Is Corduroy the Secret to Instant Timeless Style? A Deep Dive into Fashion's Best-Kept Secret!

Get ready to be FLOORED by the timeless magic of corduroy! This fabric has been weaving its way into our lives with an entire treasure trove of cultural references.

First up, it's the academic corduroy that made Robin Williams in "Dead Poets Society" an icon with those elbow patches! Then there’s the hippie-chic dream team of old Bob Dylan and Oscar Isaac in "Inside Llewyn Davis." And don’t forget the journalist vibes of Robert Redford playing Bob Woodward in "All the President's Men"—did he really rock that much corduroy? Let’s tie it up with the quirky weirdo style made famous by Wes Anderson and the cast of "The Royal Tenenbaums." Preppy? Camp? Cool? Steve McQueen approves!

Wait, there’s more! Gwyneth Paltrow recently rocked a pair of camel cords, giving them the Goop seal of approval! Not to be outdone, the stunning Katie Holmes is strutting her stuff in corduroy—Instagram style, of course.

Designer Wes Gordon of Carolina Herrera calls corduroy perennial—just like denim. Ponder that! He loves his pair, and maybe you should too.

But did you know corduroy's roots go back to ancient Egypt? They spun a humble fabric called "fustian" in Al-Fustat. Fast-forward a few centuries, and wales (those iconic ridges) hit the scene!

In 2005, the Corduroy Appreciation Club deemed Nov. 11 as Corduroy Day because 11/11 looks just like the fabric! While the "cord du roi" origin theory has been busted, the fabric remains royalty among threads.

This winter, corduroy is having its spotlight moment across runways, dominating the fall collection with stunning looks by Brunello Cucinelli, Ralph Lauren, and Tommy Hilfiger. Tagwalk reports 148 fabulous corduroy ensembles!

Wishing to ace the look? Try extremes—super loose or a sleek, narrow fit—and ditch the middle ground. Pair those cords with a sharp blazer instead of a chunky sweater unless you’re aiming for that ski-resort vibe.

Seek flares and sharp lines. Avoid polyester blends; they won't age like fine corduroy wine. The secret? The wider the wale, the more luxurious the look.

Got your own style conundrum? Slide your fashion queries to Vanessa anytime through email or find her on Twitter!