Consisting of fabric with evenly spaced parallel ridges on the surface, corduroy trousers are a popular choice of pants among fashion-conscious men. The ridges in corduroy are known as "wales." When you run your hand across the surface of corduroy trousers, you'll feel these wales.
Corduroy trousers are distinguished from other types of trousers by their use of wales. No other trousers have these characteristic ridges. Rather, wales are only found in corduroy trousers. When wearing corduroy trousers, though, you should follow a few simple dos and don'ts.
Do Choose a Comfortable Material
You might be surprised to learn that not all corduroy trousers are made of the same material. The term "corduroy" simply refers to fabric featuring wales. Therefore, corduroy trousers still require the use of a traditional material.
When shopping for corduroy trousers, you should check to see what material or materials they are made of. You really can't go wrong with 100% cotton corduroy trousers. With their soft texture, they offer long-lasting comfort.
Don't Let the Bottom Drag on the Ground
Regardless of what material or materials your corduroy trousers are made of, you should use caution when wearing them to prevent them from dragging on the ground. If your corduroy trousers are too big, for example, the bottom of the pant legs may touch the ground. And as they drag across the ground, they'll quickly degrade.
To prevent your corduroy trousers from dragging on the ground, be sure to get the right size. If necessary, you can accessorize them with a belt to further prevent them from dragging on the ground. With a belt, the corduroy trousers will remain around your waist at all times.
Do Consider Pairing With a Matching Jacket
If you enjoy the look and feel of corduroy, you may want to pair your corduroy trousers with a matching corduroy jacket. There are suit jackets made of the same corduroy materials as corduroy trousers. Wearing a pair of corduroy trousers with a matching corduroy suit jacket is an easy way to create a picture-perfect outfit.
You can find corduroy suit jackets available in a multitude of colors. Black is a popular choice because of the ease at which it can be integrated into outfits. If you have a black corduroy jacket, you'll probably be able to wear it with most of your outfits. Of course, you should choose a corduroy suit jacket in a color that matches your corduroy trousers. If you have black corduroy trousers, a black corduroy suit is an excellent choice. If your trousers are a different color, though, you may want to choose a corduroy suit jacket in the same color so that they'll match flawlessly.
Don't Forget the Footwear
Footwear can make or break the appearance of corduroy trousers. If your shoes or boots don't match your corduroy trousers, they won't offer any aesthetical benefits. Rather, they'll create a clashing style that does your outfit no justice.
What type of footwear should you choose for corduroy trousers? It really depends on what style you are trying to achieve, as well as the occasion for which you are wearing the outfit. For a formal style, you'll obviously need formal footwear, such as loafers. For a casual style, on the other hand, you'll have a little more freedom regarding your choice of shoes or boots. Regardless, though, you should wear shoes or boots that match your corduroy trousers.
Do Look for Lining
You'll experience a higher level of softness and comfort if you wear corduroy trousers with lining. What is lining exactly? Lining refers to a soft material that's sewn into the interior of a pair of trousers. Most trousers, of course, don't feature lining. The good news is that some trousers, including corduroy trousers, do feature lining.
Viscose is a common material used in the lining of corduroy trousers and other types of men's trousers. It's made of cellulose fiber that's both soft and gentle on your skin. When added to the interior of corduroy trousers, it makes them more comfortable to wear.
Don't Iron Them
Ironing is typically a fast and effective way to remove wrinkles from garments. For corduroy trousers, however, you should use a different approach to de-wrinkle them. The ridges or "wales" in corduroy may damage when exposed to heat from a clothing iron. If you iron your corduroy trousers, there's a chance the wales will shrink, resulting in damage that's difficult to repair.
If your corduroy trousers are wrinkled, consider taking them to a local dry cleaning establishment. Dry cleaning does more than just clean garments; it smooths out the surface so that wrinkles are less visible. More importantly, dry cleaning doesn't involve the use of direct heat, so it won't damage the wales in your corduroy trousers.
Do Choose a Matching Shirt
You can't expect to create an attractive outfit unless your shirt matches your corduroy trousers. Whether you're wearing a t-shirt, a polo shirt or a button-up dress shirt, you should consider the color and whether it matches your corduroy trousers. It doesn't have to be the same color as your shirt, but it should feature a similar color that flows cohesively with your corduroy trousers. The bottom line is that your shirt should match the corduroy trousers with which you wear it.
Don't Choose Low-Quality Corduroy Trousers
The quality of corduroy trousers varies. There are low-quality, medium-quality and high-quality corduroy trousers available. Low-quality corduroy trousers typically cost the least, but they pale in comparison to medium- and high-quality corduroy trousers.
If you're looking for a pair of long-lasting and comfortable corduroy trousers, you need to make sure they are high quality. Low-quality or even medium-quality corduroy trousers won't cut it. They may look fine, but they'll fail to offer a comfortable fit or high-end style. By sticking with high-quality corduroy trousers, you'll experience a greater level of performance, making them worth the nominal extra cost.