A corduroy jacket is this autumn’s most versatile style move
It’s no secret that we love corduroy at Gentleman’s Journal. But, at this time of the year, there really is nothing better…
Words: Jonathan Wells
Don’t act surprised. This isn’t the first time you’ve heard us praise corduroy. In fact, we’ve been rather vocal in the past about our love for the ridged velvet fabric. We’ve encouraged you to buy cord button-downs, trousers — even baseball caps. There was even that time we got a little shirty about corduroy suits…
But for good reason — because corduroy is one hell of a material. It’s made from tough stuff; literally, with a rugged, ridged composition and insulating properties. What’s more, it’s the king of the smart casual dress code — endlessly versatile almost all year round. But no months suit this splendid fabric more than the crunchy-leafed, chilly-aired, pumpkin-spiced days of autumn. And no garment better fits the corduroy bill than a jacket…
Corduroy doesn’t always mean casual
Oh, you think corduroy is too casual for a suit jacket or blazer? Tell that to James Bond. That’s right, for 007’s first ready-to-wear suit in Daniel Craig’s five-film run, the super-spy will be seen plumping for corduroy in the upcoming No Time To Die. It’s a great choice. With the stiff properties of cord, jackets and blazers crafted from the fabric hold their shape immeasurably better than other options — and are much cosier, too.
You don’t even have to sacrifice on style. Just take a look at Ralph Lauren’s take on the design, with hand-sewn natural shoulders and rolled lapels. In a deep, rich navy, it has a similar style to Oliver Spencer’s less-fitted option — itself finished with subtly smart-casual subtle horn buttons. Or, to follow in Bond’s footsteps, go for Massimo Alba’s cream option, with patch chest and angled welt pockets.
An overshirt in corduroy is seasonal and stylish
That’s not to say corduroy can’t be casual. In fact, it’s up there with denim and leather when it comes to rough-and-ready ruggedness. Naturally, then, it perfectly suits the cut of a chore jacket, bleu de travail or overshirt. Covered in pockets and blessed with rollable cuffs, the overshirt is as adaptable as men’s garments get — and a darkly coloured corduroy overshirt is an autumn essential.
From A Day’s March, this heavy cord overshirt looks like it was created specifically for the season. With button cuffs and hidden pockets, it’ll seamlessly transition from jacket to layering piece as we approach winter. NN07’s stretch-cotton shirt has double flap pockets and a velvety finish to offer — and Arket’s wide-cord, straight-cut option is perhaps the most practical of the lot.
Corduroy and shearling are a match made in autumn
Which brings us to the sheer beauty of shearling. Equal parts practical and graceful, there’s something elegantly autumnal about shearling. It’s got the colour palette down to a burnished, auburn tee — and will keep your neck cosy on even the chilliest of October days. Throw corduroy into the mix, and you’ve got a jacket to beat out all others in your wardrobe.
Of course, there’s a cost to shearling. Brunello Cucinelli’s take on the trucker style introduces cashmere — and a price tag north of £5,000. Oliver Spencer’s corduroy-shearling bomber is more reasonable, especially given those practical ribbed trims. But our pick, if only for the price? Levi’s faux-shearling ‘Sherpa’ jacket — complete with a quilted lining and those oh-so important corduroy ridges.
Looking to stay on trend? These are the 5 style trends men should know about this autumn…
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