and work with any casual occasion.
Originating from cargo pants, the British military adopted this style in 1938. Adding extra pockets provided the opportunity to fit more ammunition and radios. This highlights the masculinity of cargo shorts. A typical cargo short wearer must have so many important accessories he needs extra toting room.
Compared to his adolescence, the common man is carrying more on his person. A cell phone, pack of gum, wallet, car keys and pens are just a few new essentials. If he tried to fit all of these in two meager pockets, he would struggle for space.
In some cases, each accessory could have its own individual pocket. This is convenience and comfort at its finest. Now, I ask, when did convenience and comfort become uncool?
According to ABC News, in 2012, Michael Jordan was banned from La Gorce Country Club for playing golf in cargo shorts. When asked to change into something more suitable, Jordan refused. If a six-time champion could not get away with wearing cargo shorts, what chance does a 19-year-old college sophomore have?
Luckily, I’m not the only college student who sees the glory in cargo shorts.
Zack Zanca, mechanical engineering sophomore, said cargo shorts are “nice and comfortable and can be stylish.” McKinna Bunch, history freshman, echoed him. “[Cargo shorts] can be a bit unattractive, but they’re functional … and can be worn in any casual situation,” Bunch said.
Cargo shorts are what the silent majority want, and their acceptance should be encouraged.
Blindly following fashion trends, people deem cargo shorts lame or uncool. These trends are fickle and rarely last. Cargo shorts are worn by adult males all the time, so it’s just a matter of time before the masses give in and accept these trepidated trunks.
The majority of men will end up wearing cargo shorts when their desire to appease social trends fades, so we may as well take advantage of cargo shorts now.
People’s willingness to avoid cargo shorts proves we are shallow enough to sacrifice comfort and utility to appease other people. Are we actually willing to sacrifice so much so other people will think us cooler at first glance? This shallow mentality shows how poor our values are. Public opinion is too highly regarded in a college society, and people should be more comfortable with themselves — in cargo shorts.
Kain Hingle is a 19-year-old psychology freshman from Mandeville, Louisiana. You can reach him on Twitter @kain_hingle.