On the surface, corduroy might conjure up images of uncool teachers in ill-fitting jackets but look a little closer and you'll find cultural moments littered with the retro fabric. Think The Graduate, in which Dustin Hoffman throws a cord blazer over his unbuttoned shirt, or Pulp frontman Jarvis Cocker, who is still a sartorial pin-up for men everywhere thanks to his penchant for jewel-toned corduroy jackets over flamboyant shirts.
But the textured fabric is no longer the preserve of traditional menswear and this season we'll be donning it via everything from flared trousers and blazers to baker boy caps. So why is corduroy having such a comeback? One flick through the show images from February's AW17 collections and you'll see how designers revitalised the fabric for autumn. Marc Jacobs presented outerwear with shearling-trimmed cord jackets in taupes and maroons, perhaps taking inspiration from Stranger Things ' Jonathan Byers. Prada gave us the perfect two-piece, made of brown corduroy with mixed fabric pockets, while Isabel Marant presented sweet workwear jackets with puckered shoulders and balloon sleeves in salmon pink. Gucci gave us cord in the only way Gucci could: bright blue and sprayed with ditsy yellow flowers.
Of course, the fabric will always have its traditional connotations but styled the right way – whether that's through bold colour ways, sharp cuts or an oversized fit – it can be as contemporary as you like. Our favourite place to look for inspiration? The streets of fashion month.
Click through to see our favourite four ways the style set is wearing corduroy, and the pieces to bag to nail the look yourself.
Trousers
Gala Gonzalez made a very strong case for texture clashes at Milan Fashion Week with cord Prada flares, an emerald mohair knit and high-shine patent shoes.
Whether you go all-out '70s and pair your cord trousers with a printed blouse and neckerchief, or modernise your get-up with contrasting colours and minimalist jewellery, the trouser is the best place to start with the retro fabric.
Photo: Christian Vierig/Getty Images
This pair is so flattering, and that inch-thick turn-up is a styling trick we're stealing.
Miu Miu Mid-Rise Flared-Leg Corduroy Trousers, £475, available at Matches Fashion
These cords have a mum shape that we'll be tucking our slogan tees into.
BDG Pink Corduroy Cocoon Trousers, £46, available at Urban Outfitters
Stand out in these teal-blue trousers that will elongate your silhouette and nip you in at the waist.
Masscobb High-Rise wide-leg corduroy trousers £216, available at Matches
Of course Alexa was going to bring us the dreamiest cord trousers, most likely inspired by Jane Birkin.
Alexachung High Waist Trousers, £270, available at Alexachung
This wide-legged pair, teamed with a white oversized shirt and red lip, is our go-to office attire sorted.
Muveil Wide-Leg Cropped Cotton-Corduroy Trousers, £235, available at Matches Fashion
Deep burgundy is a cord classic – pair with a navy roll-neck knit come icier climes.
H&M Wide Corduroy Trousers, £39.99, available at H&M
Jacket
Emili Sindlev was spotted at London Fashion Week taking corduroy back to its heritage roots. Pairing her Mulberry extreme-lapelled jacket with a tweed skirt and regal Manolo Blahnik courts, she's added a good dose of prim and proper via a pearl-embellished Shrimps bag and printed pussy bow necktie.
There are no rules for the cord jacket, though. Go as masculine or as feminine as you like, layering over jeans and trainers or floral dresses and pleated skirts.
Photo: Edward Berthelot/Getty Images
Who said you had to be traditional? This boxy fit jacket from BDG will go with pretty much everything you own.
BDG Corduroy Jacket, £66, available at Urban Outfitters
Trust Gucci to add a pinch of flamboyance to the trend. We adore this electric blue blazer.
Gucci Single-Breasted Floral-Print Corduroy Jacket, £1,610, available at Matches Fashion
Smart and classic, with a fitted cut, from Veronica Beard.
Veronica Beard Cliff Corduroy Cutaway Jacket, £513.38, available at Nordstrom
Something different, courtesy of Ganni. This Little Red Riding Hood-esque jacket will look sweet over your slogan hoodie and relaxed trousers.
Ganni Ridgewood Coat, £235, available at Ganni
Our new favourite brand Side Party brings some contemporary cool to corduroy with a duck egg blue boxy jacket.
Side Party Later Corduroy Snap Button Jacket, £139.00, available at Side Party.
Our favourite of the bunch, this mac looks every inch the British archetype paired with Grenson boots and blue jeans.
A.P.C Lilli Single-Breasted Cotton-Corduroy Coat, £355, available at Matches Fashion
Colours
Moda Operandi cofounder Lauren Santo Domingo proves that corduroy needn't be shy and retiring. One of our favourite colour combinations (red and pink) is amped up via those almost-neon flares.
This is the time to be playful: clash your colours, colour block with one shade head-to-toe, and wear with a little bit of attitude.
Photo: REX/Shutterstock
Swedish Hasbeens have cords in every colour, from electric blue to acid green. We may have had a pair like this in year 9 that we wore with skater shoes but we still love them, ok?
Swedish Hasbeens Flare Jeans Cord in '70s Orange, £129, available at Swedish Hasbeens
These baby blues look gorgeous teams with a bomber jacket and sock boots. The Cords & Co. are launching their London store 12th October, so you can choose from any colour and cut you like.
The Cords & Co. Stella Alaska Blue Step Cut Hem Corduroy Pants, £145, available at The Cords & Co.
Of course the trend comes in the colour that won't quit. These look very Gucci when styled with a granny blouse.
Mango High-Waist Corduroy Trousers, £49.99, available at Mango
Bored of your favourite jeans? Keep the colour and cut but just go cord.
Finery Chad Blue Cord Trousers, £79, available at Finery
A dusky pink from Zara, with high waist and cropped ankle details.
Zara Corduroy Wide-Leg Trousers, £25.99, available at Zara
Suit
Exhibit store founder Yoyo Cao took her suit straight from Prada's catwalk. Amping up the look with a matching baker boy cap and roll-neck, she also wore a heavy metal box bag from The Volon to break up the look. We can't fault her get-up – head-to-toe colour is dominating street style this season.
Grab a two-piece, whether it's a relaxed number to go with a band T-shirt and white trainers, or a more tailored affair with heels and statement jewellery.
Photo: Silvia Olsen/REX/Shutterstock
This H&M suit looks far more expensive than it is.
H&M Cotton Corduroy Jacket, £59.99, and Wide Trousers, £39.99, available at H&M
That blue! David Bowie eat your heart out.
Maison Rabih Kayrouz Corduroy Jacket, £1,605, and Trousers, £930, available at Matches Fashion
All we need now are some oversized sunnies and platform boots, and we're ready for Soul Train.
Rockins Corduroy Jacket, £395, and Flared Trousers, £225, available at Matches Fashion
Your cord doesn't have to be super grown-up to be contemporary; this sweet duo from Weekday is as casual as you like, and in a fresh mint colour, too.
Weekday Cora Corduroy Jacket, £60, and Nakia Skirt, £40, available at Weekday
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