What do you think about corduroy?

Astrid

I wore corduroy long before YLF and ceased to do it because I had concerns about looking frumpy. In the last few weeks I've seen corduroy in almost all stores and I wonder if it would be acceptable to wear it again. I like the fabric because it is so sturdy, perfect for fall and winter. I wouldn't wear it in beige or brown like you often see, but maybe in a color? Boden has a nice corduroy a-line skirt in purple:

http://www.bodendirect.de/de-D.....GroupID=13

What do you think? Frumpy or not?

14 years ago

Dressing

43 replies

Latest reply was from leopardluxe

(website)

Veteran

I really like the textural feature of corduroy and think that in a fine wale like that it still looks sharp. I think the knock against it is that it is a casual fabric and that it wears out and sags and bags in pants. I think that skirt is great for fall!

14 years ago

Queen Mum

Veteran

I love the idea of a fine wale corduroy skirt for fall. I may have to hunt one down myself

14 years ago

kellygirl

Veteran

I like it too! That purple skirt is yummy and looks very sleek with boots--not frumpy at all.

14 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

It's up for a very subjective debate

Cord clothing for childrens wear - okay.

Tailored Cord skirts and jackets for ladies in fine wales - okay.

Cord skinnies and leggings for ladies in fine wales - just about okay, but I will need extra convincing. I am sticky on the subject.

Anything else cord for ladies - generally no thank you.

Cord trousers, shirts and jackets on men - generally no thank you.

I can't be more succinct than that.

14 years ago

Astrid

Veteran

Mo, you're so right about the sagging and bagging in pants - not fab at all.

Kim and Kelly, thanks for the encouragement! I'll think about trying this one.

Angie, I love how you get to the heart of it. I'm glad I'm looking at a tailored Cord skirt in fine wales then!

14 years ago

taylor

Veteran

It stretches out too quickly and looks worn out in a hurry to me
Plus what Angie said!

14 years ago

Girl X

(website)

Veteran

Every fabric can lend itself to frump - I've seen women who have managed to look totally frumpy wearing leather! I love corduroy, and that skirt is super cute - I say go for it

14 years ago

anne

Veteran

I am just finishing making a red corderoy skirt, so hope it isn't frumpy. Angie's response is encouraging!

14 years ago

Nakidra

Veteran

I’ve always been a big fan of corduroy in fine wale. (I’m from the Midwest… cut me some slack!) I would never wear it to work, but I mix it up with my denim on the weekend.
I’ll have to convince Angie on the skinny cord issue! I have a super adorable pair in fine wale from JCrew. They are the matchstick version. They are really cute and I wear a lot in the fall/winter. I also have a pair of Seven’s from many years ago that are more of a “baby” boot cut. They are also cute.
I do not allow hubbie to buy cords … not a big fan of cords on men. I also don’t really like my kids in them because of the way they wear on the knees. Looks cute, but wears out and looks crappy after about 3 or 4 wears.

14 years ago

Anonymous

Nakidra, I bought J Crew matchstick fine wale cords a couple of years ago because I really wanted the color. They barely lasted one season because they had to be washed every time they were worn due to bagging and even the golden raisin color soon looked faded. I only used cold water and never put them in the dryer. I'm glad that you are having better luck. I swore off the fabric for pants and anything I'd wash.

14 years ago

catgirl

Veteran

I'm a fan (don't tell Angie!) - here's an outfit I wore on Sunday to run around with my son. It's supercasual but very Alaskan comfy.

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14 years ago

Aziraphale

Veteran

I like corduroy skirts, but that's about it. Maybe corduroy jackets. Like Mo, I like the textural quality of corduroy, but it seems to wear out quickly.

14 years ago

renae

Active Member

I like corduroy jackets. Maybe because it's one jacket I can usually find in a color other than black, (soul-sucking) beige, or olive green. Give me some color!

What's this fine wale? Does fine wale equal expensive?

14 years ago

Zoe

Active Member

Hey Angie -- try on a pair of the cord slim fit ankle length pants at Talbots. I was cord-averse until I tried them this weekend. I now own a great pair in "vixen" (I suppose that is a fox-inspired russet). And I'm tempted by the cord blazer they have there, too. Waiting on another sale to decide.
And I promise not to wear the jacket and pants together!

14 years ago

amyreh

(website)

Veteran

I am going to get some cord skinnies from Victoria's Secret this year - hopefully if they fit I can convince you Angie! : )

14 years ago

Sandra Jennings

Active Member

I think corduroy is a great fabric, It's soft and warm.
I ve got some corduroy clothes (leggings, skirt) and I ove them

11 years ago

April

Veteran

Now that this thread has been revived, I'm interested in hearing whether Angie's checklist has changed at all since two years ago?

My own feeling is that corduroy is cozy, warm, delightful to the touch, and often painfully unflattering. That's why I'm going for it in leggings, which will only peek out under something else.

11 years ago

ramya

Veteran

I have a black Caudroy skinny that I love. Also my dark brown blazer is kinda cord

11 years ago

Elizabeth P

Veteran

I have a pair of black corduroy pants, boot cut jean style, and they look like velvet, rich, textured.... I don't wear them much, and I know they may not last as long as other fabrics, but that's okay. They don't seem to bag out. I wear a lot of black bottoms, so I love to have the variety in texture. I also have a red pair of skinnies. And two skirts, black and navy. I totally don't understand the argument that they are more casual than denim.

11 years ago

chadya

Veteran

I have about 10 or so pairs of JC bootcut cords in various colors that I wear in winter when it is cold. I like the bootcut as it is easier to wear a warmer shoe than the skinny cords that JC has.

11 years ago

Joyce B

Veteran

Corduroy pants in a good fabric, nice color, a great fit and well styled can look great for work, particularly on very cold and/ or snowy days. After you shovel yourself out of your driveway you wear a good pair of cords matched with a nice top and jacket under your Winter coat and you will be fine at work. Maybe if I lived in a warmer climate I would not wear them as much, but where Iive the warmth and nice look of good cords are very useful and not frumpy.

11 years ago

viva

Veteran

I was at a meeting this week and a young woman wore a slightly oversized chestnut corduroy blazer with the sleeves scrunched, two layered infinity scarves (one patterned, one not), and skinny jeans, and she looked AMAZING. Like so many things, it's all in the styling.

11 years ago

Anonymous

I still find that corduroy doesn't keep it's color or stay looking pristine very long. As much as I love texture, cords just look too casual even for my casual lifestyle. For warmth I just wear Cuddle Duds or winter silk under regular jeans and pants.

11 years ago

Jewell

Veteran

I see that this is an old thread brought back to life, but I'll add my thoughts. I like corduroy. I have a burnt orange corduroy pencil skirt that I adore and a cord blazer that's a real workhorse. I don't wear the pants, only because I haven't found a pair in a color and cut that I like. I do dress my toddler in corduroy, but not my older children. I've never seen Mr. Jewell in corduroy. The idea that it's more casual than denim is not a universal opinion. I could wear corduroy to work five days a week and it would be perfectly acceptable, however jeans would not. I've never heard of an office or school dress code that named corduroy among the clothing items "not allowed."

11 years ago

Astrid

Veteran

I did a bit of a double take when I saw this thread. Thanks for the new input.

For myself I can say that I didn't get a new corduroy item and the one pair of corduroy skinnies I have is almost worn out. I'm debating whether I should add them to the purge pile at the moment. That said, I could see myself go for a corduroy blazer/jacket, even though I don't think I will buy corduroy pants again in the near future.

11 years ago

Thistle

Veteran

Honestly, I am not a fan of cors, even in my freezing cold climate. Maybe casual wear ont he weekends, but they head into frump territory soooo fast. And I hate the way they sound when I walk. Silly, I know, but there it is

11 years ago

Astrid

Veteran

Thistle, I agree with you! That's one thing that always bothered me wearing the skinnies, that sound my thighs made walking.

11 years ago

pastrygirl

(website)

Veteran

I bought a pair of cord bootcuts during the summer because over the last few years, one of my favorite pairs of pants was cord bootcut. This time, I never wore them! Then I chopped them into skinnies and now wear them all the time. I also ended up picking up a pair of dark red cords that I'd tried on and left behind several times over the course of a couple of months.

Apparently, I'm a fan of skinny cords. Though my interest is waning. I might not wear corduroy next winter.

11 years ago

Vildy

Veteran

I love corduroy. Like the wabi sabi effect. I have a couple of Orvis fine wale corduroy walking coats, very well-made and structured, lined with quilted polyfill. The sleeves will wrinkle some but no worse than some wool coats.
Otherwise, they look great. OTOH, I won't wear pre-whiskered jeans and slashed, ripped, fraying jeans, so go figure. #1 is the beige but looks wonderful punched up with winter accessories. #2 is a silvery pale greenish blue. #3 is a man's suit with cognac accessories I'm very taken with. Hope to at least end up with the accessories.

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11 years ago

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