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When temperatures take a nosedive, corduroy is usually one of the first fabrics smart dressers reach for. Once dull, dated and downright unsexy, now celebrated for its practical benefits, it’s also one of the first to be balled up and chucked to the back of the wardrobe when the mercury rises.
But not any more. As well as being a hardy and reliable staple of the colder months, this season the plush stuff – with ridged vertical lines known as a "wales" – is being used as a way of adding texture, contrast and even colour to spring looks.
“Layered over other pieces, a corduroy shirt in a natural tone like tobacco, burgundy, light stone or even pale yellow is a classic alternative to the usual denim jackets or wool cardigans,” says Sarah Ann Murray, a stylist who has dressed Samuel L Jackson, Jonah Hill and Kit Harrington.
“To follow more recent trends, go for a slighter bolder look with primary shades and patterns.
"Or, for a more western, Seventies-style, a slim wale gives the shirt a more traditional look and a softer feel.”
To provide a helping hand when it comes to selecting a style, we’ve lined up corduroy shirts that will see you into the new season and beyond.
You can trust our independent reviews. We may earn commission from some of the retailers, but we never allow this to influence selections, which are formed from real-world testing and expert advice. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.
Even a man with only a passing interest in style knows that if you want a blue-collar fabric, you go to the experts. Levi’s Jackson worker shirt is the (harvest) gold standard when it comes to corduroy, but one that should be flanked by more wallet-friendly options from the likes of Next and Weekday.