On Trend: Corduroy
The demand and appeal for corduroy hasn’t diminished since it made a strong comeback into the mainstream market a few years ago. Continuing to make its mark across contemporary streetwear culture, it has been dubbed a key fabric for autumn and winter 2019. Brands such as Carhartt, Dickies, Stan Ray and Gramicci are leading the way when it comes to using the tactile material to encourage a luxurious feel across relaxed, casual silhouettes whilst footwear has also adopted cord for a retro take on classic styles. We’ve selected key pieces from the latest arrivals to suggest the best ways to incorporate corduroy into your established wardrobe.
As part of on going 70’s style revival which has been positively shaking off connotations of corduroy only being enjoyed by geography teachers, the rise in popularity for cord has been no doubt encouraged by continual vintage references in modern media culture. Far from its origins within French royalty, the material is the epitome of quirky and casual retro allure. Seen on pretty much everyone in Stranger Things from the get-go during season one (particularly Lucas), many favourite Wes Anderson characters and Dustin Hoffman in The Graduate. Coats, collared jackets and trousers made from cord seem to reappear in the mainstream during ebbs and flows of the fabrics’ wavering demand. With modern styles promoting a more relaxed take across a variety of shapes, the textile became more mainstream through mass production onwards from the 1920’s and hit a high during the ‘60s and ‘70s. Its natural durability and warmth has kept the fabric in demand, and whilst it may be much more common nowadays, like velvet, cord still retains a certain luxurious allure and enhances casual layering and staple silhouettes.
Carhartt Michigan Cord Chore Coat - Black
Dark colour tones such as black, dark fir and tobacco take centre stage across corduroy for autumn/winter ‘19 styles, in particular from heritage workwear brands Carhartt and Dickies. Continually the leaders in producing the best heavy duty outerwear styles, Carhartt have stepped their coat styles up a notch following on from corduroy collar necklines across their OG Chore Coat, OG Arctic Coat and signature Detroit Jacket. As the latest iteration to arrive, their Michigan Cord Chore Coat has been updated to suit the cold weather with a full cord outer and a soft quilted polyester lining. As one of the brands best recognised styles and one that is destined to be passed down through generations, the coat is simple in its styling with canvas patch pockets on either side of the chest and body, silver customised fastenings and a square woven branded label.
Carhartt Madison Cord Shirt - Dusty Mauve / Cinder
Stan Ray Cord CPO Shirt - Khaki Cord
Opting for a fine textural wale, the Carhartt Madison Cord Shirt is a great starting point for incorporating the fabric through a regular fit, button through silhouette. The curved hemline offers additional coverage whilst subtle branding brings an unassuming aesthetic that allows the quality to speak for itself. Dropping the pockets down slightly and choosing a super fine wale for an almost velvet look, the Stan Ray Cord CPO Shirt is a new version of their classic two pocket military shirt with a boxy fit and square bottom hem that makes it perfect for layering, and slightly lighter in weight compared to the previous two. Sitting alongside more compact wale textures and expanding on their use of retro fabrics, the Dickies Garrison Velvet Jacket uses aubergine and dark navy coloured velvet to achieve a similar luxe finish with a subtle sheen against a classic bomber style silhouette with elasticated trims.
Gramicci Corduroy Gramicci Pants - Charcoal
Retaining climbing-focused features such as a flex-fit adjustable waistband, gusseted crotch and deep reach pockets, Gramicci have reworked their famous self entitled Gramicci Pants in black and charcoal coloured corduroy which not only suits the fabrics current popularity, but also further enhances their ongoing focus on creating tough, purposeful clothing. Similarly, their organic cotton trousers feature all of the same key details and highlight the brands ongoing mission to improve their manufacturing system in support of their love for and inspiration from the great outdoors.
Dickies Cloverport Cord Work Trousers - Forest
Likewise, the Dickies Cloverport Cord Work Trousers have a comparable look but are cut to a more refined slim fit, straight leg profile. The forest colourway is more low key than the rust edition - a key ‘70s tone that feels very Once Upon A Time In Hollywood - but either can be utilised for their old school charm to replace everyday jeans or work style pants. If you’re into the idea of a complete corduroy look - and why not? - you can pair the Cloverport trousers with the Dickies Ivel Cord Shirt which is slim fitting with a prominent wale surface with a silicon wash for a slightly worn look.
Carhartt Harlem Cap - Cold Blue / Dark Navy
Whilst darker earthy tones are in the majority for AW19, Carhartt have also experimented with brighter shades of cold blue and dusty fuchsia for their Harlem Cap which will appeal to anyone seeking a brighter accessory. If you’re wanting just a touch more corduroy, The Quiet Life have created classic 5 Panel Camper Caps in tan and navy colourways from fine wale corduroy with contrasting woven centre front labels and double ventilation eyelets on either side of the crown. Additionally, Polar’s Corduroy Script Logo Cap features more subtle branding, against a six-panel silhouette, on the front and along the top edge of the self-fabric adjuster.
Converse JP Ox Wide Wale Cord Shoes - Black / White / Black
Stepney Workers Club Dellow Oversized Cord Shoes - Tan
As far as footwear, both the Converse JP Ox Wide Wale Cord Shoes and Stepney Workers Club Dellow Oversized Cord Shoes present 1970’s aesthetics across low-cut silhouettes that carry classic sport shoe vibes. With minimal detailing on the uppers, curved fabric tongues and lace up fastenings, additional attention can be seen on the outsoles which only further enhances each design with the signature Jack Purcell ‘smile’ insert on the Converse and Stepney Workers Club simple unity handshake illustration against a wrap over label.
Whether you’re drawn to cord for its classic appeal or practicality, the abundance of styles in which the fabric is now being utilised means you can easily incorporate it either subtly or across statement outerwear pieces. Additionally, thanks to its ability to be continually reinvented, the transitional appeal of the fabric means that whatever you choose for this season, you’ll no doubt be able to work it into future seasons without the fear of it losing its edge. Looking to the year ahead, ongoing ‘90s influences mean corduroy is here to stay and remains relevant within streetwear through relaxed silhouettes, sportswear inspired aesthetics and lightly tailored details.
Shop the corduroy collection at Flatspot.
