How to Size and Layer a Corduroy Jacket

Getting corduroy jacket sizing right comes down to one question: what are you going to wear underneath it? A corduroy jacket over a T-shirt needs far less room than one over a thick knit, and a sherpa lining takes up space on the inside that a plain jacket doesn’t. This guide walks through how to pick your size using our real measurements, and how to layer a corduroy jacket from early autumn into winter.

First, a word on wale

Corduroy is a cotton fabric woven with raised ridges, called wales, running down its length. The number of wales per inch changes the look and feel. Wide-wale corduroy has fewer, chunkier ridges and a more casual, textured look. Fine-wale corduroy has narrow ridges and looks smoother and a little dressier.

Our Men’s Corduroy Zip Jacket uses a soft wide-wale corduroy. The Men’s Sherpa-Lined Corduroy Jacket uses a fine-wale cotton corduroy over a warm sherpa fleece lining. Neither is better. They are built for different temperatures.

Two jackets, two jobs

The zip jacket is a lighter layer for spring and autumn. It has a point collar, a full-length metal zip and ribbed cuffs and hem, with a relaxed, slightly boxy fit. Think of it as an overshirt-weight jacket rather than a coat.

The sherpa jacket is a cold-weather piece in a classic trucker cut, with a button front, a sherpa collar and chest and side pockets. The lining adds real warmth, which also means it adds bulk on the inside.

How to find your size

The most reliable method is to measure a jacket you already own and like the fit of. Lay it flat, buttoned or zipped, and measure straight across the chest from one armpit seam to the other. Double that number and you have the chest measurement to compare against the charts below. All our measurements are garment measurements in centimetres, not body measurements.

Corduroy Zip Jacket (cm)

Sherpa-Lined Corduroy Jacket (cm)

Allow room for what goes underneath

As a rough guide, a jacket worn over a T-shirt feels comfortable with around 10 to 15 cm more chest than your body measurement. Over a sweater, most people want 15 to 20 cm. If you are between two sizes on the chart, think about your usual layer:

• Mostly over tees and shirts: your usual size is normally right, especially in the zip jacket, which is already cut relaxed.
• Over chunky knits: consider sizing up, particularly in the sherpa jacket, because the lining uses up some of the inside room.
• Broad shoulders: check the shoulder column first. A jacket that fits the chest but pulls across the shoulders will never feel right.

Check the sleeve and length

Sleeves on a casual jacket should reach roughly to the base of your thumb with your arms relaxed. On the sherpa jacket, the buttoned cuffs let you take up a little extra length. For length, a trucker-style jacket usually sits around the top of the hip, so it doesn’t bunch when you sit down.

How to layer a corduroy jacket

Corduroy has enough texture that the rest of the outfit can stay simple. A few combinations that work through the colder months:

• Early autumn: the zip jacket over a heavyweight cotton T-shirt and dark trousers. A dense 230gsm tee holds its shape under a jacket instead of bunching up.
• Cooler days: the zip jacket over a turtleneck or the cable-knit quarter-zip sweater, with the half-turtleneck collar sitting inside the point collar.
• Proper cold: the sherpa jacket over a cotton crewneck sweater. Size up if your crewneck is oversized.

Keep colours close for an easy, tonal look, such as a black jacket over black or grey, or let a neutral knit contrast with a darker corduroy.

Caring for corduroy

Corduroy’s raised pile can flatten or wear shiny if it is treated roughly. Turn the jacket inside out, wash it cold on a gentle cycle and hang it to dry. On the sherpa jacket, air drying keeps the fleece soft. Avoid ironing the corded side directly. If it needs freshening up, steam it or iron the reverse on a low setting, then brush the pile lightly in the direction of the wales.

Still unsure between two sizes? Order the one you think is right. Returns are free for 10 days on unworn items, with a prepaid label and a full refund. See the returns policy. Our guide to finding your size online covers the rest of the collection.