Corduroy is having one of those rare menswear comebacks that actually makes sense. Once the territory of geography professors and ageing beat poets, it’s now the quiet hero of winter dressing — richer than denim, softer than wool trousers, and infinitely easier to style than its retro reputation suggests. The trick? Modern cuts and contemporary colours that put texture front and centre without tipping into costume.
That’s where SPOKE’s new Cord Hackneys come in. Think Italian stretch needlecord, garment-dyed shades with real depth, and a refined, high-rise silhouette that feels more mid-century modernist than muddied-brown nostalgia. They’re tactile, flattering and built for real life — the kind of trousers you can wear with a chunky knit at the weekend or a crisp Oxford when you’re pretending to look busy on Zoom.
Most importantly, they put shape and fit first. SPOKE fine-tunes every pair across hundreds of size options and three Builds, so you get all the texture and character of corduroy with none of the bagginess that gave the fabric a bad name. Just clean lines, a gently tapered leg, and a winter staple that slots seamlessly into the gaps where denim and wool trousers fall short.
Here are three modern, foolproof ways to wear cord trousers this season — simple looks that show just how versatile and contemporary this fabric can be.
Casual Cord Upgrade
This is corduroy at its most effortless. A navy crew neck, a clean white tee peeking out underneath, and SPOKE’s Cord Hackneys in a warm, mid-brown tone — the sort of outfit that quietly nails weekend dressing without trying to be clever about it.
The trousers do the heavy lifting here. That high rise and gentle taper instantly smarten the silhouette, while the garment-dyed needlecord adds texture without shouting for attention. Paired with minimalist trainers, the whole look lands somewhere between ‘coffee run’ and ‘pub lunch’, with enough polish to feel considered but zero stiffness.
It’s a reminder that cords don’t need a blazer or brogues to work. Swap out your usual jeans for these and you get the same ease, but with a richer feel and a bit more grown-up credibility. This is the simplest way to bring corduroy into your rotation — modern, relaxed and quietly sharp.
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Smart-Casual Sweet Spot
This look shows how cords can step up into smarter territory while still feeling completely relaxed. A pale blue Oxford shirt instantly adds polish, while the dark navy trousers dial up the sophistication — a pairing that feels clean, modern and quietly confident.
The high rise and tapered leg keep things tailored, giving the cords enough structure to stand in for chinos at the office or for a dinner reservation. Rolling the hems stops the outfit from feeling too buttoned-up, and the chunky leather shoes ground everything with a bit of attitude.
It’s the perfect middle ground: smart enough when you need to look put-together, relaxed enough to feel like you still have a life outside your inbox.
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Modern Prep
This is prep, but not as you remember it. The crisp white button-down is classic, but the olive cords and deep burgundy knit thrown over the shoulders give the look a cooler, more contemporary edge. It’s collegiate, sure — just minus the student union energy.
The pleated, high-rise trousers add a tailored sharpness you don’t get from chinos, and the earthy tone makes them surprisingly easy to pair with rich knits and polished leather loafers. Rolled hems soften everything and stop the outfit tipping into overly formal territory.
It’s the kind of look that works everywhere: Saturday afternoons, relaxed dinners, even the office if yours isn’t allergic to personality. Traditional at first glance, modern in execution — and a perfect example of how cords can bring texture and depth to the smarter end of your wardrobe.
Shop now at SPOKE
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A paid partnership with SPOKE – words and opinions are Ape’s own.
