What happened to the code?
I swear it used to be everywhere. Remember? I know I'm not crazy. I have distinct memories of my parents buying me wide-wale cord at Kohl's. Maybe it was JC Penney, maybe it was Target.
Worn-in corduroy feels like sweatpants, yet has a dignified strength.
Wherever it was, it wasn't a particularly luxurious place. Corduroy was standard and easy to find. It was something to wear when it got cold. I remember buying it for me every year before school. Boys wore them, older children wore them, dads wore them, grandpas wore them too. Everyone wore it.
But gradually something strange happened. Our culture began to shift from classically influenced clothing to sports influenced clothing.
sweatpants country
Remember deep within the fog of your own mind. Pull out your dusty memories. If you think about it, you might remember a time when men wore chinos instead of sweatpants. Or leather shoes instead of sneakers. At a time when more men were wearing ties to work, fewer men were wearing T-shirts. There was a time when everyone had a sports coat in their closet. When cords were common and unnoticeable.
If you've never thought about this before, you might be wondering for the first time, “Oh yeah, what happened to the code?” It's one of those things that happened so slowly that it's hard to pinpoint the exact year it disappeared. They just disappeared from the mainstream.
Cords are a real tragedy because they are perfect for winter pants.
seasonal staple
Although the popularity of the cord has decreased, you can still find it if you know where. It may not be easy to find 100% cotton cord without added stretch, but it can be done. Recommended J. Press, codingor J Crew. They're not cheap pants, but they're great. Unfortunately, cords are not as common as they once were, so you end up paying a premium for something that was standard just a few decades ago.
The cord is warm and cozy. The fabric has a luxurious feel. Worn-in corduroy feels like sweatpants, yet has a dignified strength. Like cords, classic clothing understands the seasons. Summer pieces feel vaguely like summer, and winter pieces definitely feel like winter. Classic clothes make you feel the season and time in your clothes. This adds natural changes to your life.
It's exciting to take summer shirts out of storage. When you put on your overcoat for the first time after the temperature drops, you'll skip an extra step. Classic seasonal clothing allows us to reflect the changing world around us. It's deeply organic. It feels whole. I don't wear cords in spring or summer, but I do in fall and winter. Use cords to make your outfit more fall-like or winter-like.
color shot
Simple neutral cords are a must, but navy and brown aren't the only colors for cords. Cord is appealing because it has a tradition of being bold and bright. Red code, yellow code, purple code, green code. These are all classic iterations. This is something very unique. You won't find adventure like this in any other classic pant. This is why the code is so special. Bright and colorful, yet traditional and classic.
The bright, colorful cords of winter resemble the brightly painted houses you see near the gloomy fjords of Norway. This is a colorful photo taken in the darkness of winter. Bright memories when the sun hasn't shined for weeks. They are tireless optimists, even when everything feels grim. This is a very unique example of how red pants can be worn as part of a traditional costume.
If you go with brown or navy cords, you have a variety of shirt options. If you choose OCBD, it will probably work just fine. When working with bright and colorful cords, you want to keep your shirt simple. Choose white or light blue so you don't look like a clown. Too many colorful items is never a good thing.
flexible formality
The code is formally very flexible. You can dress code up or dress code down. Cords work well with OCBDs, loafers, a navy blazer, and a knit tie. It goes great with bean boots, OCBDs, and Shetland wool sweaters.
The rich texture of corduroy is unparalleled. Whether it's fine wale or wide wale, there's no other pair of pants in your wardrobe that has this much attention to texture. The only classic fabric that comes close to this is seersucker. The corduroy grooves feel nice to the touch, and the unique texture adds a subtle touch to your outfit. When we think about what's interesting about an outfit, we often think about color. But texture plays a unique role. Code is a great reminder of that.
Winter can be depressing. The weather is often hot and humid. Our moods can be gloomy. You can feel the ordinary daily life. But cords give you something to look forward to in your closet. It's fun. It's comfortable. That's interesting. they are cozy. It can be bright and colorful. They are classic and traditional. The perfect winter pants.
