Corduroy Fabric

Yes, corduroy is an exceptional fabric for autumn and winter! The raised woven ridges (wales) and dense base weave create a textured surface that traps body heat, making it a brilliant natural insulator.

Heavyweight jumbo cords are especially popular for creating warm winter trousers, jackets, and thick dungarees.

Needlecord is simply a lighter, finer type of corduroy. The difference lies in the “wale” count, which is the number of raised ridges per inch.

Standard corduroy usually has around 10 to 12 wales per inch. Needlecord (sometimes called pin cord) has very fine, narrow ridges—usually between 16 and 21 per inch—giving it a much softer drape that is ideal for lightweight shirts and dresses.

Traditional 100% cotton corduroy is a woven fabric and does not have any natural stretch, giving it excellent stability for structured garments like jackets and tailored trousers.

However, we also stock “Stretch Corduroy,” which has a small percentage of elastane or spandex woven into it. This provides a comfortable amount of give across the width, making it perfect for fitted trousers and skirts.

To protect the raised pile, always turn corduroy garments inside out before washing on a gentle, cool machine cycle. Never iron corduroy completely flat from the right side, as the heat and pressure will permanently crush the textured ridges. Instead, press it inside out over a thick fluffy towel on a low heat setting, or simply use garment steam to lift and refresh the pile.