There’s nothing like a military-inspired trend to highlight the glorious ridiculousness of the fashion industry. And I say that with the greatest affection, of course. Items that were previously created for their utmost functionally are deconstructed, reconfigured and.
fashionified until they emerge transformed, like a butterfly from a chrysalis, into objets that come prefixed with adjectives such as “cute” and “brunch-ready”. There are aviator jackets rendered in space-age silver, cargo trousers that come with a “nipped-in” waist, and flight suits that stay very much grounded. But be that as it may, we can’t deny that many of 2024’s “utility” trends are actually quite, well, utilitarian.
The return of the cargo bag is the perfect case in point. Riding the wave of the Noughties renaissance, the multi-pocket cargo bag started to make its presence felt on Miu Miu’s spring/summer 2023 catwalk , where large-pocketed belt bags were slung across prim, pleated midi- skirts . It was during this same season the brand released its Pocket bag, a boxy shoulder style that quickly became an It-girl favourite.
Unsurprisingly, by the time the spring/summer 2024 runways rolled around, the silhouette had extended itself into the collections of Acne Studios, Fendi and Simone Rocha, to name but a few, and I have no doubt that many others will soon follow. Identifiable by its boxy silhouette and multi-pocketed design, not every cargo bag is the ultimate functional fashion .