For years corduroy was a fabric left out in the cold, a menswear throwback no one would be seen dead in except Geography teachers, aging Trotskyists and, well, Jarvis Cocker.
No more. Now, corduroy is back with a vengeance, from the jackets in Stranger Things to the autumn / winter runways where Prada’s three-piece suits and Giorgio Armani’s zip-up hoodies were key corduroy sightings in a broader Seventies style revival.
Hard-wearing and warm, corduroy’s practical benefits have never been in doubt, but now the ridged ‘cord’ pattern – known as a ‘wale’ – is being appreciated once again as a way of adding depth and contrast to an outfit.
The problem is that, done sloppily, it will age you quicker than a glance at Donald Trump's Twitter feed. The trick to making sure your corduroy looks contemporary - rather than the result of raiding your Dad’s wardrobe - is to wear one key piece at a time, and avoid bagginess at all costs by keeping the style and cut modern.
And no leather patches. Definitely no leather patches.
Jackets
Ever since 1978 when Donald Sutherland wore a rumpled brown corduroy suit as try-hard English lecturer Dave Jennings in National Lampoon’s Animal House, the corduroy blazer has been synonymous with dullness and academia. And there’s nothing cool about academia.
A modern way to get some corduroy into your upper half rotation is to buy a jacket with a thick wade in a boxier cut, like a denim or bomber jacket. Neutral colours will always work, but if you’re feeling brave go for something fresher in mauve, olive or even sky blue, keeping the rest of your outfit nice and muted.
Bermondsey cotton-corduroy bomber jacket, by Oliver Spencer, £345. Buy it here.
Contrast-hem cotton-corduroy bomber jacket by Saint Laurent, £1,285. Buy it here.
Trousers
Your trousers are the safest and most ‘classic’ way into corduroy, but there are risks. Cut too wide and worn with boots or brogues, you’re going to stray into That ’70s Show territory. Instead go for a slim fit that tapers to the ankle, breaking at the top of your shoes – ideally a pair of minimalist leather trainers.
Slim-fit tapered pleated cotton-corduroy trousers, by Mr P, £165. Buy it here.
Green, slim-fit cotton-corduroy trousers by APC, £185. Buy it here.
Shirt
Smart layering is about mixing up textures, so a corduroy shirt is a great way to create some contrast with your cotton and wool wardrobe staples. Wear open over a t-shirt, buttoned up under a denim jacket or – it it’s chilly – both.
Gray, cotton-corduroy 'Hans' shirt by Norse Projects, £135. Buy it here.
Slim-fit cutaway-collar cotton-corduroy shirt, by Thom Sweeney, £235. Buy it here.
Suits
The 'expert level' of corduroy-dom (it's a thing), the key to wearing a corduroy suit is to stick to a narrow wade - also known as needlecord - that looks a bit like velvet for a slicker silhouette.
Thanks to corduroy's rep for being a bit slovenly, getting the fit perfect is more crucial than ever, so if you're buying off the peg, make sure you take it into a tailor for once over.
Finally, try and pair it with items that will counteract the retro vibe. A dress shirt buttoned up without a tie (air tie!), a roll-neck in a punchy colour or a denim shirt will all make a classic tan corduroy suit feel like it belongs in 2018, rather than 1978.
Green cotton-corduroy suit jacket by P. Johnson, £995. Buy it here.
Green cotton-corduroy suit trousers by P. Johnson, £295. Buy it here.
Storm-blue slim-fit stretch-cotton corduroy suit jacket by Boglioli, £640. Buy it here.
Storm-blue slim-fit stretch-cotton corduroy suit trousers by Boglioli, £260. Buy it here.
Main image all by Prada, styled by Catherine Hayward.
