Dating back to 200AD, corduroy has proven its worth as one of the most versatile materials on offer. First manufactured in Egypt approximately 1800 years ago – the Egyptians were both intelligent and extremely stylish – the fabric wasn’t a viable choice until the growth of the cotton trade between 1100 and 1300. The material is made from fustian, a fabric that originated in a city called Fustat near Cairo, and when fustian was finally exported throughout Europe it became highly popular with the elite classes.
By the 18th century, corduroy was being produced in Europe, showing its versatility by the fact that it was favoured by royalty and farmers alike. From this point onwards, it becomes seen as a material used for working uniforms thanks to its inflexibility and, hence, durability. In 2020, corduroy has lost much of its value as a material for work uniforms due to the arrival of denim, cotton twills and technical modern materials. Luckily for us, this means that corduroy has found its way into many Autumn/Winter collections. We’re calling it, we think that corduroy is the material of the season and here’s how we’re wearing it.
Men’s designer corduroy shirts
Schnayderman’s Solid Black Corduroy Boxy Shirt
When it comes to shirts, few do it better than Schnayderman’s. The Swedish label have pledged to develop the perfect shirt, no matter what form that takes. We’d say they’re getting pretty close with this number. The jet-black 100% cotton from Italy boasts a striking sheen that’s compounded by exaggerated mother of pearl buttons to result in a durable, bold shirt ready to be worn over T-shirts or alone.
A Day’s March Almond Corduroy Original Overshirt
Harking back to the material’s workwear roots, A Day’s March’s Original Overshirt takes advantage of the hard-wearing nature of corduroy. The heavyweight fabric features thick ‘wales’ (the lines of velvety cotton that characterise the material). Two large patch pockets to the waist and a smaller pocket to the chest show that this shirt is made to function. Tailored to a relaxed fit, this is a great tool for layering this season.
Men’s corduroy trousers
A Day’s March Almond Corduroy Relaxed Pants
On a cold morning, there’s nothing like pulling on a pair of heavyweight corduroy trousers to make you feel ready to tackle the day ahead. The soft cotton is comfortable and the relaxed cut means you have space to breathe. A Day’s March has chosen a slightly tapered cut for a more modern feel, meaning that this pair will work as well with sneakers as it will with a pair of boots.
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Delve deeper on Legends' Autumn/Winter offering with our favourite picks.
