The rise of brown and latte-inspired interiors. Quiet luxury. Preppy style. A continued yearning for all things 1970s: conversation pits, Love Story, tone-on-tone decor. For lovers of cord, these are all signs that this will be a season of utmost content.
Although it is particularly associated with the 70s, corduroy is rather older than that. Most people know it when they see it: it has a textured surface lined with soft ribs (also known as ‘wales’). These raised sections are made by weaving additional threads through and over the base cloth, which is strong and tightly woven.
The floating threads are then cut, leaving tufts, or ‘pile’, emerging from the base. Depending on how it’s made, the wales vary in thickness and how close they are to one another – fine, closely set styles are referred to as pinwale or needlecord and look similar to velvet.
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Cord was created to be warm, soft and, crucially, hard-wearing. Its origins are mysterious and contested, but it probably first emerged in the north of England in the late-18th century, during the Industrial Revolution. There are claims that it is French in origin, the name being a corruption of cords du roi or ‘king’s cord’, but this is unlikely, given that it’s referred to as Manchester cloth in parts of Europe.
No matter cord’s precise history, we know that it was almost immediately put to work as a clothing fabric by factory hands, farmers and even soldiers: the Women’s Land Army wore corduroy breeches during World War II.
These proletarian origins meant that cord exploded in popularity during the 1960s and 70s – initially adopted by the young and disaffected, then by the young and fashionable. Edward Heath, then president of the Board of Trade, called The Beatles the ‘saviours of the corduroy industry’.
Given its exceptional practicality and slouchy, counter-culture pedigree, it makes sense that cord is perfectly adapted for upholstery in high-traffic rooms. As a result, many high-street brands sell corduroy sofas and cushions, often in a restricted, almost apologetic palette. The problem is that cord’s 1970s vibe holds it back: for many, it is stuck in an era of avocado bathroom suites and beaded door curtains.
Frankly, corduroy deserves more. For a start, lots of 1970s interior trends have already been revived. (Macramé, anyone?) But it’s also eminently practical, soft and cosy, and, like velvet, has a way of shimmering in the light that adds texture and depth.
For those feeling cautious, Kirkby Design has a playfully quilted cushion in deep green, blossom pink and midnight blue that is really a velvet with corduroy styling. But the brand’s real deal would make a great choice for reupholstering vintage furniture.
Rubelli’s ‘Dandy’ comes in 18 beautiful colours, but if you’re looking to splurge, in addition to regular and needle corduroys, Rose Uniacke offers a sumptuous ‘Jumbo’ version in ‘Ginger’, ‘Garnet’, ‘Lapis’ and ‘Forest’. Corduroy lovers: our time has surely come.
