The Corduroy Conundrum: When Texture Trumps Trend
- Editorial Team
- Sep 19, 2024
- 3 min read
There’s a certain charm to corduroy. A tactile charm. A nostalgic charm. It conjures images of worn library armchairs, beat-up college backpacks, maybe even your dad in the '70s. And yet, it sits there, perched precariously on the edge of fashion’s fickle wheel of fortune. One minute it’s enjoying a renaissance, the next it’s relegated to the back of the closet, sandwiched between a forgotten fisherman sweater and a pair of too-wide-legged trousers.
This season, corduroy is back. Again. Or is it?
Walking through the recent shows, I couldn’t help but notice the fabric popping up in unexpected places. A sleek, wide-wale blazer paired with fluid silk trousers. A ruby-red pinafore dress, its thick cords contrasting sharply with the delicate lace blouse beneath. Even a pair of high-waisted, wide-leg pants in a surprisingly chic shade of olive green.
And I’ll admit, a certain sense of curiosity, maybe even excitement, flickered within me. Corduroy! Could it be? Could this be the moment it finally sheds its frumpy reputation and claims its rightful place in the contemporary wardrobe?
But then, the doubts crept in. The same doubts that always seem to surface when corduroy attempts a comeback. Because let’s be honest, it’s a tricky fabric. Unforgiving, even. One wrong move and you risk looking like you raided your grandpa's closet. Or worse, a walking, talking '70s costume.
I remember, years ago, falling head over heels for a pair of corduroy pants. A deep, rich brown. Wide-legged, of course. They were everything I thought I wanted. Chic, different, a welcome departure from the usual denim routine. I wore them everywhere. To the office, to dinners, even to a gallery opening (a bold move, I know).
And then, it happened. The inevitable. The compliments I’d initially received (“Oh, those pants!”) were replaced with puzzled looks and, dare I say, a hint of pity. The final blow came from a fellow editor, known for her sharp wit and even sharper tongue. “Nice pants,” she drawled, her eyes scanning my corduroy-clad legs. “Very…earthy.”
Earthy. Right. I retired the pants shortly thereafter.
So, where does that leave us? With corduroy, it always seems to come back to this: texture versus trend. Because, ultimately, corduroy is about texture. That unmistakable ribbed surface, the way it catches the light, the soft, almost velvety feel. It’s a sensory experience as much as a visual one.
And perhaps that’s where its true appeal lies. In its ability to transcend fleeting trends and offer something more substantial, more enduring. A sense of history, of comfort, of individuality. It’s not about chasing the latest fad, but about embracing a fabric that feels good, looks good (on the right person, in the right cut), and has a story to tell.
So, should you embrace corduroy this season? The answer, as with most things in fashion, is not a simple yes or no. It’s about understanding the fabric, its nuances, its potential pitfalls. It’s about choosing pieces that feel authentic to you, that complement your personal style, that don’t scream “trying too hard.”
A well-tailored blazer in a fine wale. A slim-fitting skirt in a rich jewel tone. A classic bucket hat for those crisp autumn days. These are the pieces that whisper rather than shout. The pieces that elevate an outfit without overwhelming it. The pieces that prove that corduroy, when done right, can be as timeless and chic as any other fabric in your wardrobe.
Maybe this time, corduroy will finally get the recognition it deserves. Or maybe it’ll retreat back into the depths of fashion hibernation, only to reemerge a few years down the line. Either way, I’ll be watching. And maybe, just maybe, I’ll even dust off those brown pants. Earthy, after all, isn’t always a bad thing
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