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The corduroy fabric is one of the most unique in fashion. With its distinctive rib pattern, cords offer the wearer the perfect combination of style and comfort. However, if you’ve never bought a pair of corduroy trousers or shorts, then you may be a little apprehensive when it comes to the options available.
This guide will give you the top tips to consider, and, we'll also give you a peek at the 10 best men's cords available in the UK. We've got skinny cords, slim fit cords, and 5 pocket cords, including a wide range of styles suitable for both work or play. So get ready to discover this strong, durable and supremely comfortable new addition to your wardrobe.
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Traditionally, cords did not come in slimmer profiles. However, due to the tastes of the past decade or so, companies have begun to develop their style. Now, some of the most popular choices of cords come in skinny and slim fit.
While these two styles are slightly different, the idea behind them is essentially the same. Both skinny and slim cords offer a narrower fit than the others (skinny being slimmer than slim) as the legs taper from the hip to the ankle. This fit tends to suit those who have a naturally slimmer build. However, if you feel good in skinny or slim trousers, don’t be put off taking the plunge! This is only advice, after all.
Wrap up warm with our Best Cardigans for Men!
Straight fit is the classic corduroy style. As the name implies, straight fit trousers have a consistent leg width that runs from the hip to the ankle. Therefore, these offer greater movement and flexibility but will feel a little more snug in the thigh than the lower leg.
This cut works for several different styling scenarios. From relaxed, everyday aesthetics to smart-casual, given that you pair them with the right outfit. Straight fit trousers are also some of the most popular because they are excellent at suiting all types of figures, making them a great choice if you're a little unsure which style to go for.
Finally, we have wide leg cords. While slim and skinny jeans have dominated fashion over the past 15 years or so, the tide must be turning as the industry is starting to make more and more wide leg and boot cut trousers.
Now, these aren’t to be confused with bell bottoms or flares (we’ve not travelled back to the 70s!), these styles have a leg that is as wide at the hem as it is throughout the thigh, knees and calves.
This is also a versatile cut that can be styled baggy or straight, depending on the length of the leg. They tend to have a button-up front, similar to jeans, and the wide leg corduroy is considered a much more casual style that's not particularly suited to formal events.
Complete the look with our Best Linen Shirts for Men!
If you’ve ever looked into buying corduroy before, then you’ll likely have seen that, for the most part, corduroy is considered a trouser material. This is likely because of its durability and the warmth provided by the thickness of the cotton pattern. However, lately, brands have begun to explore it with shorts.
The material makes corduroy shorts a solid choice for evening or formal wear and provides a nice change in texture if you’re usually wearing chinos or jeans. While they might not have fully caught on yet, we think cord shorts are definitely worth exploring.
One thing to mention with corduroy shorts is that they usually only come in one fit – regular. Therefore, if you prefer slimmer or baggier shorts, this material might not be the best choice.
Opt for denim with our Best Ripped Jeans for Men!
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Price | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Goodthreads Straight Fit 5 Pocket Corduroys | £23.00 Mid | The Pair of Cords That Work for Every Man | ||
2 | Wrangler Corduroy Shorts | £14.46 Low Mid | A Top-Quality Product From a Top Brand | ||
3 | Obey Easy Cord Tapered Trousers | £80.00 High | When Art Meets Clothes With Drawstring Cords | ||
4 | ASOS Design Wide Leg Cord Trousers | £38.00 High Mid | A Relaxed Pair to Complete Your Baggy Outfit | ||
5 | Amazon Essentials Men's Pleated Classic-fit Stretch Corduroy | £19.68 Low Mid | Bright Red Cords For the Flamboyant Few | ||
6 | Kavu Chilli Ray Cord Shorts | £52.50 High Mid | Balancing Traditional and Modern | ||
7 | Puma Downtown Cord Trousers | £39.00 High Mid | An Amalgamation of Different Designs | ||
8 | ASOS Design Cigarette Fit Trousers in Khaki Mini Cord | £32.00 Mid | Ease Your Way Into the World of Cords | ||
9 | ASOS Design Slim Cord Shorts With Cargo Pockets | £28.00 Mid | Short Shorts That Are Bold but Versatile | ||
10 | New Look Loose Cord Trousers | £13.70 Low | The Perfect Cords for a Summer Wardrobe |
When choosing our number one spot, we searched for a pair of cords that would look great on every man. Hence, why we opted for these from Goodthreads. This pair of trousers style a straight cut, which is suitable for a range of figures and is available in seven different colours if you're not too keen on the beige.
Moreover, they have the classic five pockets that one would expect from their trousers. But, our favourite part - they're incredibly affordable, meaning that no bloke will be priced out. After all, we all deserve to look the part, right?
While Wrangler might be better known for their jeans than anything else, their top-quality approach to making garments is apparent throughout their entire range, including these corduroy shorts. They have a classic button-down zipper, a five-pocket design and are available in a neutral, dusty shade of green.
They are a little on the long side when it comes to shorts, however, they're still above the knee, which tends to be considered the 'rule'. Plus, if you wanted, you could always roll them up to get the perfect length.
Obey is a company founded by artist Shepard Fairey, and while you may have never heard his name, you'll certainly have seen his work. His most famous piece to date - the design with Obama and 'hope' written underneath - that was this guy! Given this, you just know that his brand has as much flair and attention to detail as he does.
Another top product by Obey is these Easy Cord Trousers. The design is exquisite with perfect, flexible dimensions, made with cosy cotton cord and a lovely elasticated waist with an inner drawstring. Sure, they're a little more expensive, but they've got heritage, which is something you pay for.
If you're searching for cords to embrace the relaxed look, then these wide-leg trousers from ASOS Design will be right up your street. They've got a nice neutral charcoal finish, meaning you don't need to worry about what colours you're pairing with them, and they're known to run true to size, providing confidence while purchasing.
These trousers will look great paired with other relaxed clothing such as oversized t-shirts and big hoodies, giving the impression of the street style that has been popular since the 80s. Weirdly, they only have one back pocket, but for this kind of style, we're sure you can live with that.
If you're looking to make a statement, there's nothing like buying a pair of red trousers. Although they do have a certain flamboyance when it comes to aesthetics, the practical side of the trousers is also there, with five pockets and a nice taper throughout the leg.
The company provides a range of sizes from 28" - 42" and a couple more neutral colours, such as grey and black should you prefer. It's also worth mentioning that these are quite a steal considering how much it costs for clothes nowadays!
Kavu is a company that aims to put the fun in all its pieces, and we're not just saying that - it's actually their mission statement! They make a range of outdoor clothing and accessories, each of which is guided by this philosophy. Take these shorts, they might look pretty normal to the untrained eye, but they've got a nifty belt feature that works alongside an elasticated strap.
Moreover, they have double-stitched seams for reinforcement, meaning they're much more durable than your average pair of shorts. With all these features in tow, we find that these shorts perfectly balance the traditional and modern take on cords. They might be a bit on the pricey side, but if you're lucky enough to have the cash, we're sure you'll love them just as much as we do.
Okay, we have to be honest, the initial idea of cargo cords didn't really float our boat. But the more we look at these trousers, the more we love them! Sure, the colour and design are a bit out there, but they look like they'd work really well if you have the wardrobe to fit.
For even more of an amalgamation of different styles, they've got a straight cropped cut, which isn't regularly found on either cargos or cords. Yet here they are, in our top ten. They'll likely be a bit too much of a stretch for some men, but if you've got the confidence to pull them off, then why not!
While khaki might be the customary colour for chinos, it works just as well with a pair of cords. The colour is easy to combine with the rest of your wardrobe, making it a solid choice for your first pair. These are also cigarette fit, meaning they're not too big a jump style-wise from what many people already wear.
However, it's worth mentioning that previous customers have found that they run a little small in size. Therefore, we recommend working your way through the sizing guide on the website, which is surprisingly comprehensive.
Next, we have a pair of cord shorts. The fit is slim and incredibly complimentary to many body types and styles. We love the colour ASOS have chosen, as the subtly makes them a really versatile option.
Furthermore, the shorts have four pockets if you include the two large cargo side pockets. The slightly shorter length may be the stumbling block for some people, although it is worth mentioning that this style can make you appear taller if you're a little on the shorter side.
Starting off the ranking is this set of off-white corduroy trousers. Interestingly, although they're considered a regular fit, to our eyes, they seem like they could also work as straight cuts. The colour is also perfect for spring or summer.
That said, some people may find the lightness of the cords a little alarming, and they could be easily stained or scuffed, particularly if you're a clumsy person by nature. However, if you're looking for some cords for your summer wardrobe, these will surely do the job.
Written and researched by Lewis Clark
No. 1: Goodthreads|Straight Fit 5 Pocket Corduroys
No. 2: Wrangler|Corduroy Shorts
No. 3: Obey|Easy Cord Tapered Trousers
No. 4: ASOS Design|Wide Leg Cord Trousers
No. 5: Amazon Essentials |Men's Pleated Classic-fit Stretch Corduroy
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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