Corduroy is back, and it is one of the easiest ways to add texture to a smart-casual wardrobe. A cord jacket or overshirt looks warmer and more interesting than plain cotton, and it gets better with wear. Here is how to wear corduroy without looking like a 1970s geography teacher.
Cord jacket or cord overshirt?
- Corduroy jacket: a structured outer layer, often in a trucker (denim-jacket) cut. It works as your main jacket on dry autumn and spring days. See the Notting Hill cord jacket.
- Corduroy overshirt: lighter and softer, worn open like a jacket or buttoned like a shirt. See the Barbican cord overshirt.
The golden rule: one cord piece at a time
Unless you are deliberately wearing a matching suit, stick to one corduroy item per outfit. Pair a cord jacket with jeans, chinos or wool trousers, not cord trousers.
5 corduroy outfits for men
1. Cord jacket, white tee, jeans
A taupe or ecru cord jacket over a white heavyweight tee with light or mid-wash straight leg jeans and clean trainers.
2. Cord jacket over a roll neck
A darker cord jacket over a roll neck with grey trousers and Chelsea boots. Smart enough for dinner.
3. Cord overshirt, henley, chinos
Wear the overshirt open over a ribbed henley with stone chinos. Relaxed and textured.
4. Cord overshirt under an overcoat
On cold days, a cord overshirt works as a mid layer under an overcoat or puffer.
5. Cord jacket with a quarter zip
Layer a knitted quarter zip under a cord jacket, with the collar sitting outside. It is a warm, modern alternative to a blazer.
Which colours work best in corduroy?
Earth tones suit the fabric: taupe, olive, forest green, tobacco and ecru. They pair naturally with denim, cream knitwear and brown footwear. Black cord is sleeker and easier to dress up.
Caring for corduroy
Wash inside out on a cool, gentle cycle and avoid tumble drying to protect the ribs (the wales). Smooth the fabric by hand and hang to dry. More tips in our care guide.
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