Corduroy suits. Who should wear one?

For me, corduroy is worn by relaxed people. It is not a stiff, smart fabric, but looks laid back. If I meet some one in corduroy, then my first assumption is that they are “country types”, although now a days that is probably as often wrong as it is right!

First question of course is “what is the occasion?”.

Lets look at some of the more frequent places you might find someone wearing a corduroy suit.

The Races.
This is a country event, and the often quiet colours that a cord suit comes in can be very appropriate. Chatsworth game fair would be another ideal venue. It is the sort of place country people go for a day out, meet friends and see some amazing cross country jumping (Horses of course). Corduroy will blend in there, and you will probably find plenty of people wearing Barbour Jackets as well. These often are trimmed with cord, in Navy or brown.

A casual Office.
In the UK, if I dare say it, this would be a Council Office. As there is so little threat of job loss, the dress code has clearly become more casual over the years. Smart cord fits nicely, and a corduroy suit can easily be split, the jacket being used with a different pair of trousers, and the trousers of course worn separately.

The Psychiatrists.
I am told that a corduroy suit is good for a psychiatrist to wear. Apparently it is non threatening, and so the client is made to feel more relaxed, and trusting.

In Court as the accused.
Well, why not. If you are trying to defuse any bad feeling the Judge might have, corduroy should work well. Not something I have tried myself!

Where would you not wear one?
Well, a number of occasions spring to mind.

A wedding. Unless you want to offend the bride
As a lawyer. That would give me no confidence!
A job interview.

For these occasions I would recommend something a bit “sharper”. Something that stays looking good all day, regardless of how you feel inside. For recommendations on that, well, I will have to write another article.

Mens Suits