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STYLE OPINION

How cords have made a comeback

24 October 2018

Before you forgo this article for a different dose of sartorial advice, hear us out. At every big fashion event, there are often a couple of themes that appear in the street-style crowd that are then translated onto the catwalk or into stores pretty soon after. Right now, one of the most loved of the bunch is the revamp of classic cord. Yes, you heard us right.

Sure, cord is nothing new. From coming into the forefront of fashion in the Seventies with a wave of well-dressed hippies and dipping in and out ever since, it’s gone through the motions of being a much-loved basic in many men’s wardrobes to a mocked piece associated with universally badly dressed men. But not anymore – because it’s back, and it’s better than ever. The new cord is all about flattering the body with textures that balance out winter outfits, and wear-with-anything colours that are guaranteed to work with what’s already in our wardrobe.

SHOP THE CORD EDIT

By default, corduroy is a bulky fabric, making it the perfect material to see you through the dark, cold winter months. Its new iteration shuns the wide-legged baggy ghosts of cords past and instead focuses on slimmer, more tapered legs that make the most of the material but still flatter the body. When it comes to jackets, the same rule applies and new styles are all about focusing on something a little slimmer and more streamlined – so opting for a slim-fit blazer or suit is the perfect starting point.

With this new rule in mind, it’s important to keep whatever else you’re wearing to the bare minimum – if a cord suit has grabbed your attention, try pairing it with a classic T-shirt and a pair of trainers. With cord trousers, try not to add too much extra bulk on your top half and attempt to keep the entire look streamlined – so avoid big knitwear. When it comes to a cord jacket, reach for tapered trousers to balance the whole thing out and keep your body in proportion.

And now for colour: you’ll find that most styles remain very autumnal, focusing on deep oranges, browns and dark blues. The key is to keep everything else as plain and neutral as possible so that the cord’s colours stand out on their own and speak for themselves without being diluted by anything else. So, if your winter wardrobe is filled with black and not much else, reaching for something a little bolder and brighter is a great place to start.