From Robb Report · John Vorwald · · 1m 20s
The Soft Power of the Modern Corduroy Suit
Corduroy suits blend democratic style with rarefied sophistication, offering soft power through understated rebellion.
In brief
Corduroy suits blend democratic style with rarefied sophistication, offering soft power through understated rebellion. Corduroy suits combine practicality and subversion, allowing wearers to dress formally while maintaining plausible deniability. Originally reported by Robb Report.
My Corduroy Collection
I own four corduroy suits: mustard Alex Mill, gray Ralph Lauren, black J. Mueser, and mauve Todd Snyder.
“I own four corduroy suits—a fact, I realize, that suggests more pathos than taste.”
The Accidental Start
I bought wide-wale trousers, then the matching jacket, which felt complete without being formal.
“It began almost by accident—with a pair of wide-wale trousers.”
Corduroy's History
Corduroy was once schoolmaster material, suburban dad wear, and thrift store staple.
“Corduroy has a decidedly workaday history.”
Cultural References
Robin Williams wore corduroy as a poetry teacher in Dead Poets Society; Donald Sutherland as a burnout professor in Animal House.
“Robin Williams wore it as the unorthodox poetry teacher in Dead Poets Society”
Modern Corduroy
Corduroy has become more supple, richer, and sophisticated in recent years, moving upscale.
“Corduroy’s dusty reputation still lingers, but the material itself has become more supple, richer, and far more sophisticated in recent years.”
Pitti Uomo Showcases
Massimo Alba, Brett Johnson, Cesare Attolini, and Brunello Cucinelli all featured corduroy suits at Pitti Uomo and Milan Fashion Week.
“Last January, at Pitti Uomo in Florence and Men’s fashion week in Milan, it was everywhere”
Daniel Craig's Suit
Daniel Craig wore a Massimo Alba corduroy suit during the 007 film's opening chase scene.
“In No Time to Die, Daniel Craig’s 007 (pictured above) wears one of the designer’s corduroy suits during the film’s opening chase.”
The Suit's Appeal
Corduroy suits offer democratic style with rarefied sophistication, blending formality and rebellion.
“The modern version is far more sumptuous than the hard-wearing trousers of our youth”
The Soft Power
Corduroy suits allow wearers to dress formally while maintaining plausible deniability.
“That tension is the draw: the collision of the democratic with the raref”
The one thing
Corduroy suits combine practicality and subversion, allowing wearers to dress formally while maintaining plausible deniability.
