How to Style Corduroy in Menswear

For many, nothing captures the essence of the seventies quite like corduroy, which has made a surprisingly strong return to men's fashion. Despite its reputation for dampening your sex appeal, this fabric has been making a comeback. The issue with corduroy's original rise in the seventies was its limited color palette—primarily dull browns and greens—associated with librarians and geography teachers. However, today it is available in a stunning array of colors and weights.

In reality, corduroy is much more versatile than most people give it credit for. If you’re among the skeptics who believe that corduroy only comes in big, baggy, and boring shades, we’re here to set the record straight. These days, it’s tailored well and showcases itself in unique styles. If retro vibes aren’t your thing, there are plenty of darker shades to choose from, and corduroy no longer overwhelms your frame with excessive fabric. Best of all, this material is durable, and any piece you invest in will stand the test of time.

To help you embrace this trend without the worry of being fashionably outdated, here’s a detailed guide on how to wear corduroy, along with modern men’s corduroy outfit ideas to recreate.

What is Corduroy

Corduroy features a ridged velvet texture with vertical stripes of fuzzy material on the surface. These stripes, or “wales,” are clearly visible from a distance. The fabric itself is durable and soft, leaning towards the casual side of the fabric spectrum, though it can be considered slightly more formal than denim.

Corduroy is classified by the number of wales per inch. Essentially, the more wales there are, the finer the texture—so, a 16-wale corduroy has a much subtler and less pronounced feel compared to an 8-wale variety. Those finer corduroys with more than 16 wales are often referred to as pincord or needlecord.

​They use two threads to construct the textured weave of corduroy, meaning that, in most cases, these are cotton threads. Yet sometimes wool is used for the second, softer thread, creating a warmer and “fuzzier” material known as woolly corduroy.

How to Wear Corduroy

The distinctiveness of corduroy can make men hesitant about how to integrate it into their wardrobe. If you are asking yourself, “How can I wear this textured fabric with style?” below, we’ll share helpful tips to guide you.

Corduroy suit

Unfortunately, even those who are open to a bit of cord here and there often turn their noses up at the ultimate corduroy ensemble: the full corduroy suit. However, such apprehension is no longer warranted. The proof? From luxury designers to popular high street labels, the corduroy suit has been turning heads with its modern twist for far too long to be overlooked. Select blazers, jackets, or overshirts that feature soft shoulders, and choose straight-leg trousers. In terms of colors, lean towards earthy tones like browns, greens, or blues, and finish the look with knitwear layered underneath in a tonal match to your suit's hue.

Check out this corduroy set from Les Deux featuring the Corduroy overshirt and the Corduroy pants. It has no resemblance to anything geeky but rather the boldness of modern streetwear.

Corduroy jacket

For those who believe that corduroy is a style faux pas that sabotages their chances of impressing, let us introduce the men’s corduroy jacket and overshirt. When styled correctly, these pieces—thanks to modern cuts and color options—totally dispel any nerdy vibes. But style isn’t the only thing to consider; the unique ‘wales’ of corduroy trap insulating air pockets, which make a corduroy jacket good at keeping you warm. Versatility is another strong point. Whether it's a bomber or trucker, dress it up or keep it casual, depending on your mood. And what to wear with a corduroy jacket? A good knit or a basic tee is your best bet.

​A corduroy jacket can be a little intimidating for some, but an overshirt is an easy-wearing alternative—casual and contemporary. Let’s style the Corduroy overshirt from Les Deux with the Tapered classic jeans from Citizens of Humanity and the Crewneck loose-fit t-shirt underneath. Nothing extra, just the essentials with a hint of textured magic.

Corduroy button-up

When you hear the word corduroy, the image of a fine shirt probably isn’t the first thing that comes to mind. Instead, you might picture some garish cord flares or something equally cringeworthy. However, if you tend to shy away from corduroy, this is the perfect opportunity to reconsider it. So, how to style a corduroy shirt? A well-made fine corduroy shirt can add a wonderful texture to your wardrobe, and you can take advantage of the rich colors available, like dark green, mustard, burgundy, and navy.

Styling your new shirt is a breeze. Pair a corduroy shirt with jeans and work boots for a laid-back Western vibe, or dress it up for the office and team it with tailored trousers and brogues. We are gonna style our Corduroy shirt from Les Deux underneath the Relaxed roundneck pullover from FTC Cashmere.

Casual corduroy pants

With corduroy trousers, the cut is crucial—much like with your hair. If you get it wrong, you’ll find yourself on the receiving end of some good-natured teasing. To avoid a fashion faux pas, opt for straight or slim-leg fits. A modern pair of 5-pocket corduroy trousers works smoothly with a tee or a hoodie. Think of corduroy trousers as a patterned piece in your wardrobe—they work best with understated clothing. And remember, corduroy isn’t limited to brown; colors like navy, green, and even black are available and are much easier to style.

For our corduroy pants outfit, we combined the Corduroy pants from Les Deux with the Oversize fleece hoodie from Holzweiler—laid-back and easy to wear for your daily errands.

Smart corduroy trousers

Corduroy pants offer greater comfort than jeans and bring a sense of style that often surpasses chinos. They are available in a wide range of colors and come in both a trouser-like cut and the classic five-pocket design; the former is a touch more formal, while the latter can replace jeans in casual outfits. Similar to corduroy jackets, which can be made with thinner ribs, corduroy trousers provide a solid foundation you can dress up or down with no bother.

As for how to style corduroy pants, men sometimes get lost with all those vintage pictures of professors and teachers in mind. Yet, you can follow the smart styling and remain fashion-forward. Pair the black Corduroy chino trousers with the Trucker wool jumper from A.P.C. and see how easily the cord works for minimalist looks.

FAQ

Is corduroy in style for men

Yes—corduroy is very much in style, especially in modern silhouettes. It appears in tailored trousers, overshirts, and relaxed suits, in neutral or earthy tones that feel timeless rather than retro. Designers and contemporary menswear brands are reworking the fabric with cleaner cuts and lighter textures, making corduroy an easy choice for fall and winter wardrobes that value comfort and sophistication.

Is corduroy business casual

​It can absolutely work as business casual when styled the right way. Opt for fine-wale corduroy trousers or a clean-cut corduroy blazer in neutral shades like navy, brown, or beige, and pair them with a crisp shirt or a lightweight knit. The key is keeping the silhouette sharp and the rest of the outfit simple, so the texture adds interest without feeling too relaxed.

Can corduroy get wet

It can get wet—it’s not that delicate—but it doesn’t love heavy rain. Light moisture or a quick drizzle is usually fine; just let it air dry naturally and avoid heat. To keep the fabric looking its best, it’s a good idea to brush the pile once dry and avoid soaking it whenever possible.

How to wash corduroy

Turn it inside out, wash on a gentle or cold cycle, and skip the dryer—air drying helps keep the fabric from losing its texture. Once dry, a quick brush will bring the pile back to life and keep it looking fresh.

Can you iron corduroy

​You can, but gently. Corduroy doesn’t like direct heat, so always turn it inside out or use steam instead of pressing the iron straight onto the fabric. A steamer is the safest option—it smooths wrinkles without flattening the texture.

Does corduroy shrink

It can—especially if it’s exposed to heat. Washing corduroy in hot water or putting it in the dryer is usually what causes shrinkage. Stick to cold washes and air drying, and your corduroy pieces should keep their shape just fine.

Can you wear corduroy in summer

You can, but it depends on the type. Lightweight, fine-wale corduroy can work on cooler summer days or evenings, especially in relaxed fits or lighter colors. Heavier corduroy, though, is best saved for fall and winter when the extra warmth actually makes sense.

Corduroy vs Denim

Corduroy and denim serve different purposes in a wardrobe. Corduroy is softer and more textured, often associated with warmth and depth, making it a natural choice for fall and winter outfits. Denim is tougher, smoother, and more seasonless, working year-round and leaning more casual. Both fabrics are versatile—it’s less about which is better and more about what kind of look, texture, and season you’re dressing for.