Best corduroy trousers for embracing the ’70s resurgence (2024)

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Best corduroy trousers for embracing the ’70s resurgence? ›

Corduroy reached peak popularity in the 1970s, where it was worn as a symbol of anti-establishment. Loved by musicians, artists and directors - it has been famously worn by Woody Allen, Bob Dylan, Pablo Picasso and Wes Anderson.

Corduroy reached peak popularity in the 1970s, where it was worn as a symbol of anti-establishment. Loved by musicians, artists and directors - it has been famously worn by Woody Allen, Bob Dylan, Pablo Picasso and Wes Anderson.

They can be recycled or repurposed, making them a great choice for those who love sustainable fashion. If you're looking for a wardrobe staple, corduroy pants will definitely still be in style for 2024. Their versatility, sustainability, and comfort factor make them a favorite among fashion-conscious individuals.

In 2024, 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 contemporary autumn/winter collections.

A wale is a column of loops running lengthwise, corresponding to the warp of woven fabric. The lower the number, the thicker the wales' width (e.g., 4-wale is much thicker than 11-wale). Wale count per inch can vary from 1.5 to 21, although the traditional standard is usually between 10 and 12.

Popular styles included bell bottom pants, frayed jeans, midi skirts, maxi dresses, tie-dye, peasant blouses, and ponchos. Some accessories that will help pull together your early '70s Hippie outfits are chokers, headbands, scarves, and jewelry made of wood, stones, feathers, and beads.

Corduroy became fashionable again as a symbol of the anti-establishment ideals of the 1960s counterculture movement and peaked the following decade. After resurfacing during the grunge era of the 1990s, the regard for corduroy has waxed and waned.

Cord material is heavy and tends to give a fitted look on the body due to which you might look a little chubby. So the point here to avoid fitted style on the areas you tend to carry more weight. If you carry more weight on hips (pear shape) like me, opt for flare and mid-length skirts.

To wear corduroy pants as effectively as possible: Opt for corduroy pants that have a slim, straight cut whenever you can. That will prevent your legs and trousers from looking overly baggy. More specifically, your corduroy pants shouldn't have any break at the bottom of the leg.

Go for a classic combination.

A crisp, white shirt—loose or tucked in—will always be a clean pairing with corduroy pants. Tuck in your tee and wear dressier for a smart casual, or leave your shirt untucked and wear sneakers for a more relaxed look.

What are the rules for corduroy fashion? ›

A key rule for corduroy (or any visibly textured fabric) is to wear one piece at a time. You don't want a corduroy jacket over a corduroy shirt, or with corduroy trousers in a different color. A matched corduroy suit is an exception here, but that should never be paired with a corduroy shirt either.

Corduroy pants have always felt like a sister pant to jeans, just not quite as cool. But that's changing this fall, since the newest styles have made me look twice! If you've also noticed a lot more corduroy and wondered if corduroy pants are in fashion in 2023, the answer is yes!

Corduroy is comfortable when worn indoors and warm when worn outside, but the time when it shines the most is as transitional wear. Thanks to its variability, corduroy excels when you're going in and out of the outdoors.

Called the “poor man's velvet,” corduroy took off in real volume with the popularity of jeans in the late 1960s and early 1970s, when five pocket corduroy jeans or corduroy jackets hung in millions of closets.

Crafted entirely from cotton, the needlecord fabric is both incredibly soft and remarkably resilient. Distinguished by its understated, slightly raised stripes, this 21 wale corduroy offers a refined take on traditional pile textures.

Wale Count & Types of Corduroy

The width of the wales defines the texture of the Corduroy. This is measured by the number of wales per square inch, e.g. 14-Wale. Corduroy with wider wales, such as 1.5, is often used on upholstery or hard wearing trousers, while a wale measurement of 14 will make for a finer garment.

Called the “poor man's velvet,” corduroy took off in real volume with the popularity of jeans in the late 1960s and early 1970s, when five pocket corduroy jeans or corduroy jackets hung in millions of closets. Levi's alone sold tens of millions of pairs of corduroy jeans by the early 1970s.

1. Bellbottoms. Bellbottoms were like the clothing mullet before the mullet was really a thing. These pants that looked business up top yet screamed party down low were a staple for 70's fashion goers everywhere.

Generally the most famous silhouette of the mid and late 1970s for both genders was that of tight on top and loose on bottom. The 1970s also saw the birth of the indifferent, anti-conformist casual chic approach to fashion, which consisted of sweaters, T-shirts, jeans and sneakers.

Paisley. The paisley pattern is another frequent sight in 70s-inspired patterns. We can also thank the hippie movement of this era for popularizing this aesthetic in papers, clothing, and artworks related to the decade.