Howtowear corduroy

It’s time to get on board with cord as the 70s favourite makes a comeback for autumn, writes Meadhbh McGrath

Backin2015, corduroy seemed to be having a bit of a moment again. The retro favourite cropped up on the catwalks while the likes of Kate Moss and Alexa Chung made a case for skinny cord jeans, dungarees and pinafore dresses. But it didn’t quite catch on. It still suffered from ‘stuffy college professor’ association

— it didn’t feel chic or sexy on normal humans, and so the nostalgic fabric was relegated to the 70s once more.

This season, it looks like cord is properly back. Prada and Paul & Joe’s cord suits, Mulberry’s rose cord trousers and Marc Jacobs’ shearling-lined cord jackets were among the most lusted-after items from the autumn-winter catwalks, and models like Kendall Jenner, Bella Hadid and Elsa Hosk have taken up the look off-duty too.

Corduroy looks to have had a modern makeover: it’s sleek (particularly the tailored suits), it’s fresh (especially in unexpected colours like dusky pink and cool blue), and it’s extremely versatile. Cord takes colour very well, whether you go for a dreamy pink (Zara and Mango offer trousers in just this shade to rival Mulberry’s buzzy pair), a deep bottle green or a sumptuous caramel, and can be adapted for casual or dressy looks.

Not convinced? Take things slow by slinging a cord cross-body bag over a favourite floral dress, or try a corduroy hair band.

Give your trusted jeans a rest and wear the new wide-leg jumbo cords with a statement T-shirt and trousers or an embroidered blouse and block heels — you’re guaranteed to be the envy of your brunch squad.

Follow Kate Hudson (left) and swap your usual camel coat for a robust corduroy version — it’s gorgeously rich and autumnal, and just a step outside your comfort zone.

Or take your cue from the

Marc Jacobs catwalks and try a plush cropped jacket shrugged over the shoulders for easy weekend cool.

Embrace the 70s silhouettes in roomy trousers, A-line midiskirts and stiff blazers (but forget the elbow patches), or dial down the retro by taking inspiration from this season’s other major trends

— slouchy suiting, Americana and heritage checks. Keep things contemporary by styling a cord midi with a check coat, fine-knit polo neck and chunky cleated sole boots, or shake up the stiffness of a cord suit by wearing it oversized with luxe accessories.

Erin O’Connor (right) manages to tick three boxes in one go with her thick blue cords, top handle bag and bright red wool coat, delivering a look that is fabulously modern, yet classic.