What Is Corduroy?

Corduroy is a cotton-based, cut-pile fabric with regular vertical stripes (called "stripes"). Its name comes from its texture, which resembles the wick of a traditional oil lamp. Its production process is unique: the weft yarn is first woven into a high-density plain or twill base. Some of the weft yarn is then cut to create a pile, and finally brushed to create a three-dimensional stripe. Corduroy can be categorized by the thickness of the stripes:

1. Fine-stripe corduroy (more than 16 stripes per inch, approximately 0.5 cm wide) offers a refined style and is suitable for shirts and dresses;

2. Medium-stripe corduroy (8-15 stripes per inch, approximately 0.5-1 cm wide) is the most common type and is used for trousers and outerwear;

3. Thick-stripe corduroy (less than 8 stripes per inch, over 1 cm wide) offers a rugged look and is often used in home furnishings and workwear.