There was once a time when corduroy trousers were reserved for dads and the odd university professor and usually came in garish reds and bold burgundies. It was a time when for a young GQ editor’s style to include retro corduroys would have simply been unthinkable. And yet now, after a long run in the spotlight, denim is moving over to make room for velvet’s ribbed cousin, corduroy, once more.
First hitting its stride in the early ’70s, corduroy was donned as a symbol of the anti-establishment movement, often worn by musicians, artists and creatives alike — think Bob Dylan, with his shaggy locks and dark wayfarers. Now, after living in the shadows of men’s legwear for nearly five decades, the humble corduroy trouser is back, alongside a renewed interest in preppy dad-dressing with the likes of chinos and polo shirts.
So whether you’re an English professor or a dedicated follower of fashion, the time is ripe to invest in a pair of cords. From affordable options by Weekday and Uniqlo to the designer panache of Gucci and Billionaire Boys Club, check out GQ’s picks of the best corduroy trousers up for grabs this season.
What are GQ's best corduroy trousers for men?
You'll find all the corduroy trousers worth your consideration in the gallery below, but first, here's what our editors are wearing this season:
- Best overall corduroy trousers: Levi's, £95, levi.com
- Best budget corduroy trousers: Reiss, £98, reiss.com
- Best designer corduroy trousers: Mr P., £175, mrporter.com
- Best unusual corduroy trousers: Carhartt WIP, £84.50, asos.com
