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While cargo pants aren't quite as ubiquitous as jeans, they're just as comfortable and almost as iconic. So considering all the reincarnations jeans have enjoyed, it's kind of amazing that until now, cargo pants have generally stuck to the same silhouette: baggy. Under the super-influential direction of Balmain's Christophe Decarnin, however, cargo pants have taken on a much skinner shape for spring, and, all of a sudden, they look incredibly fresh. Here are my favorites, from straight-from-the-runway on down.

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Tory Burch has a reputation for being preppy and accessible, but I think she has a good dose of badass lurking under her Main Line exterior. Case in point: these leather cargo pants, which are stretchy and quite sexy, especially since the buttery beige color makes one look almost naked. Of course, considering the weather we've been having in NYC, you might need to save them for fall.


A bit more traditional in color and in fabric, these Blumarine cargo pants are a little less adventurous and yet still a clear move toward a skinnier silhouette.


But if you're going to splurge, why not go straight to the source? There are many Balmain cargo pants out there, from ultra-luxe leather to shredded and distressed, but I like this chain-detail pair the best. They're cut squarely through the hips, the pockets are strategically placed, and the fit is slim but not skintight, which is key.


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Green cargo pants are always obvious, but a lot of this season's styles come in a nice grayish green--a new neutral if you will. That shade, combined with a slightly slouchy fit make these 7 For All Mankind Josefina pants a smart pick.


J Brand's Houlihan skinny cargo pants are already selling out left and right, and since they're the most Balmain-ish, you can see why. They're also quite sexy, with a rather snug fit and long side zippers. I'd size up if you want a slouchier fit.


These Juicy Couture cargo pants aren't reinventing the wheel, but the not-too-skinny fit is accessible, and I like that they come in fresh colors--steel gray and rich brown instead of the more typical army green.


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Leave it to Victoria's Secret to come up with a red cargo pant. Color aside, these cotton poplin pants have a nicely slim-yet-slouchy fit, and if the red is a bit too much for you, they also come in a much more practical khaki.


These Heritage slim cargo pants are pretty much what you'd expect from Banana Republic--quiet and refined, in a nice linen blend. However, the details really make this pair stand out: The wide waistband is flattering, and the leg appears to be well cut. They're also on sale, which makes them even sweeter.


I ordered these slim utility pants from Martin + Osa, which is soon shutting down. They were one of the first slim pairs I came across, and the fact that the cargo pockets aren't too baggy appealed to me. I should warn you that they run a bit snug--I decided to exchange for the next size up, and I'm hoping those will have a slightly slouchier fit. If they end up not working out, I'm marching over to Banana Republic for the above pair. The navy is not very Balmain, but then again, maybe neither am I.