Corduroy reminds us of an English Lit college professor wearing a tan jacket with brown suede patches at the elbows. (Is that a tobacco pipe peeking out of his pocket? Nevermind.) The fabric does not immediately call to mind bright blue trousers adorned with ditsy yellow flowers. The image isn’t sweet workwear jackets with puckered shoulders and balloon sleeves in salmon pink. Yet Fall 2017 designers hung a new label on the traditionally buttoned up menswear staple. Corduroy is back, and corduroy is cool.
Marc Jacobs sent red-hot supermodel Kendall Jenner down the runway in blood red corduroy flares and a matching shearling-trimmed jacket. He threw on a blinged-out necklace to add some shine. Ermanno Scervino showed off corduroy in a pretty shade of lavender. Other designers played it safer with autumnal hues like burgundy, chestnut, and canary yellow. Marc Jacobs used taupe and maroon for his shearling-trimmed cord jackets.
Hip styling presented the retro fabric in sharp cuts, oversized fits and bold colors for a contemporary vibe. Look to these four ways to wear the trend.
The Trousers
Pants are the easiest way to try this trend on for size. Take it modern with minimalist jewelry and boldly clashing colors, or take a time trip back to the ‘70s and top your cords with a printed blouse and neck scarf.
Marc Jacobs corduroy cropped trousers, $334, farfetch.com
Muveil wide-leg cropped cotton-corduroy trousers, $293, matchesfashion.com
The Jacket
This piece can be as structured as our stereotypical college professor or as loose and oversized as you please. Throw it on and top off your favorite garb, whether that’s a floral dress or your weekend jeans and white tee.
Hyein Seo embroidered corduroy jacket, $490, shopsuperstreet.com
Mango corduroy oversize jacket, $100, mango.com
The Brights
Make your fashion statement as loud as you please with boldly clashing neons from head to toe. Carry it off with a playful attitude, and you’re good to go.
The Cords & Co Nova a-line corduroy skirt, $130, thecords.com
Gucci floral-print wide-leg corduroy cropped trousers, $993, matchesfashion.com
The Suit
Make yours a two-piece for the office with statement jewelry and heels, or wear it to a concert with T-shirt and white sneakers.
H&M Cotton Corduroy Jacket, $79.99, H&M; H&M Wide-leg Corduroy Pants, $59.99, H&M.
Sies Marjan Sander Corduroy Shirt, $850, MyTheresa; Sies Marjan Tatum Corduroy Pants, $750, MyTheresa
Read More: Corduroy, the World’s Most Unsexy Fabric, Makes a Cool Comeback