5 x celebrity inspired looks with a corduroy blazer
Have you noticed some of the clothes currently in the shops look suspiciously like the ones your dad (or maybe you) used to wear in the seventies? Yep, those heady days of fashion are having a resurgence, and that includes the fabric forever synonymous with geography teachers, corduroy.
But how to make cord look modern and style up a blazer 'sans' elbow patches? Who better to turn to than some of the most stylish celebrities who've been spotted wearing cord suits and blazers. From rock'n'roll (thank you Jeff), to relaxed (hello Aaron), to refined (nice one Jake), choose the one who's style most closely resonates with you and use it to inform your look.
Photo - Jeff Goldblum - Sally Montana for the New York Times
Who better to kick off with than Jeff Goldblum - his dress sense is second to none, even if it is a little on the showy side for some people. Not here though - you can easily steal his look by wearing all black with a tobacco coloured cord blazer on top. If you're not a fan of the polo neck (or have a short neck) then switch to a crew or knitted polo shirt.
Tobacco organic cotton corduroy blazer - Sir Plus - £250
Black extra fine merino wool turtle neck jumper - Uniqlo - £29.90
Photo - Daniel Craig as James Bond - Universal Pictures at Vogue
When I send out my questionnaire for clients to fill in before our first session, it's common for them to answer "James Bond" to the question "Is there a particular celebrity or public figure who's style you admire?"
No further excuses needed then to copy Daniel Craig's style from No Time To Die. If you haven't quite got the 007 lifestyle to go with a full on corduroy suit (bloodied face optional), then lose the trousers and tie, and wear the beige cord blazer and chambray button down with indigo jeans or navy chinos. And by the way, if you like the boots he's wearing - you can get them here.
Light tan cotton corduroy blazer - Acne Studios at MyTheresa - £510
Cotton 'Leonardo' button down chambray shirt - Finamore at Trunk Clothiers - £185
Photo - Jon Hamm - George Pimentel at GQ
Photo - Aaron Paul by Stephanie Keenan for Esquire
And here we have not one, but two cool celebs in navy cord suits. If the rumours are true about the suit being dead for the workplace, then my guess is that some people will start to wear them more for socialising and events. What better way then to distinguish a navy suit from the one you used to wear to work then getting a version in a cosy cord fabric? Go for classic styling like Jon Hamm has or give it a more casual vibe with a t-shirt or fine knit sweater underneath like Aaron Paul.
Navy cotton blend corduroy suit jacket - Paul Smith at Matches - £600
Navy cotton blend pleated corduroy suit trousers - Paul Smith at Matches - £335
Winchester D capped Oxford in brown museum calf leather - Cheaney - £380
Photo - Ryan Reynolds - Gotham, Getty Images at Glamour
Ryan Reynolds is another popular answer to my celebrity style question, so even though I may be cheating a bit here, as I don't actually think his suit is made of corduroy, I've still included his look. How could I not, when I found the perfect beige cord blazer and check shirt with which you can emulate his look? Just add some dark denims and chestnut boots and you're good to go. You're welcome :-)
Beige unstructured cotton corduroy blazer - Officine Générale at Mr Porter - £395
Blue 'Paul' cutaway collar checked cotton flannel shirt - Hartford at Mr Porter - £135
Photo - Jake Gyllenhaal on Pinterest
Wow - you've got to be seriously committed to wear a 3 piece in corduroy like Jake Gyllenhaal. If you're not feeling quite so committed but fancy getting in on the corduroy action then check out this 2 piece from Drakes. Don't feel you have to wear it as a suit all the time though. To get maximum mileage, split them up and wear the jacket with jeans and this cosy sweater, or team the sweater with the cord trousers and a camel overcoat. Just beware of wearing one part of the suit much more than the other though, as when you pair them up again you don't want one to look far more "lived in" than the other.
Dark chocolate brown mid wale cotton corduroy tailored jacket - Drake's - £795
Dark chocolate brown mid wale cotton corduroy single pleat trousers - Drake's - £295
Navy knitted tie - Drake's - £125
If you're at a loss as to where to start and how to dress now you have to go out in the big wide world again after forever and a day in lockdown, then drop me a line below to let me know what you need help with, and we can arrange a styling or shopping session:
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