Not all suits are made of the same fabric. Whether you're shopping for a two-piece or three-piece suit, you'll probably encounter a variety of fabrics. In addition to plain cotton, for instance, many suits are made of corduroy. Corduroy is a type of heavyweight fabric that features raised "cords." It's characterized by the presence of raised ribbing, which typically runs vertically down the suit.
When compared to other fabrics, corduroy offers an unparalleled level of durability. It's thicker and heavier than plain cotton. As a result, it doesn't suffer from premature wear and tear. You'll be able to get countless years of use out of a corduroy suit. With that said, you'll need to choose the right corduroy suit.
Go With 100% Corduroy
To take full advantage of this alternative fabric, you should choose a suit made of 100% corduroy. Corduroy itself is typically derived from cotton. But that doesn't mean it's the same as plain cotton. Plain cotton is thin and lightweight. More importantly, it has a smooth texture.
Corduroy, on the other hand, is thicker and heavier -- and it has a ribbed texture. You can find suits made of both plain cotton and corduroy. Only the latter type, however, offer the strength and durability with which corduroy has become synonymoys.
Consider the Color
You can't choose the perfect corduroy suit without considering the color. Corduroy suits are available in dozens of colors. Because corduroy is derived from cotton, it can be dyed. The type of dye used in its production will determine its color.
What color should you choose for a corduroy suit? There's really no single best color. Different people prefer different colors. With that said, universal colors work well for all types of suits, including corduroy suits. With a universal color, you'll be able to wear your corduroy suit in most if not all of your formal outfits. Universal colors include black and beige. You can still choose a corduroy suit in a different color. Just remember to make sure it matches all of the other garments and accessories that you intend to wear with it.
Check the Cord Thickness
Don't forget to check the cord thickness when choosing a corduroy suit. All corduroy suits have cords. After all, that's why they are known as "corduroy." Cords are simply ribbing that extends vertically down the jacket and trousers.
The thickness of the cords can vary. Some corduroy suits have thick cords, whereas others have thin cords. Thick cords mean that the individual ribs are far apart from each other. Thin cords, conversely, mean the individual ribs are close together. It's a subtle difference, but it's still something you should check when choosing a corduroy suit.
Single Vent vs Double Vent Style
Regarding corduroy suit jackets, you should check the back to determine whether it has a single vent or a double vent style. Most suit jackets have at least one vent. A vent is essentially a slit found on the back of a suit jacket. It's designed to allow suit jackets to flex when you sit.
Some corduroy suit jackets have a single vent. Other corduroy suit jackets have two vents. The double-vent style is typically more common than its single-vent counterpart. More suit jackets use this vent style than the single-vent style. Nonetheless, you should check the back of a corduroy suit jacket before buying it to see whether it has a single-vent or double-vent style.
Opt for Viscose Lining
For a higher level of comfort, you should consider choosing a corduroy suit with viscose lining. What is viscose lining exactly, and why you should choose it for a corduroy suit? Viscose lining is a silk-like fabric that's sewn into the interior of a suit. It's used to create a luxurious lining while offering a superior level of comfort in the process.
You won't be able to see the viscose lining while wearing a corduroy suit. Rather, the viscose lining will remain concealed. The purpose of viscose lining is to simply create a higher level of comfort. Your body won't be exposed to the corduroy. Instead, it will be exposed to the viscose lining. If you're going to buy a corduroy suit, you should opt for viscose lining to achieve a superior level of comfort.
Get the Right Size
One of the most important tips to follow when choosing a corduroy suit is to get the right. You can't expect a corduroy suit to offer a stylish appearance if it doesn't fit. Whether it's too big or too small, it won't look right when worn. At the same time, choosing a corduroy suit in the wrong size may lead to discomfort.
You can avoid these problems by choosing a custom-sized corduroy suit. Custom sizing is available for a variety of suits, including corduroy suits. Here at StudioSuits, we offer a large selection of custom-sized corduroy suits. When you place an order, you can specify your body measurements. Upon receiving your body measurements, we'll use them to create a custom-sized corduroy suit that fits perfectly.
Avoid Suit Separates
Don't make the mistake of buying suit separates. For a corduroy suit, you should buy the jacket and trousers together. Suit separates aren't necessarily bad. Nonetheless, you can rest assured knowing that the trousers and jacket will match if you buy them together.
Suit separates, of course, refers to buying the jacket and trousers separately. Many stores sell suit jackets and trousers separately. The problem with suit separates is that the two garments may or may not match. And if they don't match, you won't be able to wear them together -- at least not correctly.
Inspect the Buttons
Finally, you should inspect the buttons when buying a corduroy suit. Most corduroy suits, as well as other types of suits, are designed with buttons. You can find buttons on the trouser and on the jacket. The quality of these buttons, though, may vary.
Some corduroy suits are designed with cheap and low-quality buttons. Others are designed with premium and high-quality buttons. Premium buttons, of course, are defined by their solid craftsmanship. They look better and last longer than their low-quality counterparts.
