Or at least, that was corduroy of old. This autumn, the ribbed stuff has undergone something of a rebrand. On the AW26 catwalks, Tory Burch, The Row and Isabel Marant all sent out slouchy cord trousers, while elsewhere the fabric has appeared in oversized jackets, neat pea coats and thoroughly modern barrel-leg shapes.
Perhaps its return shouldn't surprise us. Fashion's current appetite for texture has already brought suede, brushed wool and velvet back into favour, and cord does much the same job while being considerably easier to wear. It also looks truly excellent in autumn's current palette of chocolate, tobacco, burgundy, olive and rust.
The trick, if memories of childhood dungarees still loom large, is to keep the silhouette contemporary. A wide or barrel leg rather than a bootcut; a boxy jacket rather than a fitted blazer. Convinced? These are the corduroy pieces we're happily making space for now.
The Trousers
Uniqlo Corduroy Barrel Trousers, £39.90
Uniqlo has taken two autumn obsessions – cord and the barrel leg – and combined them in a pair of trews that feels considerably more current than the classic straight cord. We like the dark brown with a white shirt, loafers and a good coat.
Free People We The Free Fable Washed Cord Twisted Jeans, £158
Corduroy, but make it pink. We love the coming together of sturdy, warm and practical textiles with an eye-popping bubble gum hue.
Arket Barrel-Leg Corduroy Trousers, £51
A more exaggerated, loose barrel shape in dark chocolate brown. These are the ones for anyone who craves the warmth of cord but wishes to swerve accusations of being too sensible with it.
Arket Wide-Leg Corduroy Trousers, £85
Burgundy remains one of autumn's hottest colours, and these have a lovely relaxed, almost mannish cut. Add grey cashmere and trainers by day; a silk blouse and heels after dark.
Penny Martin x Arket Corduroy Trousers, £85
Dark navy instantly makes cord feel pretty polished. Cut wide and relaxed, these would be very good indeed with a fine knit and loafers for an easy alternative to jeans.
M&S High Waisted Flared Corduroy Trousers, £32
M&S makes a strong case for the return of the cord flare with this dark khaki pair. High-waisted, flattering and an excellent partner to autumn’s knits, they look far more expensive than their £32 price tag.
Toast
Twisted Seam Cord Trousers, £115
Toast was never going to sit out a corduroy revival, and this golden amber pair is exactly what the brand does so well. The curved leg and twisted seams give the classic fabric a more interesting shape, while that rich ochre shade is autumn in trouser form.
Oliver Bonas
Chocolate Brown Corduroy Barrel Leg Trousers, £70
Chocolate brown shows no sign of relinquishing its hold on our wardrobes, making these a particularly easy way to get on board with cord. The barrel leg keeps things contemporary; the deep brown will go with pretty much everything you already own.
The Jackets
Arket Corduroy Jacket, £79.50
Black cord plus a relaxed, pared-back shape equals autumn jacket perfection. A good throw-on layer with denim now and knitwear later.
Polo Ralph Lauren Cotton Corduroy Jacket, £395
If cord is going to have its moment, you can trust Ralph Lauren to do it properly. This chocolate brown jacket has just enough country-house about it, but the cropped, boxy shape brings it firmly up to date. It’s expensive, but it’s also one you'll pull out every autumn for years.
Arket Corduroy Overshirt, £37.50
For the weeks when it is not quite cold enough for a proper coat, an overshirt earns its keep. This pale neutral version is pleasingly understated and will layer over everything from a T-shirt to a roll-neck.
Toast Cotton Cord Jacket, £205
For those not entirely persuaded by autumn's sea of brown, there is, of course, navy. Toast's workwear-ish cotton cord jacket is unfussy, with a neat collar and patch pockets, and will do much the same job as your favourite denim jacket through the colder months.
And/Or Harley Quilted Cotton Blend Corduroy Jacket, £115
Two autumn favourites for the price of one: quilted jackets are still everywhere and this one comes in deep burgundy cord. The result is warm without being cumbersome and rather more interesting than another black puffer.
H&M Padded Corduroy Jacket, £59.99
H&M's take is generously oversized and padded, making it one for when the temperature properly drops. We like the simple shape and the welcome bit of cordy texture.
Oliver Bonas Chocolate Brown Corduroy Jacket, £75
A matching jacket for the Oliver Bonas trousers above, should you fancy going the whole hog. Otherwise, this boxy chocolate cord number is an easy standalone buy, with a simple shape that works particularly well over denim, dresses and all those autumn knits.
The Dresses
Ralph Lauren Corduroy A-Line Shirt Dress, £295
The neat collar and gently flared skirt lend it a polished air, while the fine cord stops it feeling overly prim. Making being pulled together look easy.
Boden Una Cord Midi Dress, £139
Dark navy, a defined waist and full midi skirt make this Boden number distinctly neat and chic – and lovely with a pair of knee-high boots.
Kate Barton The Pinafore, £149
Made in Britain by Kate Barton, we like the nostalgia inherent in the unfussy shape of this red and arresting pinafore – designed for layering over shirts, blouses and knits as autumn marches on.
Aspiga Enid Stretch Corduroy Dress, £100
Burgundy cord is an especially good combination, as Aspiga's Enid neatly demonstrates. The shirt-dress shape makes this an easy everyday proposition, while a little stretch in the fabric earns it extra points for comfort.
Brora
Organic Corduroy Quilted Yoke Dress, £195
Brora's toffee-coloured dress embraces cord's romantic side, with a quilted yoke, gathered skirt and wonderfully autumnal hue. Add boots and a cardigan and consider your October uniform sorted.
Kate Barton The Edith Dress, £189
The Edith has a relaxed, slightly smock-like silhouette that lets the cord do the work, and is just the thing for those days when you want to throw on one thing and go.
At A Glance
Best For A High-Street Bargain: M&S High Waisted Flared Corduroy Trousers, £32
Best For A Modern Shape: Uniqlo Corduroy Barrel Trousers, £39.90
Best For Colour: Free People We The Free Fable Washed Cord Twisted Jeans, £158
Best Investment: Polo Ralph Lauren Cotton Corduroy Jacket, £395
Best For Everyday: Toast Cotton Cord Jacket, £205
Best Cord Dress: Ralph Lauren Corduroy A-Line Shirt Dress, £295
Best For Layering: Kate Barton The Pinafore, £149
Best For Autumn Colour: Brora Organic Corduroy Quilted Yoke Dress, £195
FAQs: AW26 Corduroy
Is corduroy in fashion for autumn 2026?
Yes. Corduroy has returned for AW26 in decidedly more contemporary shapes, with slouchy trousers, barrel legs, boxy jackets and shirt dresses replacing some of the fabric's more traditionally preppy incarnations.
What corduroy trousers are in style for 2026?
Wide and barrel-leg shapes are particularly strong this autumn, although flares are making a return too. Look for higher waists and relaxed cuts in chocolate brown, burgundy, navy, khaki and tobacco.
How do you wear corduroy without looking old-fashioned?
Keep the rest of the outfit simple and the silhouette current. Cord trousers work well with a crisp shirt, fine knit, loafers or trainers, while a boxy cord jacket is an easy way to add texture to denim or a simple dress.
What colours look best in corduroy?
Cord lends itself particularly well to autumnal shades. Chocolate, tobacco, rust, olive and burgundy bring out its texture beautifully, while navy and black are good options if you want something a little less overtly retro.
Can you wear corduroy with corduroy?
Absolutely, although we'd avoid trying to match shades too precisely. A cord jacket and trousers can work as a relaxed suit, particularly in darker colours, while mixing different wale widths – the size of corduroy's distinctive ribs – stops the combination looking too uniform.
Is corduroy warm?
Yes. Most corduroy is made from cotton but its raised ridged surface gives it more weight and warmth than a standard cotton weave, which is one reason it comes into its own in autumn and winter.
What shoes should you wear with corduroy trousers?
Loafers, trainers and ankle boots all work with wider cord trousers, while knee-high boots are particularly good with cord dresses. The key is to let the shape of the trousers dictate the shoe rather than treating corduroy differently from denim or wool trousers.
