Corduroy - what and where to buy

[Flanderian]

Almost anytime I've bought from the UK, it's like we've time warped backed to the Clipper Ship days and anything under a few months seems fast.

As a generality, true. But it's certainly not universally true. Haven't purchased much from Peter Christian, but recall it arriving well within a week. And incredible as it may seem, I typically get something ordered from Herring within 48 hours!

But then, we can contrast that to a Shipton and Heneage order that took over a month.

This is what I’ve thought. Herring gets me shoes in a couple of days via DHL for £20. I’ve bought items from Chester Jeffries and Equus that, while they take a while, are a fraction of what Cordings wants for shipping.

In fairness, perhaps I should have instead observed that it seems they don't wish to sell to anyone outside the UK. If I recall correctly, their confiscatory shipping charge applies to any such orders.

 

[blue suede shoes]

I have spoken with the sales reps at Cordings over the phone several times and they seem to be quite enthusiastic about selling to Americans. I would highly recommend because their quality is high.

Maybe in a little while you will find some bargain cords at the Brooks Brothers going out of business sale.

 

[never behind]

I have spoken with the sales reps at Cordings over the phone several times and they seem to be quite enthusiastic about selling to Americans. I would highly recommend because their quality is high.

Maybe in a little while you will find some bargain cords at the Brooks Brothers going out of business sale.

So my casual browsing got around to BB and I found some all cotton cords up to 70% off in their Golden Fleece line. Not much info online so I called. They couldn’t even tell me the wale, much less the rise.

Guess I’ll order and see what I get.

 

[Fading Fast]

So my casual browsing got around to BB and I found some all cotton cords up to 70% off in their Golden Fleece line. Not much info online so I called. They couldn’t even tell me the wale, much less the rise.

Guess I’ll order and see what I get.

That sadly says a lot about the state of the company.

 

[never behind]

I got the cords today. Nice tan/beige color. Super soft and silky. But talk about a lightweight fabric. Doesn’t feel much more substantial than my 3 season Santorelli serge trousers from Nordstrom or maybe my tropical wools. There’s no way I can wear these in the winter. Maybe they could be a fall/spring trouser. I’m not sure if I’ll keep these or just return and use the money towards some heavy cords at O’Connell’s.

 

[Flanderian]

I got the cords today. Nice tan/beige color. Super soft and silky. But talk about a lightweight fabric. Doesn’t feel much more substantial than my 3 season Santorelli serge trousers from Nordstrom or maybe my tropical wools. There’s no way I can wear these in the winter. Maybe they could be a fall/spring trouser. I’m not sure if I’ll keep these or just return and use the money towards some heavy cords at O’Connell’s.
View attachment 46625

If you're planning on any extended longevity, I don't think you'll find it in these. Lightweight, ultra soft corduroy usually means ultra quick wear, unfortunately.

 

[never behind]

If you're planning on any extended longevity, I don't think you'll find it in these. Lightweight, ultra soft corduroy usually means ultra quick wear, unfortunately.

Thanks for the tip. That’s not what I’m looking for!

 

[Peak and Pine]

Thanks for the tip. That’s not what I’m looking for!

Do they look light, or just feel light? If just the feel, you can wear them in year-end weather with long john bottoms. Not finding those at a decent price, pajama bottoms (seriously) or the like will work. Tuck into socks. (I would never recommend crazyness unless I had participated in that crazyness myself.)

 

[never behind]

Do they look light, or just feel light? If just the feel, you can wear them in year-end weather with long john bottoms. Not finding those at a decent price, pajama bottoms (seriously) or the like will work. Tuck into socks. (I would never recommend crazyness unless I had participated in that crazyness myself.)

They are light. When I hold them up to the light, they are relatively transparent. Not as much as my tropical and hopsack trousers, but fairly close.

 

[eagle2250]

They are light. When I hold them up to the light, they are relatively transparent. Not as much as my tropical and hopsack trousers, but fairly close.

That is not a characteristic I would have wanted in any of my corduroys, back when we lived in Valparaiso, IN. I suspect they will be too chilly to wear even in the early Spring and late Fall.

 

[Oldsarge]

That is not a characteristic I would have wanted in any of my corduroys, back when we lived in Valparaiso, IN. I suspect they will be too chilly to wear even in the early Spring and late Fall.

Agreed. If it's hot, I go to super light but that's only about two months a year up here in The Rain. When I want corduroy, I'm looking for protection for my aging bones. Lightweight corduroy is an oxymoron.

 

[delicious_scent]

I prefer lightweight corduroy because I run pretty hot. For me, they're basically "chinos, but with way more texture."

The higher quality thicker ones with more sheen look too oddly formal for my uses.

It seems like cords vary a lot in quality/thickness, whereas moleskin has a lot less variation, and even the lighter ones are still fairly thick and dense.

 

[Eligius]

I got the cords today. Nice tan/beige color. Super soft and silky. But talk about a lightweight fabric. Doesn’t feel much more substantial than my 3 season Santorelli serge trousers from Nordstrom or maybe my tropical wools. There’s no way I can wear these in the winter. Maybe they could be a fall/spring trouser. I’m not sure if I’ll keep these or just return and use the money towards some heavy cords at O’Connell’s.
View attachment 46625

I ended up getting these in the Brooks fire sale and had seen this while I was waiting for them. I wore them for the first time today with our fall weather starting up. They are incredibly soft and completely adequate weight for typical fall weather, at least here. I won’t be wearing them mid-winter, and they will probably wear out as was commented on; the second picture shows the rumples from sitting an extended period of time. But I can’t get over how great they feel. I’ve never had something like this in sea island cotton. If only Brooks will still make quality MiUSA items and sell them at 70% off in perpetuity.

 

[fishertw]

I have purchased both cords and mole skins from Joseph Turner. I have burgundy, navy and khaki cords and loden and navy mole skins. All are pleated but there is only one small pleat, which are great because I do not like gigantic pleats. Both are heavy weight and I have turned them inside out and washed both. They are my “ go to” pants for fall and winter wear. I also have a couple of pair of Orvis Brisbane Moss fabric cords which are nice as well. It’s that time of year!

 

[TKI67]

I had a pair of Bean cords of the sort you described and found them close to the details and quality of Orvis. Not quite, but darned close for much less.

 

[fishertw]

I believe that. Murray’s uses USPS and Canada Post. I am not sure why. Maybe Nantucket is a courier free zone.

I recently returned an item to Murray’s as an exchange. The original item was sent to me via USPS and it took 16 days to arrive during the recent postal slowdown. I asked Murray’s to send the replacement by UPS and they happily did so.

 

[Fading Fast]

Just saw this in an email from the young brand Alex Mill:

Nice to see a young brand promoting a corduroy suit even if the sizing is alphabetic (small, medium, etc.). Maybe it introduces young men to the idea and, then later, they hunt out better-tailored ones.

https://www.alexmill.com/collections/mens-corduroy?utm_campaign=10042020_HisHersCorduroy (T5Duiw)&utm_medium=email&utm_source=KL - 120 Day Engaged&bxid=XyVivN&_ke=eyJrbF9lbWFpbCI6ICJta2FobjIyQGdtYWlsLmNvbSIsICJrbF9jb21wYW55X2lkIjogIlFkTWdTViJ9