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These soft trousers are a stylish yet comfortable alternative to jeans this winter: 11 pairs to shop now
Forget rigid denim and say hello to comfortable trousers
If you're anything like us, denim is forever, and jeans will always have a solid place in your heart — and your wardrobe. But sometimes they do just feel a little bit... stiff. So please welcome to the stage: corduroy trousers. A wardrobe workhorse since the ‘70s, corduroy is making a major comeback, now reimagined in contemporary cuts and fresh, wearable colours.
And at this time of year, we know that comfort is key. So, why not swap out denim for something softer and much more forgiving? Corduroy trousers offer a plush, soft to the touch texture and a little extra stretch, making them the perfect alternative to your usual jeans.
This year, well dressed celebrities like Gwyneth Paltrow have embraced the corduroy revival, but the style’s A-list appeal isn’t new. A young Princess Diana famously wore hers during an ‘80s trip to Balmoral, pairing them with a Fair Isle jumper and a practical pair of Hunter wellies.
There are loads of brilliant high street options, with the likes of Next, Toast and H&M having you covered. Plus, the best thing about cord trousers? They work for both dressing up and down, whether you want to pair them with a white T-shirt and smart loafers for the office, or an oversized jumper for a more slouchy fit.
Available in five different colours and multiple different lengths, these Next trousers are guaranteed winners.
Currently down to £50 - yep, they're on sale for 50% off! - these corduroy trousers will see you right through to spring thanks to their on-trend burgundy colour.
Available in five different colours - including black and a more muted cream - these are the ideal trousers for dressing up or down.
Available in both ecru and black, these cropped cord trousers are a great transitional piece, and will look good with boots and ballet flats.
Take your athleisure up a notch with these cord versions of jogging bottoms - the perfect smart causal option, whether you're heading to the supermarket or for a brunch date.
Pros
You knew about mom jeans, but what about dad cords?
The Colette Collection by Maeve The Colette Crop Wide-Leg Trousers by Maeve: Corduroy Scallop Pocket Edition
These Anthropologie cords are in the trending colour of the season, and have a lovely scalloped detail on the pockets.
Available in three colours, how comfortable do these wide leg cords look? While the pleated detail makes them smart enough for wearing to the office.
Max Mara know how to do laidback chic right. These velvety corduroys have a wide-leg silhouette that beckons soft knitwear and offers comfort thanks to its elasticated waistband.
Available in three colours, these navy coords are likely to go with everything you already have in your wardrobe.
Anything that Marks and Spencer do is a big yes from us!
Emma Richardson is Good Housekeeping’s junior fashion editor, working across print and digital. Previously at Grazia, she now collaborates with GH’s style director to write daily style and fashion news content, as well as oversee the style pages in the print edition. You’ll usually find her hunting for the next best minimalist staple at COS and patiently waiting year-round for autumn to dust off her favourite trench coat.
Dusty Baxter-Wright is an award-winning journalist and the Entertainment and Lifestyle Director at Cosmopolitan, having previously worked at Sugarscape. She was named one of PPA’s 30 Under 30 for her work covering pop culture, careers, interiors and travel, and oversees the site’s Entertainment and Lifestyle strategy across print, digital and video. As a journalist for the best part of a decade, she has interviewed everyone from Louis Theroux and Channing Tatum to Margot Robbie and Ncuti Gatwa, while she has also spoken on Times Radio and BBC Radio. You can find her on Twitter and Instagram here.
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