Mens Stretch Cords | Mens Corduroy Trousers By Paul Brown
Mens Stretch Fit Cord Trousers – Our Guide on Men’s Corduroy trousers
What can be said about corduroy trousers? One of the most classic fabrics available for trousers on the market, no other fabric of trousers makes feel quite as smart as a high-quality pair of cords. Cords make for a great substitute for your favourite jeans, wool trousers, or chinos, and can make for a more substantial fashion statement than any of those other varieties of trousers as well.
So if you’re looking for something new to incorporate into your trousers wardrobe, we recommend seeking out a pair of high-quality men’s corduroy trousers. In this article, we’ll be taking a look at the history of men’s cords, as well as giving you all of the information on what you should consider when purchasing a new pair.
Men’s Cords: A Brief History
While the name for corduroy was theorized to stem from the French words Cord Du Roi – the fabric of kings, that theory has since been debunked. The history of corduroy, in actuality, can be traced all the way back to Fustat Egypt in 200 B.C. (where the fabric was called Fustian), the modern cord trousers that we know and love hail from Manchester, England during the Industrial Revolution, where the fabric became the top choice for the apparel of factory workers due to its warmth and durability.
The fabric would exclusively be worn by labourers for the next century until it became popular with young people during the 1960s and 1970s as an alternative to denim and wool trousers. The rest is history.
Are cords in fashion for men?
Absolutely. As it stands currently, corduroy trousers have made a comeback in the 2020s, as nostalgic fashion continues to become more and more popular with each passing year. Since corduroy trousers have become nearly synonymous with the heyday of 60s and 70s fashion, they have come back in fashion in a big way. Nothing showcases your creativity and keen eye for fashion quite like a pair of cords, as they continue to stand out when compared to the more conventional chinos and denim jeans.
Things to Consider When Looking for Mens Stretch Cords
How About Fit? Cord Trousers – Slim or Classic Leg Cord Trousers
Because cords are often worn as a callback to vintage 60s and 70s fashion, they can often come available in wider, more nostalgic fits that harken back to these eras of men’s fashion. However, since slimmer cuts have become more fashionable in the modern era, many corduroy trouser manufacturers have updated their fits to feature slimmer profiles as well.
While slimmer profiles are more suitable for professional occasions (such as wearing your stretch cords to the office), we also think that wider cuts are suitable for this variety of trousers, due to the traditional cut of mens cords.
When it comes down to it, slimmer cuts will also look a bit smarter. However, wider cuts can work too, in the right situations. We’ll chalk this one up to personal preference.
Think About the Materials – Conventional or Stretch Cord Trousers
Another thing to consider when you’re shopping for a new pair of mens cords is the materials that the trousers are made of. Traditionally speaking, cords are typically made of cotton, or a blend of cotton and wool. Corduroy is a cotton-twill material, meaning the threads of the pant are woven in a diagonal, ribbed pattern.
As with many different varieties of trousers, men’s cords are now available in materials that feature stretch capabilities, making them more comfortable to wear for long periods of time. Corduroy trousers that are made completely from cotton can be quite stiff, which can prove to be uncomfortable.
If you plan on wearing your men’s corduroy trousers to the workplace, we recommend seeking out a pair that features a small percentage of stretch material, such as elastane. Elastane will help the cords feel more comfortable and less rigid.
At Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing by Paul Brown, all of our men’s corduroy trousers feature a 3% elastane construction, allowing you to feel comfortable while wearing them.
Colour: Which Colour of Mens Cords Should You Consider?
Like chinos, mens cords come in a variety of different colours, making them more versatile when it comes to pairing with different coloured shirts than denim. If you’re looking to wear your cords to work, we recommend searching for a neutral colour, such as navy, black, grey, olive, or brown.
If you’re looking to wear your cords in more casual settings, feel free to let your creativity shine with bold colours, such as purple, or light blue. A colourful pair of cords will make a positive statement on your taste and sense of style.
What Can You Wear Mens Cords With?
Like chinos and jeans, corduroy trousers are a very versatile garment that you can wear with a multitude of different pieces in your wardrobe. If you plan on wearing your cords for more formal occasions (such as work or a party) we recommend pairing them with a dress shirt, and even a jacket or sweater. Cords have a timeless appearance, so you can wear them as a substitute for chinos, or even for more formal wool suit trousers.
Conversely, you can also opt to wear your cords in more casual settings by pairing them with a t-shirt or henley shirt for an effortlessly smart look. In this case, your corduroy trousers can be worn as a substitute for casual jeans.
Country of Origin – Where Should Your Cords be Made?
When looking for a new pair of cords, you should also consider the country in which they’re produced. At Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing by Paul Brown, we make our men’s cords at our Suffolk factory in England. This allows us to maintain a high standard of quality and attention to detail, the same standards that have made British tailoring among the finest in the world.
WISC prides itself on its English routes, which is why we’ve opted to keep the production of all of our high-quality garments (including our stretch cords) in England.
Additionally, this means that we ensure that all of our staff are paid fairly as well.
When you put on a pair of WISC cords, you can wear them comfortably knowing they’re made with the finest materials, cut with keen attention to detail, creating a garment that is beautifully made, and crafted to last.
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