Behind The Design: The Utility Pant and Skirt

With the re-emergence of the cargo pant I wanted to develop a more streamlined design that I hope will stand the test of time; The Utility Pant and Skirt are the result.

About 20 years ago I had designed a cargo pant and skirt and I remember how relaxed and comfortable they felt. I revisited these designs and updated them for now, developing them further to offer two pant options alongside a skirt within the same pattern.

I wanted to avoid the classic cargo design with numerous bellows pockets, randomly attached down the trouser leg. To me this creates a really unflattering silhouette, adding pounds where they are not needed!

So I have chosen to integrate the pockets within the seams of the garment, providing all the utility styling but in a sleeker shape. To do this both the skirt and pant have a side panel with seams down the front and back rather than a single side seam.

The side pockets are stitched to the side panels prior to attaching the panel to front and back; the seams effectively are the sides of the pockets.

The front pockets at hip height are in-seam pockets, but as the seam is forward from the side seam they sit flatter to the body.

Finally the back pockets are positioned over the back seam. Both the side and back pockets are finished with a button and buttonhole.

The trousers have two hem options, straight or elasticated.

The elasticated hem although gathered, is loose around the ankle so the trouser sits over the shoe or sandal.

The trousers above have been made in Cupro and Tencel, both from Ditto Fabrics.