Round Two in my attempt to find the right pair of cords for me. Even though the first order of corduroy jeans from jcrew did not fit me well (have to admit to myself with the way my legs are built I can't comfortably slip into 'slim fit') I liked the "thinness" of the cords and the lightness of the material in general. So even though they did not have my first preferred colour (grey) I was willing to give it another try this time in a 'straight fit' cut. I was hoping this time round the fit, style and colour were right for me.

First Impressions
I felt I had a pretty good idea of what is was getting into (literally) as I had previously ordered and returned a pair of grey slim-fit cords that, even though were my usual size, I could not get into at all, not even with losing my extra holiday weight. By ordering straight fit at my usual size I figured I'd be right on and at first glance they looked the right size. What I wasn't so sure about was the colour. Described on the jcrew website as "vintage fatigue" it looked like it fell somewhere between a dusty grey/green/brown colour. My first glimpse of it under indoor light and this looked like a chocolate brown. Not some tentative forest, fawny brown but straight down-the-middle brown. Which ticked me off a little as why didn't they describe it as just brown on their website rather than the non-committal "vintage fatigue"? However in various lighting and shade I can see what they avoided calling it brown. Just take a look at the photo below compared to the one above. Up top it looks like a definite chocolate brown but below it appears to be more of a dusty brown. Once I got over my initial annoyance thinking I had bought a brown pair of cords what I realised I had was a pair of very versatile trousers.
Size and Fit
Here was the decider. After not fitting into a pair of slim-fit cut cords, straight-cut would have to be the cut for me (at least in cords) and if it did not fit it would be a serious disappointment (and give my ego a serious beating).
Thankfully the cords fitted quite comfortably (without any hint of sarcasm). For me; taught at the waist, a little roomy in the thigh and plenty of room in the calf. So the complete opposite of the slim-fit pair I had.
After a few wears of this pair I'm happy adding this to my ever expanding wardrobe. I like the different choice of texture it offers, adding something different to the denim and flat chinos I typically wear. I can't wear it everywhere I go (due to the tropical environment I live) but if I'm spending the whole day in an air-conditioned office, it makes sense. Similar to my Rag & Bone Herringbone Cotton Blazer brown cords can easily turn into something your grandpa would wear so you have to be careful what you match with. Please, no brown shoes or brown jackets. Avoid desert boots as the texture is too similar. Also, because corduroy is so textured you want to pair it with more flat, plain, block-coloured pieces. Recently I've matched it with my Jack Purcells, a black v-neck t-shirt, a plain cotton navy blazer.
NB. Recently I added a 'stone' coloured pair of corduroy jeans that I've matched with a navy long-sleeved henley and olive unstructured military-style jacket.
Wrap Up
Overall, JCrew's version of brown cords are a welcome return to my wardrobe. For certain occasions it may not be the the most appropriate or comfortable material to wear (outside in the tropical climate of Southeast Asia, for instance) but otherwise it adds some variety to the monotony of denim and cotton chino. It's been a long absence but a welcome return that might not ever leave.
Reviewed: J.Crew Vintage Cord in Straight Fit Cut
Colour: Vintage Fatigue
Size: 32/30
Match with:
- black/ dark v-neck t-shirt
- dark Henley
- flat cotton unstructured jackets
- low-top sneakers
- leather wingtips