Form, Function, and a Few Extra Pockets

Here’s the thing…you’ve seen the rise of utility wear even if you don’t realize that you have. Reinforced fabrics, cargo pocketing, high-vis reflectives–all of these prominent features hold a key role in what is known as utility style. While it’s not a genre that’s ever fully left the scene, its presence in activewear has only grown more prominent.

With some key FP Movement pieces like the cargo-forward Charmer Utility Pant, the soft-meets-tough Osaka Legging, and the utility pocket-clad Cabin Fever Puffer Vest, our brand has taken to embracing this aesthetic as well. Read on to learn a little more about this age-old aesthetic and see how team FP Movement is wearing and pairing our favorite cargo pieces.

As can be assumed by its name, utility wear came to be not as a means of fashion, but as a means of function. Durability, practicality, and genuine utility were the cornerstones of creating these versatile, minimalist pieces.

Historically making its first appearance during World War II, the creation of “utility clothing” came about because of a materials shortage. All apparel was required to meet strict standards when it came to the amount of material and labor being utilized to create it. The result? Items forged in practicality that leaned heavily on making the most of the fabric they warranted: hoods, pockets, and other functional components that would make these wearable with purpose.

Utility wear has continued to pop up throughout fashion history, from the mid 1990s workwear revival to current cargo pieces that have made their way into the FP Movement assortment. From classic cargo to gorpcore, these styles have held their own even as trend cycles shift.

We’re used to function being sacrificed in the name of fashion, but utility wear asks the question, “why not both?”