Periodically throughout history, it has stood at the forefront of men’s fashion. On the order of the day, corduroy pants present a hybrid of functionality and ease: durable enough for men to ‘get ready to work’, comfortable enough for them to relax, and stylish enough for them to look the part on the road, in the office and at a dinner party. As you read, we will examine all there is to know about men’s corduroy pants. This includes their origin and rise to prominence in the centuries past, the intricacies of the fabric, its fit, when to wear it, and how to take care of your corduroy trousers.
Whether you’ve been a corduroy devotee for years or you’re looking into your first pair, this companion will help you make wise decisions about adding these classic trousers to your wardrobe, from the technical details of wale count to how to wear corduroy with other garments. You’ll also learn how to best wear and care for your corduroy pants.
Table of Contents:
1. Understanding corduroy fabric and its unique characteristics
2. Finding the perfect fit: Navigating corduroy pant styles and cuts
3. Styling corduroy pants: Versatile options for every occasion
4. Caring for your corduroy pants: Maintenance and longevity tips
5. Seasonal considerations: Wearing corduroy pants year-round
Understanding corduroy fabric and its unique characteristics
Corduroy (something that is corduroy is corded, or covered with raised parallel cords, known as ‘wales’, that run vertically along the length of fabric) provides visual texture and visual interest, but also serves as a durable, warm fabric. The word ‘corduroy’ comes from the French expression ‘corde du roi’ (‘cord of the king’) and has a contested etymology. Textile historians debate its exact origins.
What differentiates it from other fabrics is its wale count – that’s the industry term for the number of ridges per inch of fabric. Lower wale counts create a thicker, more casual fabric with much deeper ridges. These heavier corduroys are favoured for their rugged look and excellent insulation properties. The higher the wale count, the thinner and smoother the fabric, and thus the dressier the application.
Corduroy is most likely made from cotton, though modern renditions may be blended with synthetic fibres such as polyester or elastane (of which you probably know stretchy Lycra) to make it more wrinkle resistant and supple. As a pile weave, an extra set of fibres is woven around the base fabric in columns to form corduroy’s distinctive ridges. This not only makes corduroy very hardwearing, it also helps give it good insulating properties that lends itself to cooler climates.
Finding the perfect fit: Navigating corduroy pant styles and cuts
Nothing about corduroy pants should be ill-fitting or uncomfortable, especially because the ropes of the fabric give it natural visual heft to the silhouette. Ensure that your corduroy cuts maintain your figure well, as slim-cut corduroy pants have become increasingly popular in recent years. They have a distinctly manufactured, contemporary shape that complements anything casual or semi-formal. And while jeans can be for any occasion, slim-fit corduroy generally applies to the lounge and leisurewear (though some men might be professional enough to wear them to the office, too). The slim cut tends to involve a slightly smaller leg opening and a slimmer, more closely fit cut through the thigh, making it work better with more sneaker- than boot-type shoes.
For those looking for the same classic comfort in something less snug, straight-leg corduroy pants offer the perfect compromise. Cut straight through the hip and thigh, your straight-leg corduroys will maintain the same width from knee to ankle, making for an easy-wearing comfort. Straight-legs neither look too formal nor too casual, and, mixed with the right shirt or sportcoat, you can match and pair them with nearly anything. Other men, however, might want an even looser, more relaxed and comfortable fit, especially in more relaxed settings and occasions.
When trying on the corduroy pants, pay attention to the fit around the waist, seat and thighs. The waistband should rest around your natural waist, and should be able to remain there without the use of a belt. There should be plenty of room in the seat and the thighs, so you can move freely without too much of the pants bagging or being too tight. The length of these pants should also be considered. Shorter styles of corduroy work for the more contemporary look, with skinny or straight pants worn with ankle boots or loafers that come up to the ankle. For more of a polished look, you can go for a slight break at the shoe.
Styling corduroy pants: Versatile options for every occasion
Corduroys are versatile bottoms that can take you from casual to slightly more formal territory if you wear them the right way. With a T-shirt or henley and a pair of sneakers, your corduroy pants can be dressed down for a casual weekend look. Layer up with a denim jacket or a chunky knit sweater for warmth and depth. This look is easy to wear but stylish, perfect for running errands and meeting friends for lunch.
A button-down shirt is a crisp and clean addition to any corduroy pant. Add some leather shoes, and you’ve put your corduroys in office mode, or you can upgrade them for a dinner date or special occasion. A blazer ups the formality of this outfit, turning it into smart-casual attire that works for most office settings. Match your blazer in a complementary texture, like tweed or wool, to play up the texture game with your pants. For shoes, leather loafers or brogues are the perfect complement to your corduroy pants – adding to the pants’ refined yet relaxed feel.
Styling corduroy pants is about the right combinations of colour, but not too many. Earth tones – brown, olive, rust – are classic, natural to the material, emphasising the natural, textured, hand-worked look. But don’t be afraid to experiment with brighter tones, too. Navy, burgundy or even forest green set off corduroy pants and keep the look smart. You may have noticed that, when mixing colours, finer wales work better with more formal combinations of hues. A fine-wale pair of corduroys looks better with dark blue jeans and a white shirt than a wider-wale with a brown coat and a T-shirt.
Caring for your corduroy pants: Maintenance and longevity tips
Your corduroy pants will look like crap and fall apart if you don’t take care of them Because of its pile construction, corduroy has a specific care protocol that will help to maintain the texture and appearance, as well as the longevity, of the garment. For washing corduroy pants, turn inside out to avoid abrasion to the wales. Try to use cold water and run the garment on a delicate cycle to minimise wear and tear of the material. Don’t overload your washing machine because it may unduly crimp or crease the corduroy to the point where the corduroy surface gets damaged.
When you dry corduroy pants, you must consider shrinkage and curl. For the most part, air-drying is the safest method, but you can put them in the dryer on low heat if you must. Pull them out while still damp so as not to over-dry them, which can cause them to stiffen up and feel rough. Gently shape the pants and hang them to finish the job. If there are still stubborn wrinkles, you can iron the reverse side on low heat. But be careful not to flatten the wales.
Of course, a big part of a long life for corduroy pants is regular maintenance between washes. Brush off dust with a soft-bristled brush, and brush back the pile after wearing in order to preserve both the distinctiveness of the texture and the appearance. On occasion, spot-clean as needed with a damp cloth and a mild detergent. If a stain does set in, don’t rub, as this will damage the wales. These simple steps will keep your corduroy pants in your wardrobe for the long term.
Seasonal considerations: Wearing corduroy pants year-round
Corduroy pants are typically thought of as a cold-weather item, to be reserved for the fall and winter months, but a different weight and wale count can allow you to wear the pants year-round with a little forethought. A heavier-weight corduroy with a lower wale count can offer excellent insulation during the colder months. Low-wale corduroys can look great with a wool sweater and heavy boot. This is a good stand-in for jeans when you wear them to a place where a denim look wouldn’t be fitting.
Corduroys are comfortable in warmer weather but as the temperature rises, you’ll want to switch to lighter weights and finer wale counts as these are more breathable and can be worn in spring and, with a warm sweater on cool summer evenings. Pair them with light-weight linen shirts or light cotton polo shirts. Keep it casual but refined and put away the T-shirts. For spring and summer, your corduroys should be in light colours: beige and pale blue. If you are taller and slimmer, you should aim for a high wale count, that is, a higher number of cords per inch. Traditional corduroy uses 8-10 wales per inch but this isn’t enough for taller men or those with more active lifestyles.
Accessories can make or break corduroy pants, depending on the season. Matching your corduroys with lots of woolly socks and some sturdy leather shoes or boots makes the look more appropriate for winter; ditto for no-show socks and loafers once the weather warms (matched with sandals, one-toe buckled shoes or canvas sneakers make for an appropriately warm-weather look). Adjusting corduroy weight can work the same way.
