Corduroy: The nerdy fabric making a super-chic comeback

The stuffy material has been given a high-fashion makeover

Perhaps this isn’t fashion’s most unlikely comeback after all

A retro daytime material once reserved for schoolgirls, British geography teachers and The Brady Bunch, suddenly corduroy has become a hot trend in womenswear.

Bolstered by popular culture, the fusty fabric is beloved by some of the most unlikely style icons, from Britpop star Jarvis Cocker to arguably the most geography-teacher-esque politician, Jeremy Corbyn.

And, let’s not forget Netflix phenomenon Stranger Things, which saw almost all of its characters sport the vintage textile – think Nancy’s wide-leg trousers, Dustin’s cargo pants and Lucas’s burnt orange shearling trimmed jacket.

But despite its out-of-date nuances and distinct lack of romance, corduroy has quickly been rediscovered by a host of designer clothing brands to make a super-cool comeback on the autumn/winter runways.

At Prada, several models were sent down the catwalk wearing matching corduroy blazers and trousers in autumnal shades of butterscotch that slouched at the ankles, while others sported ridged baker boy hats, overcoats and hip flares.

The durable vintage material was also seen at Mulberry, where an unabashedly British collection saw maxi skirts in caramel and antique pink corduroy paired with chunky wool jumpers.

Kendall Jenner in cords at Marc Jacobs sealed the fabric’s welcome into the fashion fold

Elsewhere, Nina Ricci rendered hers in pastel shades of blush pink and an unexpected aqua blue number that took tonal dressing to a whole new level. But, perhaps the coolest take on the trend came from Marc Jacobs who decked out It girl Kendall Jenner in blood red flares and a matching shearling-trimmed jacket.

As if its appearance on the runway wasn’t enough to convince you, then the arrival of The Cords & Co, a new Stockholm based brand that focuses its collections solely on corduroy should do the trick.

So, how do you translate the fabric into your fashionable everyday life? Well, with high street labels such as Topshop, Mango and Zara rendering everything from skirts and trousers to handbags in the stuff, pretty easily.

A cord jacket will work well to replace your denim version for the cooler months, while a sleeveless pinafore dress will prove a lifesaver when it comes to extending the shelf-life of some of your favourite summer blouses.

Prada, Leather-Trimmed Cotton-Corduroy Blazer, £1,540, Net-a-Porter

Rigid Corduroy Minaudiere, £29.99, Zara

Alternatively, inject some Seventies vibes into your look and opt for a classic ridged skirt that can be paired with a chunky knit, tights and a pair of ankle boots.

APC Solene Cotton-Corduroy Mini Skirt, £145, Net-a-Porter

High-Waist Corduroy Trousers, £49.99, Mango

Corduroy Mini Skirt, £19.99, Zara

Moto Cord Pinafore Dress, £39, Topshop