One thing women don’t seem to get is that if you have a large derriere, you shouldn’t be wearing the tighter styles of cords. I don’t understand that myself because the fabric just makes you look kinda fat and messy. It’s not cute. Get a size that fits; nobody is looking at the label except the wearer!

Have to say that I work with a lot of attorneys, male and female, who spend a lot of time at the office (12-14hrs) and their default in the winter is thin-wale cords, a wool or cashmere sweater when they are not in court.

Those dark rinse jeans are anything but business casual. They just look stupid on men and women who are trying TOO HARD.

1. They’re comfortable
2. Many contemporary styles are SUPER cute. If you don’t agree you obviously haven’t seen a recent j crew catalogue
3. They ARE warmer then denim. Where do you get the idea that just because two things are made of the same material they yield the same amount of warmth? Obviously thickness is a contingency, but lets see… paper and cardboard are both made of wood pulp and recycled fiber, but one is more resilient than the other, no?

And, in my opinion, the model with the grey pants looks terrible: they’re too tight or too stretchy or maybe it’s velour like you said. I like cords with more of a fitted trouser look.

I’m not trying to bash your writing or anything, this is the first article I’ve read of yours (and probably last… no offense I was actually just googling whether I should buy them a size smaller in case they stretch out before I waste $80 on a size 0 that becomes a size 2 after wearing them all day.) I just adamantly disagree with your 90% of your opinions on cords ;p

Also, if anything I’ve never found a cord BLAZER that doesn’t look masculine. I’ve never really looked because I don’t wear blazers (more of a cardigan/casual Jackie girl) but the few I have tried on all seemed to have padded shoulders and a weird fit

I’m surprised by how many people don’t like them. I have a caramel colored pair that fit just like jeans. I also have a dark olive pair that have a very fine wale, more like velvet. Both have a bit of stretch, so hopefully no issues with butts or knees sticking out.

I have to admit I do have a hard time pairing my cords. Even though they’re not bulky in cut, I find most tops look a little off. I’ve taken to wearing them with a very slim fit long black or dark brown merino turtleneck, a skinny belt and heels. I wouldn’t think twice about wearing them to the office, although I work in a very casual environment (I see Birkenstocks, sundresses, flip flops, faded jeans, but that’s a story for another day).

I have to admit, this post got me thinking. I looked at my cords with a closer eye. I’m going to keep my dark olive pair, because I do think they look nice. But I’m not so sure about my caramel pair anymore. They’re comfortable and I love the color, but they never quite work.

Thank you for this post. I think it helped articulate why I sometimes have a hard time with cords. I’m not ready to get rid of the idea all together, but I’ll consider them more carefully. Corduroy skirts are a great idea. I’m drooling over the vintage cord pencil skirt (in glazed pecan) on J. Crew!

I think denim in the workplace might need to be a future debate…

All that aside I only have one pair of corduroy pants in a dark olive green that I wear for running errands. They were a closet orphan until I finally took some of your other advice and hemmed them to the perfect pant length. Now they are a weekend favorite in mild weather. I agree they are ultra casual, but I love how they look with a cute pair of sandals, a nice tee, and my classic dark denim jacket.

I love cords, and I don’t consider them to be “subcasual” so long as they are 1) well-maintained and well-tailored, 2) neutral- or earth-toned, and 3) paired with the appropriate shirt, shoes and accessories. I don’t think well-tailored cords look manly at all – and the vivid red pair I used to own looked great, didn’t wear oddly, and made my butt look fantastic.

I work for a major multinational corporation, and while I am not allowed to wear jeans, I would definitely wear cords (even though I agree that dark wash jeans can be equally as stylish). It would be a sight better than the super short skirts, untucked button-downs, and pleated khakis I see every day! I think the view of business casual these days removes the “casual” and replaces it with “boring”, because seriously? Wearing trousers and more trousers every day, or having to switch to knee-length skirts (which I don’t wear), is pretty lame. Business dress is nice, and business casual is like they’re making an attempt, but gosh, I look like a total tool in my work clothes even though they fit well.

Eventually, maybe I’ll change my mind about courduroy, but today is not that day.