The corduroy debate

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Angie is co-founder of YLF and its resident fashion stylist.

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The corduroy debate

— by Angie

on September 11, 2008

I’m not a fan of corduroy pants. They look masculine and it doesn’t take long for them to start looking worn. They also develop protruding “knees and bottoms” that you can live without. Then there is their “iridescent carpet” effect. You won’t convince me that wide-waled, corduroy trousers look nice on women. They are a stylish no-no. Five pocket jeans in narrow-waled corduroy are closer, but still no cigar.

A pair of jeans in a dark colour like blue, black, charcoal or cream looks infinitely better than corduroy in any ensemble. The argument that corduroy feels warmer than denim and therefore perfect for cold weather is interesting because both fabrics are 95 – 100% cotton. (I have yet to come across a pair of cords with a wool content). But corduroy is softer and cozier than denim which might offer the illusion of extra warmth.

I can manage to get my head around a pair of cream, ultra narrow–waled corduroy pants that are cut like jeans because they look more feminine and aren’t iridescent. But the J. Crew cream version that’s available in stores right now is thin and see-through, so bang goes that idea. Tory Burch has a beautiful cream pair, but $200 is steep for a pair of casual cords.

I’m not dead set against corduroy fabric. I’m all for corduroy skirts and cheeky cord jackets as long as the wale is narrow and the styling is pretty. These are items that are undoubtedly feminine. The look is casual, a little boho and a wee bit rugged in a wonderful way.

One last fact about corduroy pants. They are smarter than sweats, but more casual than a pair of dark wash jeans. Corduroy pants are NOT a business casual option. If your colleagues are wearing cords to work because they’re not allowed to wear jeans, help them out. They’re actually a lot more casual than they thought they were.

Bring on the corduroy debate. I know many of you love cord pants and will continue to wear them. I’m going to be hard to sway, but as Frasier would say, “I’m listening”.

The model on the left is wearing a pair of charcoal grey, skinny corduroy pants. The ensemble looks fab because the pant fabric looks more like grey denim or stretch velour. It’s hard to see that these pants are waled. The green jacket and yellow skirt are lovely items to have in corduroy, and especially nice when paired with denim.

Autumn 2008 · Casual Wear

88 comments · Add a comment

Sarah

Thank you, Angie! I’m still considering a pair of cords but will take your advice to heart. If I do get some I will definitely go with cream or dark grey and watch the thickness of the fabric.
I have the yellow cord skirt and I absolutely love it. So maybe I won’t even need corduroy pants.

September 11, 2008 at 7:06 am

Fran

Agree agree agree. Nothing makes you look more like a lumberjack, and not in a good way, than corduroy pants. I used to have a pair of wide wale mauve cords in the 70s. Can’t imagine what I saw in them then. But I was 12.

September 11, 2008 at 7:17 am

Rhonda

I love babies in cordoroy overalls!

I had a pair of cream, narrow-waled maternity pants. I cringe whenever I see the pictures. No more for me!

September 11, 2008 at 7:22 am

Meredith

When I was in elementary school, I used to love wearing cords because of the pleasing “swoosh, swoosh” noise they made when rushing down the hall to recess. I have my suspicions that this is party why they still exist today. But alas, I agree with Angie, it is not the most stylish option for grown ups. Perhaps what we need is a stylish looking fabric that can give us another lovely sound as we rush from our offices to the bathroom.

PS-love my cord jacket. Maybe I’ll put it on this morning!

September 11, 2008 at 7:23 am

Tiffany

Wow…I have always considered corduroy to be more dressy than jeans. Huh. I have a pair of olive-green cords that were perfect for office wear back when I worked in an office.

September 11, 2008 at 7:24 am

Marlene

(website)

I have several pairs of fine wale cord pants. They are kept striclty for my mostly casual lifestyle as a SAHM. I find that yes, they do look very casual but they are also neat and tidy compared to sweat pants so I at least feel pulled together for my day-to-day casual, SAHM routines. I am finding that even when I dress casual, I want to be pulled together and I use my set of “rules” for color and fit. Even my toss about t-shirts must conform to my fit rules now!

But I do agree with Angies opinion that cord pants are in the casual category of clothing. I would never consider using them in my Smart Casual outfits. Ironically, I am keeping my jeans pristine for my “dress up” events when I need to pull together my Smart Casual outfits.

When you dress Casual 75% of the time, I find an assortment of cord pants fits in nicely. 24% of my time requires Smart Casual and the final 1% is everything else…Business Casual/Business Formal and all the variations of Fancy.

September 11, 2008 at 7:25 am

Carolyn

Angie thank you for explaining the reasons why cords do not work. I like to have variety in my wardrobe, but the truth is, by eliminating some options, I can get rid of so-so outfits and really strive to look my best every day.

September 11, 2008 at 7:30 am

Joy

I’ve been looking forward to this topic and agree with you now that I think about it. I’m glad that corduroy jackets and skirts make the cut. I don’t own any but like the idea of the casual look that isn’t a knit and a change from denim.

September 11, 2008 at 7:34 am

Tanya

I was waiting for this debate! *rubbing hands*

First I must say that I actually in general mostly agree with you Angie! ( surprise). I have a couple of fitted jackets, two skirts and a vest in corduroy and love wearing them in fall/winter season. Once I break them out I feel that autumn has really arrived.

Now onto corduroy pants. I agree that they are more casual than jeans. I also strongly prefer the fine whale to wide one. I have quite a few pairs of corduroy pants, some are 5-pocket jeans type, and some are trouser cut, but all are fine wale. To me, corduroy does feel warmer than jeans, softer for sure. Another thing that I like about them is that they come in so many pretty colors. I would feel silly in eggplant or teal jeans, but I like ( and have) those colors in my corduroys.

I know that they won’t make a smart casual outfit, but I think that they can make a cute casual one. For my lifestyle – I work in a lab where everyone dresses sub-casualy, I think it works. I would not wear them though if I worked in business casual office, and not even for attempt on smart casual outfit. But for a freezing day on the East Coast in my lab , my comfiest, warmest outfit is cashmere sweater, corduroy pants, faux-fur lined wedge suede boots and down parka. I still feel infinitely better dresses than co-workers that would come in hoodies, fleece sweatpants and Uggs.

Those grey J Crew skinny cords are on my fall shopping list. I’ll me also looking for the right cream pair ( I’ll skip J Crew per your recommendation for that).

Finally. would you put pants made of cotton velvet in the same category?
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/29.....8&P=1

September 11, 2008 at 7:34 am

Joy

I second Tanya’s question about cotton velvet being in the same category. Is it a better choice than corduroy for jackets?

September 11, 2008 at 7:41 am

Lannie

I have one pair of fine-wale charcoal corduroy pants which, while I don’t wear them often, I definitely like. I agree that they are more casual than jeans, but I never try to dress them up anyway. That being said, I always balk at the sight of cords in spring/summer- it just looks so out of place to me.
But corduroy jackets? Looooove. I’m on the hunt for a chocolate brown cord blazer for fall. Corduroy blazer, jeans, canvas sneakers and scarf becomes a sort of uniform for me in the fall. Very casual, but it works for my lifestyle.

September 11, 2008 at 8:14 am

Munequita

I HATE corduroy pants and generally dislike the overall look of the material, but granted I grew up in a tropical country so they were never used there! That is funny to find out that they are not warmer than denim and that they are more casual than denim. Interesting points to know!

September 11, 2008 at 8:17 am

Kyle

The last time I wore corduroy was approximately 1979. Never again for me.

September 11, 2008 at 8:18 am

hmm, I have two pairs of corduroy pants. One is very, very similar to the one you pictured. Charcoal grey and almost legging tight. I like the corduroy there, as I think the texture disguises the clinginess, without being stiff like a denim.

The other is cargo-styled and baggy with medium wales. I use them essentially as sweat pants, on weekend and the like. I do think they’re cute, but only in that sweatpant way. They are some of my husband’s favorites, but I don’t know if that counts for or against them

September 11, 2008 at 8:35 am

Pat

My first reaction to this post – I have not worn corduroy since junior high (1979) and I do not think I will, ever again!

Although I did buy a pair of brown cotton velvet pants last year…hmmmm…after reading the comments above, maybe I need to retract my statement.

September 11, 2008 at 9:00 am

Patience

I bought two pairs of jcrew cords last year and I’m afraid they will be too big this year. I agree with Tanya about the fact that cords are a great opportunity to bring color into your pants. I think jcrew has the best color selection but I have foresworn jcrew pants because they stretch out too much for me. So I don’t plan on buying cords any time soon although I have worn them in the past. I have plenty of jeans which I love. As for other corduroy items, I don’t generally feel attracted to them at the moment but I will not say never. I just won’t be looking.

September 11, 2008 at 9:00 am

lori

i am a fan of the cord blazer – it looks casual yet kicks up a going-to-pick-the-kids-up-from-school look…and it’s great for a fall morning when the heavy winter coats don’t apply.

September 11, 2008 at 9:04 am

Joelle

I’ve always associated corduroy with the rustic English-country-squire look, which is not my style, so I don’t own anything in corduroy. From the photos Angie posted, however, I’m starting to entertain the idea of adding a corduroy skirt or jacket to my wardrobe. I love the saturated colors in that green jacket and yellow skirt! Normally when I think of corduroy I think of dark, dull colors, like brown, olive green, or burgundy. But now I’m thinking that a corduroy item in a bright color, with its plush texture might be an interesting accent piece in an outfit.

September 11, 2008 at 9:07 am

Nan

I have a camel pair that I have worn for years. Similar to a Victoria Secret pair http://www2.victoriassecret.co.....rfnbr=2419 I wear a thick brown sweater and flat heeled brown suede boots. I usually wrap a brown/blue/cream colored scarf around my neck for a punch of color and I am ready to go. I feel more dressed than I would in a pair of jeans.

September 11, 2008 at 9:14 am

Antje

I’m so curious to hear Angie’s take on the stretchy cotton velvet pants. I don’t wear them myself (don’t find them flattering on me, too much hip and too many bulges…) but I absolutely adore them on women with a slimmer built and a great butt.
I’m neutral on the curdoroy pants. I don’t have any (nor plan to get any) but understand the color benefit as well as the feeling of cozyness they provide. I can envision them being part of a smart casual outfit though it would take more effort than with jeans.

September 11, 2008 at 9:23 am

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Such articulate lasses. My word!

Ha ladies! I use to wear cords all the time as an infant and a child. Sort of part of growing up in the 70’s. I brought in beautiful embroidered pink and cream corduroy dungarees for babies when I bought for an infant’s collection. I’m all for corduroy on kids, Rhonda. Younger children look GREAT in corduroy.

M, you crack me up. I adore you in your cord jacket. I love you in your cord jacket too, Lori. Sarah, you look wonderful in the yellow cord J Crew skirt. Perhaps you need another colour (hint, hint). You know I love you in skirts.

Marlene, I love the way you’ve divided up your lifestyle dress codes into percentages. This is precisely what I do with clients and it works like a charm. You’ll be wearing jeans a lot in Seattle. Almost 11 months of the year.

Tanya, I’ve been waiting for those hands to rub! Thanks for your great point of view and for cutting me some slack. I hear you on the colour intensity and comfy integrity that cords can provide. Pretty cord colours look delicious when they’re on display. I have no doubt you’ll pull off cord jeans with a certain je-ne-sais-quoi . If anyone can, it’s you.

I rather fancy the look of stretch velour pants in lighter colours if the fit is fab (no sagging crotch). Very Gloria Vanderbilt (does anyone remember that brand?) Dark colours pick up lint till the cows come home and seem unpractical though. The ones you’ve linked to would look nice in grey. This item gets my thumbs up.

C, interesting point of about wales disguising clinginess. I actually perceive precisely the opposite. Wales seem to highlight clinginess unless the pants are a baggy fit.

I use to have a cream cord jacket. The sleeves started to pill so I passed it on. Cord jackets can be fabulous if the styling is feminine and a little retro.

September 11, 2008 at 9:56 am

Laura

Okay, this is all well and good, point taken, and my cream AT Loft cords are headed for Goodwill … but, has anyone found a reasonable alternative to cream-colored cords for fall? Seriously, even Tanya the super sleuth shopper had a hard time coming up with anything!

Re: cord jackets, I tried this cream cord jacket at White House/ Black Market or White Market/ Black House, whatever that store is. It’s very girly, with ruffle and ribbon trim. Pretty cute, actually. Maybe I should put it on my buying list for next month?
http://www.whitehouseblackmark.....#038;size=

September 11, 2008 at 10:28 am

Shana

I enjoy wearing corduroy. I own a couple of corduroy skirts – a J. Crew one in a dark orangey-red and a vintage navy blue floral from my mother-in-law. I am definitely on the lookout from a cute cord blazer this fall. I always have a pair of chocolate brown cords (fine wale) in my closet for fall. I replace them when they start to look worn out so I really don’t see the protruding knees & butt effect on mine (although I have seen it on others). I usually pair them with sweaters or a wool blazer, short patent leather boots and feel perfectly put together. Like Tanya said, I would feel funny wearing dark brown jeans so this is the perfect way for me to use this color in a casual way in the fall or winter. I disagree that they look masculine – especially when they are now available in all the same cuts as jeans – skinny, bootcut, flare and with varying levels of stretch. Cords have come a long way since the 70’s! Honestly, I put them in the same category of jeans in terms of their dressiness. Just because jeans have a $200+ price tag does not suddenly put them levels above other casual pants. I agree that they are not business casual but I think if jeans can be dressed to be smart casual, cords should be too!

September 11, 2008 at 10:29 am

Real Style Real People

(website)

I agree that they can look more casual than dark wash jeans but I think there are some exceptions. I own a tan pair of narrow-waled corduroys from Banana that are a trouser cut and look velvety, that I have worn to work and they looked more dressy. But I agree, corduroys are not all they are cracked up to be !

September 11, 2008 at 10:56 am

Sal

(website)

I’d like to second everything Fran said. Especially because she invoked lumberjacks, and that’s just spot-on.

I own one corduroy skirt, and it has such a busy print on it, you’d never know it was corduroy. And that’s the way (uh huh, uh huh) I like it.

September 11, 2008 at 11:00 am

Lisa

This is one thing I agree with you on, Angie. I think ’cause I grew up in the 1980’s, I just don’t like corduroys. I remember they made this strange sound when I walked, for one Hee hee!

September 11, 2008 at 11:16 am

Shari

I agree with Angie’s view on corduroy – not so much that it is too casual for work, but more because it is not flattering on most people. Believe me, in my office corduroy would be a step up from what a lot of people wear!!!

I had to chuckle at Pat’s post because I had the same reaction. I remember a brown pair I had circa 1979, worn with a stretchy metal snake belt and some sort of button down tucked in. Rock on!

Shari

September 11, 2008 at 11:20 am

Julia

Ha, I was wondering when this blog would come out.

First I agree 100% that cords are not smart casual and has no place in the work wardrobe.

However, I like the casualness it brings when it’s needed. I like to pair them with denim jacket and converses for a picnic or walk in the park. They may not last as long as a pair of good jeans but they adds variety to the casual wardrobe. I have just altered my straight cords (cream and dark grey from last year’s JCrew collection) to wear with my new Chucks. I’ll take a picture and post when the weather cools. Hopefully it’ll get a good AAR.

September 11, 2008 at 11:49 am

Lena

I never found corduroy jeans and pants very comfortable. I find them more restrictive, and they stretch out earlier than denim. I do have a flippy corduroy skirt from Boden and a cream jacket from Gap (before it went downhill). The jacket is fitted, with a mandarin collar and military inspired metal buttons. I get a lot of wear out of it.

September 11, 2008 at 12:07 pm

redhead

Too many bad memories of cords in the 70’s. I will never ever wear them again.

September 11, 2008 at 12:18 pm

Kristers

I’m w/ Lena–always found corduroy jeans to be uncomfortable and bulky. Not to mention I felt like I looked like Paddington Bear in them.

September 11, 2008 at 12:41 pm

Sarah

I actually have never owned a pair of corduroy pants, so I can only speak from what I’ve seen, not my own experience. First of all, let me say that I don’t see what the big deal is. Not everybody lives in Settle and can wear dark jeans to work every day. I certainly don’t think cords look masculine; if they are cut just like jeans they look just like jeans from a distance, and I like the texture from up close. Having never had them, I can’t say about them looking worn soon. But I have had two corduroy jackets for 4-5 years and they are still going strong. About the protruding knees and bottoms problem, I’ve returned jeans because that happened after one washing. *sigh*

I don’t see why you put cords a step bellow jeans, Angie. Neither are business casual, but I think both can be smart casual. Basically, I agree with Shana. If I had any cords I would wear them just like I wear jeans. So I guess I’m not swayed by this post, but it doesn’t have any practical application to me, since I don’t own a pair of cords and can’t afford any right now.

September 11, 2008 at 1:44 pm

Stephanie

(website)

I hate corduroy pants – absolutely hate them! I’ve never minded them on other people but always have really resented any pair I’ve bought for myself. They look like fun pants to wear to the beach or on the weekend and then within half an hour of wearing them, they are a size too big and look like oversized men’s pants. UGH! They are always so tempting in their fun colors and can be found at prices that are a steal but I will never be fooled again. They always stretch and get baggy in the bottoms. I do have a corduroy maternity skirt that looked and stayed pretty smart, but that won’t be worn again any time soon.

September 11, 2008 at 2:07 pm

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

The debate is hotting up. Not as many corduroy-converts as I had expected.

I appreciate your candid opinion, Sarah. Don’t quite know what you mean by “not everybody lives in Seattle and can wear dark jeans to work every day.” Care to help me out?

I’m not convinced that wearing cords meets the smart casual requirement. Price is of little consequence. A pair of $200 L.A.M.B cords can look way more casual than a pair of $70 AT jeans. It’s all in the look and integrity of the fabric. As for jeans stretching out after one wash and wear, that’s unfortunately inferior quality denim.

Perhaps it is a bad 70’s memory thing Kyle and Redhead. I really hear you on that point.

Julia, we’ve seen you in your cream cords and they looked great. I mistook them for cream jeans in the photo! I liked the ensemble you created. Cream cords cut like jeans are my only exception so far. Perhaps you’ll convince me that your grey cords look fab too

September 11, 2008 at 3:32 pm

Olar

“The argument that corduroy feels warmer than denim and therefore perfect for cold weather is interesting because both fabrics are 95 – 100% cotton. (I have yet to come across a pair of cords with a wool content). But corduroy is softer and cozier than denim which might offer the illusion of extra warmth.”

To me this is not an argument but a fact I know from my experience in Canadian winters. Denim and corduroy have the same composition but different “structure” which make them different things. Corduroy is a pile weave and it is definitely warmer than denim. But I only really love white and cream corduroy pants.

September 11, 2008 at 3:34 pm

shiny

I do not own any cordoroy skirts or blazers. But, before I discovered my perfect-fitting jeans (Citizens), I lived for years in cords. I agree, not all of them looked so fab – but I needed pants other than dress slacks and khakis – and they fit better than any of the jeans I tried on during that time.

Protruding knees and bottoms? Let me assure you, the wrong pair of jeans can certainly have this very same effect!!!

Iridescent effect? Yes, that happens – if you put them in the dryer and don’t treat them with the same delicate, turn-inside-out, air-dry treatment you do your premium jeans.

Wide-whale vs fine-whale: I have both. My two favorite pairs are:

1) Kenneth Cole wide-whale bootcut, dark brown, no front or back pockets, wide waistband. I wear these and always get compliments and people remarking, “Have you lost weight?” They do wonderful things for my butt, and lock and load in my gut. Their only problem: they’re not PPL for heels (I had them hemmed before I discovered YLF!). I’ve had them for about 4 years and worn them constantly, washing them gently and with loving care, and no iridescent effect at all. Oh, and I bought them at Marshall’s for a song.

2) BR fine-whale skinny cords like the photo in your blog: but in a cream. The only thing is they are a bit too low rise for my personal comfort level; however, they work perfect paired with a long cream cowl-neck tunic sweater for a monochromatic look.

When the weather gets cooler, I’ll post photos!

P.s. Hubby is reading over my shoulder and he says to mention how fab he looks in his wide-whale flat-front cords… he wears them with some of his favorite vintage sweaters.

September 11, 2008 at 4:11 pm

shiny

Olar’s post just reminded me:

I also have a pair of flat-front, wide leg winter-white cords that I wore constantly and always thought looked awesome… but I was looking through some old photo albums the other day and realized eeekkk, they did no favor to my butt… so they are going into the give-away pile!

September 11, 2008 at 4:14 pm

Maya

I agree with you Angie. Long before I knew anything about style or fashion, I knew there was just something I didn’t like about corduroy pants. This was when I was a freshman in high school and cords were all the rage. I bought a pair to be cool and then ended up wearing them only when the rest of my clothes needed to be washed. Good to know I had SOME sense back then.

However, I recently acquired a fabulous red corduroy miniskirt which I plan to wear very regularly with gray opaque tights this fall. I also used to have a really nice cord jacket, but I can’t find it anywhere

September 11, 2008 at 5:19 pm

Laura

(website)

Wow, I’m surprised there are so many corduroy pant haters out there. I don’t wear them a lot anymore (see below comment about warmth, and now I live in a warmish part of the US) but I’ve *always* thought of them as more dressy than anything in denim. Maybe a very casually-cut jeans style cord would be equivalent to a dark wash trouser jean…just. To me, denim is the most casual fabric out there, and everything else is a step or several dressier than it.

Olar is right; a decent pair of cords is much warmer than jeans – cords are generally thicker and also much denser and brushed due to the structure of the cords. Fabric content, in this case, is not the whole story.

September 11, 2008 at 5:43 pm

Debbie

I bought 2 pair last season from JCrew. A brown and a gray fine wale—-

They are probably headed to Goodwill.

September 11, 2008 at 6:18 pm

Musings of a Housewife

(website)

I am in TOTAL agreement on this one. But I still love my flip-flops.

September 11, 2008 at 7:33 pm

rosie

I will probably be the only one to say this, but I like corduroy pants. I live in a cold state, and they are much warmer than denim because they are woven differently. The nap makes them warmer.

I have a couple pair and I wear them to work, and I don’t think they look terrible. I am also hideously critical of my own look, so trust me that I have been harsh on myself and these pants. They have never been stretched out at the knee or bottom.

I also don’t think they look masculine, but it gets so cold here that everyone is wearing heavy coats, boots, etc. and corduroy pants fit in fine. I have always thought they were dressier than denim.

September 11, 2008 at 7:48 pm

WendyB

(website)

Love that yellow skirt. Had some bad experiences with corduroy in the ’70s though.

September 11, 2008 at 8:58 pm

Nafisa

hi Angie,
I am with Tanya on this one I agree that they can’t be dressed up like jeans but they can look good and are really comfortable. I had a pair of brown cords from Jcrew and I totally wore them out, they fit me well. I was just looking at purple and red cords on the jcrew site last night, and only stopped because i wanted to check out the colors in person. If you take care while washing them, cold wash and line dry, they hold their shape and color.
I am inspired by your blog entry to get a cord blazer If I go with cords, you can tell me if I got it right or not

September 11, 2008 at 10:55 pm

Nicole

Hmmm I’m still not convinced. (I still think it’s an East Coast/West Coast thing.) Here is why I think cords are warmer than denim. The fibers that make up the cord wale traps air and air is an insulator. Even though it’s only a fractional amount of air pockets built around the fibers, it’s still air that is not present in denim.

I agree that cords are casual, but I dont think all cords are more casual than all jeans. A faded pair of jeans that you’ve had for years and love because they are so comfy is more casual than a fresh pair of fine wale trouser, skinny or even 5 pocket cords. Ironically, as much as I am an advocate of cords, I only own one pair. A very dark blue (it may actually be black), ATL jean style cords. I will probably have to pass them along because they will be too big this winter.

September 12, 2008 at 4:42 am

Risa

I won’t wear corduroy pants. Plain and simple. Like many of you I think it is just a left over fear of growing up in the 80’s. And hearing that “noise” they made when you walked. When you are a kid that was funny, but the thought of hearing it now would just tell me that my thighs are doing things they shouldn’t. YICKS!

But, I did just recently purchase two beautiful corduroy skirts for this fall/winter. One in a deep chocolate and the other in a beautiful soft gray. Both are fine wale and hit just above the knee. I cant wait to get them going with some tights and boots and fab accessories. I have a feeling they will quickly become go to items in my fall and winter closet. And best part, is they don’t make noise when you walk!

September 12, 2008 at 5:00 am

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

A few more in favour of corduroy. Tanya, Julia, Naf, Nicole and Shiny, we see your stylish dress sense on the forum daily. I’m therefore looking forward to seeing your corduroy ensembles. Throw in a pair of cream cord pants and I’ll be over the moon. Better yet, a cord skirt or jacket 

Rosie, I’d love to see you in your cord pants too. You’ve got me curious.

September 12, 2008 at 7:26 am

Amy

(website)

I like cords for the fall and winter, but never wide wale! Never ever! But Boden has some cute cords that make for a nice change from jeans on the weekends. I really dislike colored jeans, but colored cords work for me for whatever reason.

I would also wear them as business casual when I don’t have any meetings and am just hiding in my office. Why? It’s not because cords are dressier than jeans, it’s because we can get away with wearing cords, while we can’t get away with jeans. It’s rebellion against the establishment! I work in an environment where we smart women know we could have really cute work ensembles that could incorporate stylish, dark wash jeans with pretty tops and heels. But our dress code absolutely forbids jeans Monday through Thursday, even though we know we’d look dressier than other people wearing their pleated Dockers and golf shirts.

So cords allow us to say “neener neener” to The Man. Some days, when it’s dark and pouring rain and I know I’ll be sitting at my desk most of the day, I don’t want to put on my dry clean only trousers or a skirt. Cords allow me to dress in way that suits me best for my day’s tasks without violating the precious dress code.

September 12, 2008 at 9:10 am

Debbie M

Wow, I did not know cords were considered to be so casual, especially not more casual than jeans (according to many people). Also, I didn’t know that wide wales were more casual than fine wales. That’s why I come here! I’m glad I don’t have corduroy pants anymore.

Actually, I don’t have corduroy anything. But some of those blazers in rich dark colors do look lovely in corduroy. I would never get them just to wear with jeans. Could you wear them with khakis? (I mean stylishly.) If so, could this be part of a casual business look?

Asides: I never liked the sound they make when you walk, the same why I don’t like the clicking of high-heels on hard floors. Also I will never get velvet bottoms of any kind because they smash up funny when you sit on them and they wear funny over time. I agree with Nicole that corduroy may leave more space for air (between the wales and inside the fuzzy bits), and air is an insulator, so maybe that’s why they feel warmer. (Would they feel even warmer inside out?)

September 12, 2008 at 9:49 am

ACK

So much corduroy-hating! In defense of the humble corduroy: I have two pairs of black, thin-wale, trouser-style corduroy pants from J. Crew (purchased last winter) that I wear all of the time to work. I’m a professor, so maybe my work environment is more casual than most, but I think corduroy trousers look fine for work attire. My black corduroy trousers look more like velvet, and they certainly don’t make any noise when I walk! They have a bit of stretch so they fit me perfectly, the black stays nice and black (no fading), and they never seem to get baggy in the tush or knees.

Pop on a silky blouse, a charcoal cardigan, and a pair of my corduroy trousers, and I’m good to go! What’s not to like? Maybe if all of you haters think of corduroy as “cut velvet,” then you will come around :).

September 12, 2008 at 9:53 am

Sarah

Sorry about hotting up the debate, Angie. I was tired and grumpy yesterday. But I’ll try to explain what I meant when I said “not everybody lives in Seattle and can wear dark jeans to work every day.”

First of all, from what I’ve read here, Seattle seams to have a very specific type of weather. Correct me if I’m wrong, but I think it’s usually 50-70 degrees and rainy in your neck of the woods. Sometimes it gets warm enough that you don’t want your trench, and sometimes cold enough that you need a winter coat, but that’s not the norm. Where I live in northern Missouri, the weather has a lot more variation. One day it will be 62 degrees and raining, and the next it will be 85 degrees and sunny. It has even randomly snowed in the middle of April here, two years in a row. I can’t wear jeans year round here. The weather is too hot for jeans all summer, and awfully cold around February and March. While I don’t own any cords, I would consider buying a pair that look like jeans for the time of year when I want something warmer.

Secondly is the dress code issue. My school and many people’s jobs do not allow jeans, except on Fridays. I don’t have a job at the moment, but when I did I could not wear jeans to work ever. I’ve never heard or cords being banned in an institution’s dress code. Perhaps I’m ignorant, but to me they often look like jeans. If I can’t wear jeans in the winter, but cords are allowed I would definitely go for the cords.

Does that make sense? Hopefully I’m more articulate and less snappy today than I was yesterday. What I really need is a blog entry on business casual for women. Do you have one coming any time soon? That would be great.

Side note: Debbie M makes a good point on the cotton velvet pants. I’ve never had any, but I had two cotton velvet skirts in high school and had to get rid of them when they had worn spots on the butt.

September 12, 2008 at 12:50 pm

Linda

Aww, I love corduroy! So cozy and fall-like! I do not have any corduroy pants, but that’s because I have almost no pants at all (I did almost buy a pair last winter, but someone else snapped them up while I was thinking it over). I have a lovely dark green stretchy corduroy skirt from Anthropologie.

September 12, 2008 at 2:11 pm

Claire

I agree with Olar: there is more to warmth than fiber type. Wide-wale corduroy is usually thicker than denim, and may have more little air-trapping pockets in the weave, thus providing better insulation.

September 12, 2008 at 3:44 pm

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

This corduroy debate is rivaling the flip-flop debate:

http://youlookfab.com/2008/07/.....-everyday/

I hear you on the warmth aspect of corduroy. I understand it’s fabric construction and this makes perfect sense.

Sarah, make no apologies! A business casual post for women is on my list just for you. My impression of Seattle weather is different. It’s just like Western European weather (not very warm for most of the year). It does not rain as frequently as you might expect, but it’s grey a lot of the time. (But not as bad as London). It’s cold in Winter and Autumn comes around quickly. It can be 80 degrees one day and 61 the next, but sans the humidity. In fact it snowed in April here this year! We have cold Winters but not nearly as snowy as in your neck of the woods. Between 30 and 40 degrees is an average Winter day excluding the wind chill factor. We wear jackets, coats, trenches and closed shoes with socks a lot. It’s rarely too warm for jeans if you run cold like me.

Back to the cord debate. I hear the ladies who feel they can look “casually fab” in their cords. As far as it looking smarter than a great pair of dark jeans, you won’t convince me. I saw two women in corduroy pants this week. One in grey and one in brown. They both worked in business casual environments and it was not casual Friday. Not so fab. There was nothing business appropriate about their look. They had tried to smarten up their ensembles with heels and a blouse/sweater, but it didn’t work. Wool pants would have been 100% better. Dark jeans would have looked better!

I’d like to reiterate that I am NOT a corduroy-hater. I like the look of cord skirts and jackets and encourage the casual look for clients. It’s the pants I’m not so fond of (unless they are cream). This is not a personal preference, it’s a completely general one.

September 13, 2008 at 8:57 am

Tanya2

I am with Tanya and the other fans of corduroy. My pair is from J. Crew, and I love them as a way to add color to my wardrobe. Like ACK, I put on a dressier top and some jewelry and don’t feel the least bit like a lumberjack.

September 15, 2008 at 9:53 am

Johanna

I don’t actually own any corduroy, now that I think about it. I do wear a lot of jeans, but that’s because I have a horse and am a student. Well, that’s not quite the way I wanted it to sound, but anyhow, jeans are more practical.

I used to live in the UK so I’ve had a bit of experience with very luxurious wide wale men’s corduroy. It is some really amazing stuff. But it was for hunting (birds).

I don’t have a strong opinion. When it’s below freezing I am donning silk underwear, not cords, for warmth.

September 15, 2008 at 3:09 pm

Christine

I usually have a pair of cords for casual wear and I think that’s what they’re best for — not office wear. However, I also don’t think corduroy of any shape belongs in any but the most casual office. If you wear jeans to the office, corduroy is probably fine too. It all depends on the fabric on cut.

I still think people rely way too much on the “dark wash jean” as an all event outfit. I actually saw a woman at a wedding wearing a lovely pair of jean, shoes and a silk top but to a wedding? Wrong.

September 16, 2008 at 4:52 pm

Sarah

Just out of curiosity, I brought my husband into this debate the other day. His opinion of corduroy pants is that they are for farm work. So I guess you win, Angie. I stand corrected. If even my fashion-ignorant husband says cords are sub-casual I’m not in a hurry to go out and get any, except perhaps for riding horses in the snow.

I’m excited to hear that business casual post for women is on its way!

Well, you would certainly know Settle weather better than I would, since I’ve never lived there. I’ve actually never been there either, just had friends from up there. Thanks for enlightening me.

September 19, 2008 at 12:42 pm

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Sarah, you are a honey to share hubby’s cute corduroy thoughts. Thank you! I hope to get that biz casual post out shortly so stay tuned.

September 19, 2008 at 7:00 pm

Linn from IA

I’m with Sarah — maybe it’s a midwestern thing, but denim, no matter how dressy, no matter how pricy, is just not considered work appropriate attire. While cords aren’t my go-to choice, I have a few fine-wale pairs that work well for me on those quieter no-meeting days.

Going out to dinner, I’ll dress up in jeans (w/ my figure I’m a NYDJ fan), but not for work. Cord pants are acceptable and I like having that option.

September 20, 2008 at 6:41 pm

lopi the fashion architect

(website)

The mustard corduroy skirt is amazing! I think it would be really versatile and not lumberjacky at all!

September 22, 2008 at 3:06 am

This season’s “it” skirt: the pencil | youlookfab

(website)

[…] Taylor, Express, Macys, Club Monaco, Benetton, Anthropologie and Nordstrom. Remember that denim and corduroy pencil skirts are superb casual alternatives if you feel that tweed and smarter fabrications are […]

October 2, 2008 at 7:58 am

Laurel

so… just curious, if a country club has a no denim policy, does that mean cords are out too? (for a man) This is for a wedding…

October 2, 2008 at 3:48 pm

Sara

(website)

Just to add my 2c — I don’t wear corduroy pants anymore because the added texture on my larger bottom half is no good. However, I ADORE corduroy blazers and jackets for fall and spring, I just bought a purple one from H&M that I am in love with.

I do think most guys can rock a good boot-leg corduroy pant with Converse and a cool tee though!

October 16, 2008 at 8:49 pm

Lynn

Corduroy pants are appropriate for 1970’s revival costume parties … or for fireplace kindling. They look old (meaning fashion-dated AND physically worn-out) prior to their first wear. Jackets can be neat, though. And I’ve seen it work in a tight mini-dress; although the girl looked like a tube sock under bright light.

October 17, 2008 at 12:05 am

Annachestnut

Ralph Lauren makes gorgeous velvet corduroy slacks that are well-fitted (try a size smaller than you usually wear) durable and flattering. I love a turtleneck (smooth fabric) with the velvety slacks he makes. They conform to your curves and wash great!

December 2, 2008 at 6:10 am

Annachestnut

Just bought (big splurg) Ralph Lauren from his shop on 80th and Madison – fine whale dark brown cords reduced, reduced reduced but still EXPENSIVE. I love them – they were a gift from hubby.

December 21, 2008 at 3:51 pm

Martin Alexandre

I am a college professor and I have a huge collection of corduroy jeans and pants. I also have a lot of corduroy blazers and corduroy suits. The reason is that corduroy is so nice to wear from September to May. Corduroy jeans are so nice to wear and durable. If washed properly, good quality corduroys (Tommy Hilfiger, Ralph Lauren, Woolrich, etc.) stay nice for years. I love to wear ww thick cords in Winter. They are warm and cozy. I agree worn out corduroys are too casual for work. The best dressed students in my college wear corduroy Jeans. Those young colorful men look great with their corduroys. Do you get tired to wear day after day denim only ? I agree corduroys are masculine and men look great in corduroys.

January 29, 2009 at 9:39 pm

BrieCS

First time poster, and yeah, it’s an older post, but I had to comment:

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.

March 11, 2009 at 1:14 pm

carrie

I totally disagree with the theory that corduroy pants look masculine. If there is anything I have learned from reading this site and watching What Not To Wear is that fit and cut are everything. That being said, if you like corduroy fabric then pants in the right cut should be every bit as feminine as denim or wool pants – just like a blazer in the right cut can look masculine or feminine regardless of the fabric.

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.

April 5, 2009 at 10:44 am

carrie

I also agree that denim is the most casual fabric out there, regardless of wash. I would never wear cords or denim to work, though a dark wash jean is appropriate for a night out.

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

April 5, 2009 at 10:49 am

Denim and the dress code debate | youlookfab

(website)

[…] often see women in ill-fitting khaki or corduroy pants with a T-shirt, cardigan and loafers walking around in business casual settings. To me, this […]

April 24, 2009 at 12:14 am

Jennie

I totally disagree w/everyone who has said that cords are more casual than jeans. JC Penney’s has a line of jean style cords that are fabulous. They fit wonderfully & come in a variety of colors. I love my cords & will continue to wear them for casual outfits & for work!

October 1, 2009 at 1:02 pm

Kristine

Hi, I’m new to the site and came across this post. I looked down and realized I’m wearing…corduroys!

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!

December 6, 2009 at 7:26 am

Eleanor

I don’t know what you’re talking about. I love cords:

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

December 31, 2009 at 12:25 pm

Toronto Girl

I have to say that I am for cords all the way. Masculine? You must be referring to the wide wales that college professors often wear. I read his post, and frankly, the guys look okay, but the girls look better:)

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.

January 5, 2010 at 4:35 pm

timepiece

(website)

I have to admit, I really like wide-wale corduroy in a jacket – I think it adds great texture. I have an ivory wide-wale jacket I wear all winter.

January 6, 2010 at 9:50 am

rute

Veteran

Really love corduroy in jackets and they are perfect to mix with jeans

April 15, 2010 at 3:31 am

Jajuana Moore

(website)

Active Member

I do not like courdroy. It is too hot and I just can’t get into them. I will pass on this one.

June 4, 2010 at 9:56 am

Jeremy

I’m quite torn over what to do about this. I teach at a two-year college and take great pride in my corduroy blazer. However, my colleagues revel in taking every opportunity to make fun of my fashion choices. I feel it wreaks of jealousy, but deep down I’m starting to become a bit self-conscious. Help me out: am I a fashion icon among my peers, or just a wannabe still living in the 70’s?

August 27, 2010 at 6:43 am

norine thompson-ord

Active Member

Cords end up bagging in the knees and butt. They make you look thick.

September 1, 2010 at 11:37 am

Anna

I used wide wale corduroy at school my mom forced me to wear them,but it was in the 80s and they loock different to day and are like jeans. My first one at school was realy baggy and was in wide wale so i use them in the winter. Remember the colors was really sharp and typical 80s. My brother has a red one and he cried every time he has to use them.

June 6, 2012 at 3:28 am

Kim

I live in the country and my favorite vacation spot is the mountains, so for me I ADORE corduroy pants. I love their ruggedness and the shading you get from them because of their nap. They get softer through years of wear. For me, they are more comfortable than denim jeans. Pair them with an oxford shirt and a Shetland cardigan or sweater and I’m in heaven. I’d say that my fashion preference is what at one time was called “Town and Country.” Think of the Yorkshire dales. It includes tweeds, woolens, wellies, corduroy, etc. I feel and look ridiculous in a business suit or frills. I know cords aren’t necessarily feminine, but I love them anyway. To each her own I suppose.

September 26, 2012 at 5:10 pm

LovetoStyleAlexVA

Active Member

There’s something about cords that are particularly warm, and, signify “winter” pant, especially if you are one who prefers to wear unlined pants in a cold environment (I find that most lined pants are warm, but many cannot be thrown in the washing machine, my preferred place to clean 99% of my clothes). If you don’t like cords, I think structured velvet slacks are a nice alternative.

December 22, 2012 at 2:15 pm

Mack

Like anything, it’s how YOU wear it that makes it either a no-no or a yes-yes. The fact of the matter is, I don’t take the advice of anyone on what to wear because to me it’s a matter of comfort level and how they make me feel. Everything falls out of fashion at least once, and it’s up to the brave to re-establish them. With that said; I wear cords and proudly

March 23, 2013 at 2:29 pm

Mack

Since there was some speculation in previous posts and also the OP commentary, I’d like to offer insight on why cords “may” be warmer than jeans in colder climates. Like Under Armor or even wet suits as example; they keep you warm by creating pockets of warm air(in the case of wet suit, warm water) between your skin and the elements. That is the magic. In the case of cords, it could be argued that the wales create warm pockets of air allowing more protection than jeans from cold climates. Personally, I find cords far superior to jeans at keeping my legs warm

March 23, 2013 at 2:36 pm

Deb

(website)

I love corduroy and it feels warmer to my legs during the winter months. I think the very fine corduroy from a good quality brand, in a well fitting, slim style is the trick. AG and Ralph Lauren have done some very durable, attractive, jean style ones. They need to be laundered and ironed inside out to stay looking good. The variety of colour, to brighten up winter, appeals to me also. I favour them in dark grey, cream, green and burgundy.
I’m not fond of a non – matchstick weave or baggy corduroy pants. Nor corduroy jackets. There are so many nicer fabrics to tailor a jacket with.

February 5, 2014 at 7:48 am

Terry

Cords are my “jeans” because jeans are just not comfortable. Period. It’s not the brand, or even the cut or fit; it’s the denim – stiff, up-in-your-business, squeezes-in-all-the-wrong-places uncomfortable. Cords that are designed appropriately for one’s body type are both comfortable and yes, flattering, as the vertical wales have a lengthening, slimming effect. But the issue I have with most cords is that they apparently MUST be either a) skinny or b) boot-cut, as if basic, straight-leg cords for real bodies (not stick-legged flatbellies) will signal the death-knell for the fashion world. I’ve found just one brand that is cut for my body type, and as my luck would have it the company has discontinued the style in favor of high-waisted, “mom” cords. And so the search continues.

October 9, 2018 at 7:19 am

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