How to style corduroy pants?

As retro fashion styles have become popular again in recent years, corduroy has become a topic that fashion gurus cannot avoid. Corduroy, with its unique texture, touch and good warmth retention, has become one of the most popular fabrics of the season.

Thirty or forty years ago, corduroy was a fabric that was popular among both men and women, young and old. Almost every fashionable lady had a corduroy jacket, and every child had a pair of corduroy pants. When fashion trends bring back these corduroy pants that carry the childhood memories of our generation, you will find that they are still so classic. And, because of the childhood filter, they always seem to have a retro atmosphere. But now you are no longer a little girl, you need to cope with more occasions and pay more attention to your outfit. So, how can you wear corduroy pants on more occasions and in a more fashionable way?

What Are the Differences between Corduroy and Velvet?

Corduroy and velvet have many similarities in terms of both visual effect and feel. But at the same time, there are many differences between the two that can be used to distinguish them. To speak more specifically:

First of all, in terms of appearance, velvet fabrics tend to be one smooth piece, while corduroy fabrics have many vertical stripes. This is due to the different manufacturing processes of the two. Velvet is a knitted fabric, while corduroy is a woven fabric. Interweaving two sets of weft yarns with one set of warp yarns, corduroy has obvious vertical pile strips.

The two also have different properties and advantages. Velvet is softer and lighter, while corduroy is rougher but more durable. This has a lot to do with the materials used to produce the two fabrics. Although both of them use cotton as the main raw material, velvet has higher requirements on the quality of cotton, and needs longer and high-quality long-staple cotton as the main raw material. While when making corduroy, polyester, acrylic, spandex and other fibers are added to make corduroy more wear-resistant.

Since the production process of corduroy is relatively simple and the raw material cost is low, the price of corduroy products is often lower. Velvet has higher requirements for the quality of raw materials, so the price of the finished product is usually higher than corduroy. As a result, corduroy is often used to make clothes for daily wear and can also be used to make some household items. Velvet, due to its elegant appearance and soft texture, is often used to make clothing on more formal occasions such as evening gowns, cheongsams, etc.

Finally, there are also some differences in the washing methods between velvet and corduroy. Since velvet is not as durable as corduroy, it requires extra gentle care. Velvet is generally recommended to be dry cleaned, because washing in water may cause the fabric to shrink, deform or lose its luster. Corduroy can be washed in water or even in the machine on the gentle mode.

Are Corduroy Pants Still in Trend?

To be honestly, corduroy pants are not always popular like jeans. For many years at the beginning of this century, corduroy clothing almost disappeared. But this year, you will find that all kinds of corduroy clothing, especially pants, seem to be resurrected, appearing in the dressing tutorials of various celebrities and on men and women on the streets. So if you ask whether corduroy pants are still in trend now, the answer must be yes, but why are corduroy pants, which have been silent for many years, returning to the fashion stage again? Which colors of corduroy pants are particularly popular this year?

The resurgence of corduroy pants has a lot to do with the return of the retro trend. In the fashion stage of 2025, retro elements shine brightly. Corduroy, as a fabric with a retro texture, has become an important fabric for many brands to show trendy style, and has also been favored by more and more brand designers. The rediscovery of corduroy elements by major brands and fashion experts has made corduroy pants shine again, and they are entering the wardrobes of fashion-loving ladies more frequently.

The popular corduroy pants in 2025 are diverse in color and style, and the continuous innovation of color and style is also one of the important reasons why corduroy pants are favored by consumers again. Specifically, the more popular colors this year include:

🦢Khaki. Khaki is the most common color of corduroy pants and was also the most popular color more than 30 years ago. Therefore, khaki corduroy pants are one of the most classic choices. In addition, khaki itself is a very versatile color, so this may be the safest choice.

🦢White and grey. Regardless which fashion item it is, white, black and grey are the most popular because they are the most versatile neutral colours. Gray corduroy pants are with a high-end feel and are suitable for office ladies to create a professional look, while white corduroy pants look particularly fresh and give people a tender feeling.

🦢Bright colors like pink and green. These bold colors of corduroy pants are the new favorite of fashion trendsetters. These bright colors are full of vitality and enthusiasm, adding highlights to the overall outfit. However, if you are not particularly good at color matching, these particularly bright colors are not recommended.

What Tops to Wear with Corduroy Pants?

There are many tops of various styles that are perfect to pair with corduroy pants. From office styles, retro styles to casual styles, you can definitely find the tops that you like best!

🦢A shirt. Shirts of different colors and patterns can be used to create many different styles together with a pair of corduroy pants. For example, a basic white lapel shirt and a pair of white, gray or beige corduroy pants can be combined to create a commuter style. A shirt with polka dots or stripes can further enhance the retro style.

🦢A hoodie. For a casual and cozy look, a pair of corduroy pants will not look out of place either. If you've already chosen a pair of neutral-colored corduroy pants, then you can choose a hoodie in a brighter color, such as red, yellow, etc.

🦢A cardigan. To create a more tender and elegant outfit, you can wear a cardigan with a pair of corduroy pants. The color can be beige, pink, blue, etc., to magnify a gentle atmosphere. You can also choose a short knitted cardigan and match it with high waist corduroy pants to raise the waistline and show a perfect figure proportion.

🦢A jacket. Whether it is a bomber jacket or a denim jacket, you can try to combine it with corduroy pants. A denim jacket itself is suitable for any style, including retro style. The combination of a bomber jacket and corduroy pants can create a contrast to achieve a unique and fashionable outfit.

How to Create a Retro Outfit with Corduroy Pants?

Although corduroy pants are with a retro feel, a complete retro look also requires the complementary of a top and accessories. Here are several retro outfits with corduroy pants for your reference.

A white lapel shirt + a burgundy velvet blazer + a pair of grey corduroy pants

No more hesitating between velvet and corduroy! This look combines these two vintage-inspired fabrics together. Coupled with the burgundy color, this look instantly transforms you into a career beauty from the 1980s!

A yellow shirt with polka dots + a pair of khaki corduroy pants + a pair of leather shoes

This look is the most classic casual outfit of the 1980s style. Polka dot shirts are also very representative retro items. So the combination of a polka dot shirt and a pair of corduroy pants will undoubtedly further enhance the retro atmosphere of your look. In addition, yellow and khaki have similar tones, so a yellow polka dot shirt will be more harmonious in color with khaki corduroy pants. Added with a pair of delicate leather shoes, your outfit will be certainly eye-catching no matter where you are.

A tank top + a Boho geometric patterns printed shawl + a pair of grey corduroy pants

The mix of retro and bohemian styles is also worth trying! Geometric prints are a common element of Bohemian style, and the grey corduroy pants echo the earth tones commonly seen in Bohemian styles. Ankle boots, metal bracelets and wooden beads are accessories that can complement this look.

A vertical striped shirt + a sweater vest + a pair of corduroy pants + a leather belt

This outfit combines retro style with the sense of layering which is very popular now. At the same time, the vertical corduroy echoes the vertical stripes of the shirt, which can fully reflect your fashion taste. In terms of color, you can choose a pair of corduroy pants in the color of the similar tone to the sweater vest to achieve a harmonious and unified effect.