The Velvet Trend Got So Huge It Sparked a Corduroy Comeback

Corduroy is essentially a ridged form of velvet. Both materials are derived from fustian fabric, a heavy cloth woven from cotton — well, we won’t bore you with the details. Suffice it to say, they’re close cousins — velvet’s the one that always gets invited to the fun cocktail parties; corduroy’s got a more buttoned-up reputation.

Still, nowadays, it’s hard to tell which is more popular. Corduroy was all over the Fall 2017 runways in a variety of shades, some autumnal (burgundy, chestnut, moss), some less tried (sky blue, canary yellow). In most cases, the fabric took on its traditional forms — suiting, skirts, outerwear — and earned a double take regardless.