Corduroys have always been one of my favorite alternatives to jeans for as long as I can remember. I loved wearing corduroys as a kid, and I still love them today. They have a unique charm in that they have a sense of nostalgia but they can also be styled to look very chic. I love how they come in different styles now so there’s an option for all body types. Today, I’m sharing a roundup of modern and updated ways you can wear these pants. They’re perfect for a casual Friday office look, a fall vacation, or to dress up for a dinner.
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What Is Wale Corduroy?
The lines you see on corduroys are called wales. The numbers of wales on corduroys determine the the look of each pair of pants. Some have a low count and others have a higher count of wales – you can always tell the difference based on how wide each individual wale looks. The pair I’m wearing above have fewer wales, which means the wales look bigger and more defined. They’re easier to see. The barrel corduroys I’m wearing later in this post have more wales, so the wales look thinner or fine.
How to Style Corduroy Pants: 10 Corduroy Pants Outfits
There are so many ways to style corduroy pants! The outfit ideas are below. First, here are a few pairs I love.
Wide Wale Corduroy Pants and Button Up
These wide wale corduroys trousers are a must-have for anyone who loves wide leg pants. I bought them on our trip to London, and I wore them all fall, winter, and spring. They’re chic, comfortable, and versatile. They’re a great option for those long days that you have work and something after work, whether it’s dinner or a school function for your kids.
I leaned into an oversized look with this button up. I used a belt to help break up my outfit – belts always create a horizontal line in your look and draw attention. If you’re wondering why you would want to create a horizontal line in your own outfit, it’s because horizontal lines are actually slimming when they’re styled with oversized pieces!
My exact button up is old from J.Crew, so I’m sharing one that looks nearly identical from Alex Mill, another brand I love.
How to Style Wide Wale Corduroy Pants and A Fitted Top
Wide leg pants always look good when you balance them out with a more fitted top. I went with a brown sweater, but the color of these corduroys is a true chameleon – it looks good with brown, black, cream, white, navy, and even grey. I’m 5’4, and I’m wearing the regular length. These pants also come in lots of other colors! I’ve been eyeing them in black corduroy since I bought this pair.
Wide Leg Corduroys Work Outfit
These are one way I’d style the same corduroy trousers I’m wearing above in black. They’re perfect for work, but I also think they’re perfect for a fall or winter city vacation. The button up and tank top (click here to see it on me) are both made of cupro, which is super breathable. Basically, you won’t get hot if you wear them to do a lot of walking on vacation.
Barrel Corduroy Pants With A Cropped Jacket
Barrel pants are flattering on most body types, and I love them in corduroy. The shape and fabric bring an edgy feeling to your outfit! They look especially chic with a short or cropped jacket, so you can really see the flattering shape. I like to make sure my barrel pants aren’t too long because they can feel overwhelming on your frame and even look frumpy if you don’t get the right length.
The pair I’m wearing are old from Everlane, so I’d go for this J.Crew pair that are also brown – they do come in other color options! I’m 5’4, so I’d purchase the petite length in the J.Crew corduroys.
Classic Corduroy Pants With A Denim Jacket
This type of outfit is an elevated casual look that you can wear during the day but also wear to dinner. If you’d like to make it really casual, you can wear loafers, ballet flats, or sneakers. You can also watch my reel with more outfit options with classic corduroy pants.
I’m sharing an updated version of my look below! I love the mix of textures, as well as the different tones of creams and tans. The denim jacket pulls it all together.
Colorful Sweater With Neutral Corduroys
I love how corduroys are kind of like jeans in that you can wear colors and patterns with them. Neutral corduroys are the perfect base to wear with a fun sweater when it’s cold outside.
1970’s Inspired Corduroy Trousers
I’m obsessed with these 1970’s-inspired corduroy trousers. The color is called nutmeg, and it just feels like the perfect fun color for fall. I’d style it with brown, but if you’re more into color, go with a warm yellow or a cool light blue. As you can see, it’s okay to mix different shades of brown together! This printed scarf would also look pretty with these pants.
Weekend Outfit with Green Corduroy Pants
I love these green corduroys so much for a fun weekend or vacation outfit. These pants are just as cute with sneakers as they are with flats or loafers. Versatility is so important to me when I buy anything! This J.Crew roll neck is one of my favorite sweaters – it’s a comfortable cotton that just happens to fall perfectly on you. It feels like an elevated casual piece that’s equal to the cropped corduroys. Plus, they’re both pieces you’d want to wear throughout fall and spring as opposed to winter.
Corduroys for a Travel Day
These drawstring corduroy pants seem like a great option for a travel day! You’ll be comfortable but still feel put together, which is always my goal on travel days. I picked this fun red color, but the pants come in lots of neutral colors too. Click here to shop this look.
Barrel Corduroys Perfect for Fall
These barrel leg corduroys are perfect for fall, winter, and spring. I love the light grey color because it will go with just about any other colors, whether you want to wear neutrals or brighter colors. You can wear these to work or on the weekend.
Are Corduroy Pants in Style?
Yes! Corduroys are a classic pant option for fall, winter, and spring. They’re versatile enough to wear for work, weekends, and travel. I love how they come in all different pant styles, such as straight leg, barrel leg, and wide leg styles – it feels like there’s a cut that works for everyone that’s on-trend but also suitable for a classic wardrobe. Corduroys are also in style in all different colors, whether you prefer a classic neutral or something that feels vintage 1970s.
Based on my office experience, I’d say corduroys are work appropriate for casual, business casual, and business dress codes. If you’re in a business or business casual work environment, I’d choose black or navy corduroys because they feel more professional. You can use accessories like scarves and jewelry to add your own personal style to your outfit.
How to Style Corduroy Pants for Different Body Types
Styling corduroy pants for different body types is similar to how you shop for jeans for your body shape. One of the best things about corduroys is the wales create built in vertical lines on your pants, which will always elongate your body shape. If you want to create the illusion of a longer torso instead of longer legs, choose corduroys that are a mid-rise instead of high rise. You can also style vertical lines on your top with a striped shirt.
Here are a few other tips on styling corduroy pants for different body types.
- Pear shape – benefit from high waisted corduroy pants, style with a blazer and belt balance proportions
- Rectangle shape – avoid wide leg pants that will create excess fabric. Instead, go for a barrel leg to help create shape without adding the extra fabric
What to Wear with Corduroy Pants
If you’re looking for specific items to shop for to wear with a pair of corduroy pants, here are a few I recommend wearing!
- Sweater in the same color as your corduroy pants for a monochrome look or tonal look
- Oversized blazer with straight leg corduroys
- Cropped blazer or jacket with wide leg corduroys
- Leather jacket for the fall or early spring
- Denim jacket
- Cashmere turtleneck
- Oversized sweater, especially with straight leg corduroys
- Wrap sweater
- Long sleeve layering shirt
- Classic button up to wear with corduroy trousers for work or a chic off duty look
What Shoes to Wear with Corduroy Pants
- Ballet flats – this is my shoe of choice if you’re wearing corduroys to work and don’t want to wear boots or heels.
- Speaking of boots, you can wear any type of boot that will fit under your corduroys and not leave a real space between your leg and pant.
- Kitten heel slingback shoes for a dressier vibe
- I would avoid over the knee boots with corduroys because your pants will likely bunch up! Instead, go for knee high boots that you can tuck your straight leg corduroys into
Can You Wear Corduroy in Summer?
Corduroy is not a popular summer fabric because it’s typically a warmer and heavier material than you want to wear in the summer heat. Corduroy with a higher number of wales – so corduroys that look like they have the thin wales – are the best option if you want to wear it into the late spring or in the early fall because they are usually not as thick.
How to Wash Corduroy Pants
Believe it or not, this is a frequently asked question, and it makes sense! I always check the care instructions on most things before I purchase them to make sure I’m okay with how they need to be cared for. I wash and dry the Varley corduroys I’m wearing in this post, for example. I think that’s true for most corduroys, but of course, just be sure to check the instructions!
Which Corduroy Pants Outfit Is Your Favorite?
That’s all from me on corduroys! I hope you found some outfit inspiration and helpful tips. Do you have a favorite look? Let me know in the comments!
