Brown corduroy pants could be the new jeans

What comes after jeans? A tough question if you’re the kind of person who seeks the ease of a uniform style of dress because jeans are the pants of the everyman.

They are practical to the extent that the fabric is durable: throw them in the machine, don’t wash them at all; it kind of doesn’t matter.

They’re convenient in that they can match with almost anything.

They’re approachable in that you can find a pair at any price point you’re after.

And they afford the promise of confidence if you and when you can find your fit.

But what do you pursue when you feel done with jeans?

I’ve been dancing around this question out loud for at least two years now and I think the closest I’ve come is here — with a pair of straight leg brown corduroy pants.

Nue Notes corduroy trousers, $195 (mine are a size 36)

Why? Because they’re the most reasonable replacement to jeans I’ve encountered — they’re durable, fit well, go with almost anything (including most winter coats, and actually, they work better than jeans with a broader range of shoes).

Why brown? It’s softer than black, which makes them more chill, a less harsh companion to color (think of the difference between a red shirt styled with black pants vs. styled with brown).

Some alternate options starting at left: Polo corduroys ($150), The Row’s Eglitta pants ($405), Frame corduroy straight leg pants ($354), Madewell pants ($108), Levi’s straight leg 501s — these are my no.1 rec! The wale on them is perfect, and they’re on sale ($75.60)

There’s also something to be said for fabric quality — the cords have texture, they’re dynamic, they change slightly between ridge and wale, morphing to fit the shape of your movements which is similar to what denim does for you. It gives them a quality of intimacy on your person and makes them surprisingly unfussy.

So how do you wear them? The same way you would any other pair of pants you trust to walk you through high and low, good and bad, fancy, chill, just a little bit wacky:

Bode jacket, Loulou Studio interior sweater, Beaufille belt, Nue Notes pants, Toteme boots (this is the current season’s adaptation), Kolonaki Madrid knit helmet, By Malene Birger red gloves (try these)

If a studded swing jacket’s not for you, a feather top makes a good case for what to wear to go out.

J. Crew x Anna October top, Khaite belt (this one, called ‘the Benny’ is like 40% cheaper but same characteristically), Nue Notes pants (also a fan of these from Frame for an even straighter fit for $354), same Toteme boots (again, this season’s version here)

Especially when you still want to feel comfortable. (On this note, the pants are also compatible in that contrasting way with a bit of whimsy or shine — anything metallic or a creamy pastel satin — if you have the appetite for more of it following the holidays).

Tory Burch Coat, Sportmax t-neck, Frame pants

I’d wear them to work with kitten heels:

Chava Studio button down, Gimaguas necklace, Prada kitten heels (these from Toteme are the supreme alt). For a longer pant cut, these from Ref feature a good wale (the size of the cord stripes) and the color is right.

Or sleek loafers:

LMND button down shirt, Khaite tee, Beaufille belt, Nue Notes pants, Emme Parsons loafers

I’m throwing this one in specifically because even though the look is similar in conceit to the one above it, wearing a white crew tee under your b-down (as opposed to nothing) does add something shape-shifting to the look.

• Also: even though brown corduroy looks great with a broad range of color, I think it does something nice, even unconventional, when paired with grey and white or black and white.

• Last thing: the shirt is cool left tucked out too.

  

  • And the reason it works for an occasion like work is because the loafers are sleek enough to make sure you don’t look too undone.

Onwards, you could try the pants more casually with a crew neck and an interesting flat/sock combo:

Khaite jacket (someone! Quick!), Ralph Lauren sweater (J. Crew’s are just as good), Khaite belt and I’m dropping in the Levi’s corduroys one more time because they’re good

Calzedonia socks, Manolo Blahnik ballet flats (which come in light blue suede; those would look great with red socks)

…To take it easy on the weekend when you still want to feel put together:

Amy Downs hat, By Malene Birger coat, Bode green t-shirt styled over a grey tissue turtleneck, Beaufille belt (on sale for $171), Converse sneakers (kind of like this blue better tho)

Or even when you don’t:

Guess what? I bought the crazy Row knot hat. Styled here with The Pants, Venstore’s navy cashmere hoodie (here is J. Crew’s for $178), ivory ribbed turtleneck from Raey and The Row’s vinyl sandals with charcoal grey wool socks

(Want to feel put together, I mean.)

I have, btw, been so into styling knit hoodies over ribbed tissue turtlenecks with trousers.

Toteme hoodie (also available/on sale in ivory here), and this one from Weekend Max Mara looks good. Alex Mill tissue turtleneck, and I am a big fan of the ones from Matches’ private label, Raey, too.

A real ‘never say never’ moment for someone who has been specifically anti-hoodie until recently. Dropped in a vintage Jean Cocteau fish pin with the above, too. My friend Claire found one for me for my birthday and it has changed the constitution of all my winter outfits. Gives good shine to dull knits, but isn’t slapstick or too on-the-nose bright.

Your top half doesn’t have to work so hard for you either — can go as simple as a plain sweater (like this, which is a quality buy. I have it in brown, size L and wear it often) or some tee/vest combo a la:

Bally t-shirt (leave it to Lands’ End to nail color for us), MNZ vest (and Brooks Brothers to nail sweater vest), Versace shoes; the coat is Prada (got it on The Real Real. Not the same, but a vibe) and the scarf is Khaite

By now, we’ve addressed three coat lengths: