THE MEN'S FASHION GUIDE: FABRICS

CORDUROY

E.J. Topper's Fabric Tips:

Corduroy has been the staple fabric for outdoor sporting events since Brits in the 19th century discovered its softness and durability made for the perfect fabric for fox hunts, cricket matches, and football. These days when you think of corduroy you probably think back to your long-haired, rock and roll saturated days in the late 60s and 70s. Corduroy is still around and it is still a valuable part of your wardrobe.

Decked out in a pair of tailored, khaki-colored corduroy trousers, a 100% cotton button up, and a tweed jacket, Topper recently related a story to a society of adventurers at a certain New England Ivy League school. “You might not believe me, but it was these same pants I wore during my two days lost in the Scottish Highlands, running low on water and out of food, before we stumbled upon a shepherd and his Border Collie in a meadow.”

From the classroom to the forest, corduroy delivers durability and a certain kind of style. Corduroy has fallen out of popular fashion, but seems to be making a comeback. This means two things. First, you can be a trendsetter by wearing corduroy. Second, you can still wear it, regardless of your desire to be trendy, as long as it is well tailored and traditional in color. As Topper shows us, corduroy is durable and reliable, perhaps more so than other fabrics on the market.