Say what you want about corduroy, but one of its great advantages is that it makes you look clever. Think of everyone part of the great corduroy appreciation club – Jarvis Cocker, Jeremy Corbyn, Bob Dylan, Diane Keaton, Jane Birkin and, of course, Fantastic Mr Fox as conceived by Wes Anderson. There's an air of bookish intellectualism about the fabric.

Although it was originally the preserve of farmers on account of the fabric's hardiness, today it's associated with lefty, Guardian-reading somewhat earnest academics who are sometimes found teaching geography, and occasionally running the Labour party. It's the erudite version of velvet.

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This season, fashion's least racy fabric is back. At Marc Jacobs, Kendall Jenner wore burgundy wide-leg corduroy trousers styled with an oversized grey knit jumper and a matching jacket.

Nina Ricci approached the look in a more elegant fashion – tan cord coats styled over midi-length brown skirts and boots. Prada's take was decidedly more Jarvis, with trousers trailing the floor and an oversized brown jacket. At Mulberry, a maxi pink cord skirt with paired with a retro slouchy jumper and neck scarf.

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There's no arguing that corduroy is back as a trend, and there's not many who don't want a fast-track route to looking brainier. But how do you wear it now? Moderation is key here; you don't want to go too literal.

An A-line corduroy skirt with a T-shirt and ankle boots makes for a relaxed weekend look – or switch the T-shirt with a polo neck or breton knit as we edge into winter.

High-waisted wide-leg cords look modern with one of this season's statement shirts – but make sure you keep the buttons undone and wear with trainers so as not to overdo corduroy's stiff visage.

A cord jacket with a shearling collar is a classic and a good relaxed alternative to denim. Already this trend has made it to the high street - see Zara for red cord bags, Urban Outfitters for cord mini skirts and Levi's for those classic shearling jackets.

From: Harper's BAZAAR UK