I’m not exactly sure why I put off mastering how to style corduroy pants for so long. It’s not that I don’t like the look of a soft, textured trousers; I just never thought it was my sartorial vibe, per se. But as I marvel over all the corduroy-heavy street style moments I’ve been seeing of late, one thing has become clear: I’m doing myself a fashion disservice by not wearing corduroy pants.
The recent influx of corduroy pant styles on the market is likely fueled by an increased appetite for nostalgia. The past few seasons we’ve seen a major ’70s style revival that shows no signs of slowing down in fall 2026. Of course, wide-leg styles were popular in the ‘70s, when rockers, Hollywood stars, and feminist icons like Gloria Steinem all embraced the look in full corduroy suits.
But in the decades following, nearly every style icon has put their stamp on corduroy looks. Princess Diana famously wore a camel-colored pair with a printed knit sweater and Hunter rain boots for a photo shoot before her 1981 wedding to Prince Charles. Her outfit fits in perfectly with the Horse Girl trend currently taking over fashion. There’s also Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, the reigning queen of minimalism and arguably the biggest style icon of the year thanks to the fascination around Love Story. She often contrasted her brown corduroy pants with an understated black turtleneck and leather outerwear.
Gloria Steinem, in the 1970s
WWD/Getty Images
Princess Diana, in cords with a sweater and rain boots
Tim Graham/Getty Images
