The 15 Best Corduroy Pants to Rock This Fall
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If you’re like me, your earliest memories of corduroy are probably of some sad, adolescent overalls or ill-fitting trousers—ones too thick, too stifling, and not conducive to playtime. I had hardly given corduroy a second thought. Now, solidly in my 30s, I’m appreciating the joy of rediscovering things from my past, especially the style decisions I left in the deep recesses of my memory. On the days when I’d become completely bored of denim, tired of khakis, and nonplussed about wearing suits, I remembered the charms of corduroy. It’s professorial, textural, more intriguing than jeans or classic twill pants but is just as easy to wear. I started to become certain that a well-cut pair of corduroys could be just as interesting or useful as anything else in my closet.
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And so, to the market I went. The best corduroy pants today run the gamut—from reliable mass-market go-tos to investment-grade luxury options. In my opinion, corduroy pants have come a long way from whatever we wore as kids. The right pair could be exactly what your wardrobe needs this fall.
If you’re curious about the best corduroy pants—which you should be—here’s where to start.
What to Consider Before Buying the Best Corduroy Pants:
On one hand, corduroy is in the same universe as denim, khaki, or any other casual trouser. On the other hand, there are a few specific things you’ll want to keep in mind.
Material: The term “corduroy” refers to this textile’s distinctive raised cords, also known as wale. The thickness or wideness of the corduroy’s wale will have an impact on the overall appearance of the garment—finer wale looks more vintage and casual, and thicker, more robust wale looks more regal and impactful. And since the word “corduroy” refers to the way a fabric is woven, the actual material itself can be made from any combination of fibers. For that reason, you should think of corduroys the same way you think about jeans, especially when it comes to stretch: How much, if any, stretch works well for your frame and your style?
Fit: As with any pants these days, it’s possible to find fits from skinny to super fashion-forward relaxed fits. That being said, the best option for a reliable pair of corduroy pants is to go for something straight—not too slim and not too relaxed, unless you’re trying to make a style statement. Note: Pants in the slim-straight realm will give you the most mileage.
Seasonality: Corduroy is perfect for the cooler months. You’ll want to check on the thickness and heft of the particular pair you’re considering, as not all corduroys are created equal. But some of the thicker styles can be especially toasty, depending on the time of year you’re planning on wearing them.
Best Overall Corduroy Pants
Peter Millar Superior Soft Five-Pocket Corduroy Pant
Top marks go to these Peter Millar cords, made with a five-pocket construction that looks smart but doesn’t take itself too seriously. The fabric is a lightweight cotton that delivers that textured softness we want from a corduroy but still feels lightweight and breathable enough to wear on warmer fall days. A hint of stretch makes them a comfortable, flattering choice, too.
Fit: Slim.
Colors available: 6.
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Best Luxury Corduroy Pants
Brunello Cucinelli Garment-Dyed Cotton-Corduroy Trousers
We believe in Brunello. Italy’s most exacting cashmere designer lends the same attention to detail and eye for quality to these corduroy trousers as he does his iconic sweaters. Everything about them is perfect—from the buttery-soft corduroy fabric to the gently tapered silhouette to the garment-dyed process that lends added softness.
Fit: Slim.
Colors available: 2.
Buy Now on Mr Porter:
Best Athletic-Fit Corduroy Pants
Bonobos 5-Pocket Corduroy Pants
Corduroy pants run the risk of looking baggy or bulky because of the material, especially on guys who haven’t been skipping leg day. This pair from Bonobos has a degree of stretch that works especially well on thicker, fuller legs, along with a signature taper that starts below the knee. It’s also worth pointing out that in addition to the athletic fit, this 5-pocket corduroy style comes in no fewer than four other fits, which means there’s something for everyone.
Fit: Tailored, slim taper, slim, athletic, and straight.
Colors available: 12.
Buy Now on Bonobos:
Best Slim-Fit Corduroy Pants
Frame L’Homme Corduroy Slim-Fit Pants
Frame earned its reputation in the denim world by offering some of the best tailored jeans in the market, styles that look sharp but feel relaxed. Of course, the brand brings the same characteristics to its pair of corduroy pants. The cut is characteristically slim, tapering down the leg to give you a clean silhouette, and the versatile khaki color will pair nicely with almost everything in your wardrobe.
Fit: Slim.
Colors available: 1.
Buy Now on Saks Fifth Avenue:
Best Drawstring Corduroy Pants
Hartford Tanker Drawstring Cotton-Corduroy Pants
When considering the term “corduroys,” you might think college professors, librarians, and office-dwellers. But these drawstring pants from Hartford offer a positively cool, ever-so comfortable twist on the classic.
Fit: Slim.
Colors available: 2.
Buy Now on Mr Porter:
Best Denim-Style Corduroy Pants
Barena Sesto Olsar Corduroy Pants
Leave it to Barena to make even corduroys feel totally irresistible. The cut, the fabric, the details, every last inch of these babies are totally sublime—but it’s the wash that sent us over the edge. They’re broken in, almost like your favorite pair of jeans, with subtle discolorations to make it seem like you’ve had them forever.
Fit: Straight.
Colors available: 1.
Buy Now on Saks Fifth Avenue:
Best Stretch Corduroy Pants
L.L.Bean Stretch Country Corduroy Pants
Straight-cut, reliable, and as all-American as apple pie, but with a twist: This classic cord from L.L.Bean comes with just the right hint of stretch, making it a comfortable choice to wear all day long. It will also accommodate thicker legs comfortably.
Fit: Straight.
Colors available: 4.
Buy Now on L.L.Bean:
Best Cuffed Corduroy Pants
Golden Goose Journey Skater Corduroy Pants
If you’re going to cuff your pants, you better commit—and this Golden Goose pair will definitely deliver. It’s thick, perfectly pressed, and skims the ankles in a way that commands attention. We see this pair working with a nautical-style sweater for your next weekend on Nantucket or, as its name suggests, the local skate park.
Fit: Straight.
Colors available: 1.
Buy Now on Neiman Marcus:
Best Tab Closure Corduroy Pants
Berle Straight-Leg Italian Corduroy Pants
Go ahead and skip the belt—tab closure pants are designed for risk takers. But in all seriousness, there’s something particularly smart and put-together about this slim-straight Italian corduroy, thanks to its straight (but not too slim) fit and, of course, trouser-style tab closure.
Fit: Straight.
Colors available: 5.
Buy Now on Nordstrom:
Best Wide-Wale Corduroy Pants
Boglioli Cotton-Corduroy Pants
The Italian house of Boglioli is all about soft tailoring, and these straight-leg corduroy trousers are no exception. They’re made from a luxurious Italian wide-wale cotton corduroy that looks as good as it feels. They’re especially great when matched with the matching suit jacket—an ensemble primed for cocktail parties.
Fit: Straight.
Colors available: 1.
Buy Now on Mr Porter:
Best Cargo Corduroy Pants
Native Youth Relaxed-Fit Cargo Corduroy Pants
There’s something magnetic about these cargo corduroy pants, which incorporate cargo pockets in an innovative way. The relaxed fit and elastic waistband make them an impossibly cool upgrade to the athleisure you’ve been wearing on flights and weekends.
Fit: Relaxed.
Colors available: 1.
Buy Now on Nordstrom:
Best Printed Corduroy Pants
Celine Homme Dylan Tiger-Print Cotton-Corduroy Pants
Take a walk on the wild side with these Celine Homme corduroys, inspired by 1970’s Parisian discos. An everyday, wear-to-the-office corduroy these are not. But doesn’t every guy deserve a statement piece in his wardrobe to channel his inner Mick Jagger?
Fit: Straight.
Colors available: 1.
Buy Now on Mr Porter:
Best Casual Corduroy Pants
Oliver Spencer Drawstring Corduroy Pants
Introducing the corduroy designed for the statement-maker. This pair from Oliver Spencer comes in a relaxed fit with a ruched elastic waist. Wear them as-is, cuff the ankles, wear them however you like; they’ve got the perfect amount of slouch for casual wear.
Fit: Relaxed.
Colors available: 3.
Buy Now on Oliver Spencer:
Best White Corduroy Pants
Mavi Marcus Slim Straight-Leg Corduroy Pants
Who says you can’t wear white after Labor Day? Technically, these are off-white, so you can sport them year-round, right? Right! Nothing telegraphs sophisticated off-duty style quite like a white pant. These corduroys have that casual, not-trying-too-hard vibe that makes the (off) white colorway feel cool at any time of year.
Fit: Slim-straight.
Colors available: 1.
Buy Now on Mavi:
Best Pleated Corduroy Pants
Drake’s Brown Mid-Wale Single-Pleat Corduroy Pants
The pleat, perfected. That’s how we view these cords. The weight and heft of the corduroy makes the pleats on these classic trousers a more stylish silhouette—something you could wear to work, wear to dinner, and wear on your days off with confidence and timeless style. This being Drake’s, they’re also finished with fantastic details, such as a half-lining, extended tab front closure, and elegant side adjusters in lieu of belt loops.
Fit: Tailored.
Colors available: 4.
Buy Now on Drake’s:
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