While corduroy will forever make us think of Mila Kunis in That ’70s Show, this year’s best corduroy pants nod more subtly to the decade. Instead of swinging bell-bottoms, the key is to opt for a loose, baggy fit similar to the denim shapes du jour. As Vogue’s Laura Hawkins wrote in January 2024, this silhouette will stop your cords from looking like a ’70s Halloween costume: “Your muse of the season is more hippy music teacher on a hot date than bell bottom-clad rock star at Woodstock, more an older Jane Birkin in slouchy chocolate cords than her younger self in a three-piece white suit with skinny flares.”
The look has roots in ’90s minimalism, too. Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, for one, had a soft spot for her bootcut toffee cords, which she paired with a black turtleneck, lived-in chocolate leather loafers, and her trusty Hermès Birkin.
This season’s penchant for corduroy builds on the momentum of spring/summer 2025, tying in nicely with the country codes seen on this fall’s runways. The Row gave it a new lease on life in its most recent collection, showing a biscotti brown pair that artfully puddled at the ankles, styled with a double-layered pale yellow button-down. Proenza Schouler also played a significant role in the pant’s comeback with an oversized pair–almost sculptural in scale–in deep brown, cinched at the waist with a black belt. Fitted sweaters and tucked-in button-downs emphasize their voluminous silhouette. This has unsurprisingly translated into the high street’s current fall offering, as J.Crew, The Gap, and Banana Republic have all leaned into this trend.
When it comes to styling, you’ll will want to simply substitute your baggy boyfriend jeans for some baggy cords–they look best with your everyday basics, like the relaxed tees, trim crewnecks, and crisp shirting.
Photo: Courtesy of The Row; Gorunway.com
Photo: Courtesy of Proenza Schouler; Gorunway.com
Perfect for imbuing autumnal warmth in your wardrobe, below you’ll find Vogue’s edit of the best pairs, from khaki and navy styles at J.Crew and Levi’s to bold reds at Aligne, and a deep forest-green pair from Mother.
Best cord trousers:
Rabanne
embellished slim-leg pants
