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The Corduroy Comeback

— by Alyson Walsh

London Fashion Week photo: Lucy Fitter

Despite its nerdy, librarian-chic connotations, corduroy is a fabric that has an enduring capacity for cool. For every buttoned-up Wes Anderson star there’s an insouciant Jane Birkin. This autumn, both geeky and relaxed versions of the cut-pile fabric appeared on the catwalk at Prada, Lemaire and Marc Jacobs, leaving me incredibly pleased with the mint-condition, second-hand Margaret Howell corduroy blazer I recently snaffled (for 45 quid) at a local vintage shop. Drawn to its irresistible velvety texture, I couldn’t wait to stroke the nap and slip it on. The Corduroy Comeback highlight has to be Prada’s 1970s-inspired trouser suit, neatly cut, dapper and worthy of a place in Fantastic Mr Fox’s wardrobe.

Photo: vogue.com

 

I’ve written about the Corduroy Comeback for the FT, including a lovely chat with new Swedish company The Cords & Co, whose womens and menswear offerings are made up entirely of corduroy. ‘It has a dressed-up, dressed-down aesthetic and is as much a choice for mountaineering as for poetry writing,’ said CEO Omar Varts, ‘I love its texture, its stripes, its ribs, its ups and downs.’ Me, too.

Read the full feature HERE.

 

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Despite its nerdy, librarian-chic connotations, corduroy is a fabric that has an enduring capacity for cool. For every buttoned-up Wes Anderson star there’s an insouciant Jane Birkin.