STYLING CORDUROY PANTS FOR WORK: TURNING WEEKEND WEAR INTO WORKWEAR

When people think about corduroy pants, they immediately envision crisp fall weekends, piles of turning leaves, and activities like pumpkin picking. Few imagine getting their quarterly reports in on time or haggling for a bigger budget for their team’s project. Corduroy pants just aren’t regarded as workwear. However, given the gap between what we wear on the weekends and what we wear to work has gotten much smaller, considering wearing corduroys to work isn’t such a foreign concept, particularly when styled right. I don’t care how casual the workplace has gotten, nobody should wear that cool flannel shirt they wore with a pair of corduroy pants to take a casual hayride and get hot apple cider with friends last Sunday, the likelihood that look will pass at work is unlikely. Obviously, some tweaks will need to be made when wearing corduroy pants to work.

Last year, I did dive into wearing corduroy to work in general and was more expansive about it by selecting all sorts of corduroy pieces, not just pants. I also needed out like you know I like to do and did a deep dive explanation on what exactly corduroy fabric is. So no need to get into that again. You can trundle over to that post if you are interested.

STYLING CORDUROY PANTS FOR WORK: TURNING WEEKEND WEAR INTO WORKWEAR

I have put together five looks using corduroy pants for work to give you some ideas on how you can create a balanced look that elevates the corduroy enough so it works for the workplace while also not elevating it too much that the corduroy looks strangely out of place with pieces that are too corporate or dressed up for such casual pants. Balance is key.

OUTFIT #1

This outfit is rugged yet professional and doesn’t force the corduroys to be something they aren’t while still managing to look professionally appropriate. I styled these brown bootcut corduroys from Rag & Bone with a plaid blazer from L’Agence, and a chambray shirt from J.Crew, and finished the outfit with cognac booties from Splendid, belt from Nordstrom, and hoops from Jenny Bird.

OUTFIT #2

I am pattern mixing in this next look, pairing this Breton from Boden and this patterned cardigan from Veronica Beard with these corduroy trousers in camel from Boden. Pulling out the burgundy in the cardigan to add some contrast, I finished the look with a burgundy belt from COS and burgundy slingbacks from Margaux. The slingbacks elevate the look without looking out of place. Lastly, I added these statement earrings from Sézane.

OUTFIT #3

For a more casual workplace or a dress-down Friday, I styled these wide-leg cropped corduroy pants in burgundy from Frame with a taupe sweater from Everlane over a button-up shirt, also from Everlane. I finished the look with taupe suede loafers from Ara and chunky link earrings in dark tortoise from Machete.

OUTFIT #4

For sneaker-friendly business-casual days when all you can muster is a top and a bottom, I styled this pair of wide-leg corduroy pants from J.Crew with a pointelle puff sleeve sweater from Frame. The puff sleeves and subtle detail provide more detail and finish than a basic for those, “I just can’t,” days. The outfit is finished simply with silver teardrop stud earrings from Nordstrom, and sneakers from Circus by Sam Edelman.

OUTFIT #5

In this last look, I styled these wide-cuffed cropped corduroys from Frame with a cute feline blouse from Rails that a client recently purchased. It’s great for casual or if you’re looking for something kicky and fun for work. I styled this look with a pair of heeled mules from Bernardo and a chic, simple station necklace from Anabel Aram.

SHOP FOR CORDUROY PANTS