With its unique texture and vintage-inspired appearance, corduroy is a great option for corporate clients. It is relatively inexpensive and is versatile enough to be coordinated with different styles of shirts, sweaters and shoes. While typically used for pants, skirts, jackets and caps, the fabric also makes a sharp suiting fabric for men, according to GQ. Top fashion names like Faconnable and Band of Outsiders are featuring the fabric.

One of corduroy’s best assets is that it’s comfortable and stylish without being showy. “We are headed into an era of people searching for the ‘everyday man’ look – non-branded or logoed apparel, headwear and outerwear that offers function with anonymity,” says Nancy Robitaille, principal designer/import manager at Fersten Worldwide (asi/53974). “It’s a throwback to a time when life was less stressful and the look was more casual.”

Corduroy also works wonderfully on trimmings and as an accent. “We have a very successful jacket line that combines a microfleece chest with soft, supple corduroy on the shoulders and arms and also bonded to the inside layer,” says Steve Pinzon, spokesman for AKWA (asi/33280). “The interior layer of corduroy is very soft against the skin, traps heat very effectively and provides a wonderful, cozy feel.”

There are multiple varieties of corduroy, particularly with different-sized wales, or ridges in common parlance. Depending on the wale count, the wales can look thicker or thinner. Corduroy varies from 100% cotton to blends, like the polyester-nylon mixes used in Fersten Worldwide’s 2015 collection, according to Robitaille. She adds that the technical fabric blends have moisture-wicking and breathable capabilities.

AKWA’s line of corduroy includes a full-zip crewneck, a quarter-zip crewneck and full-zip hoodies. In addition, there will be a full-zip vest for 2015. Fersten Worldwide has corduroy in outerwear (FW3161 and Women’s FW3165). “They are mid-weight with an inner soft-shell fabric vest detail, critically seam sealed, moisture wicking and breathable, with an anti-RFID security pocket on the inside to keep valuable information safe,” Robitaille says.

When it comes to decorating corduroy, there are many options that distributors can choose from. “Corduroy is a versatile fabric and is easy to decorate,” says Robitaille. “It can be embroidered, debossed, embossed and even lasered.”

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