Corduroy isn’t just a fabric; it’s a mood. A little nostalgic, a little seductive, and textured enough to make even the simplest outfit feel like a scene from a film you’d want to live in. It’s the kind of thing that makes you seem like you have deep, interesting thoughts, when really, you’re just trying to survive that confusing time of year when it’s both too cold and too warm for everything in your closet.
Valisia’s
Corduroy is the ideal fabric for this time of year. It’s made from cotton, so it breathes, yet those vertical ridges trap warmth beautifully. A clever contradiction that makes it perfect for October’s first chills (even if my legs insist on staying bare).
My everyday uniform usually involves a short skirt and either an oversized jacket or a cropped one, because, I like balance and a bit of attitude. And I always go for matching materials, or at least fabrics that get along. So my vintage Calvin Klein corduroy overall mini dress feels perfectly in sync with the Bruce of Kinnaird jacket.
But obviously, I can’t stop there. I always need one piece that misbehaves a little - the drama, the flair, the reason someone might turn around for a second look. Enter the “Frightened” blouse: double Chelsea collar, bold shoulders, pure theatre.
An everyday outfit with a wink.
Corduroy has a peculiar duality: it’s humble yet intellectual. It began as a practical fabric, but it has always carried a quiet sophistication. I think of it as the uniform of creative nonchalance: artists, poets, and film directors in corduroy trousers, cigarette in hand, hair perfectly unbrushed. So this outfit is an homage to that idea: the beret hat, the silk scarf, the whole I-woke-up-inspired attitude.
The McCalister trousers have that slacker charm I love - effortless but intentional. Still, I can never quite escape my cinched, high-waisted obsession. So underneath, I wear a pair of high-waisted briefs and, naturally (for me), two belts. Because why stop at one when you can make the point twice?
This outfit, to me, is Sexy Gothic Matador. Three qualities I always strive to bring to my more special looks. The Inverness skirt is a dream: its incredible movement and multiple slits create a subtle, elegant sexiness that feels cinematic in every step. I paired it with my mother’s sheer white top, adding just the right whisper of daring sensuality. And, of course, the pièce de résistance: the Aumorfia cross choker, sharp and darkly glamorous, completing the mood.
It’s a look that walks the line between romance and rebellion, drama and sophistication. Exactly the kind of outfit I love to inhabit to when I want to feel unforgettable.
Stella’s
When I wear a suit (which is quite often), it’s almost always as a total look — I’m committed to fabric continuity, after all. What I love and find refreshing about this one, though, is that it feels more relaxed — thanks to its non-fussy corduroy fabric, cropped jacket, and mid-rise loose bottoms. It also features a removable strap ending in fringe, which adds a touch of character that can (and should) be worn in multiple ways — or not at all.
As the weather is still semi-warm and unpredictable, light layering is key for the season — enter an oversized T-shirt and a classic men’s shirt. To highlight my laid-back mood, I wore the suit with what (to me) counts as sneakers, instead of my usual polished loafers.
Over the years, I’ve collected several pieces that I find very hard to part with. For example, I’ve had this Adidas x Jeremy Scott cage track jacket for over 10 years, and I love combining pieces I used to wear constantly with my current wardrobe. The Bruce of Kinnaird jacket and McCalister trousers act as the perfect blank canvas for this more elaborate piece. Again, I’m sticking with the silver “sneakers” to keep the toned-down, casual theme intact.
Part of my Gone with the Wind tribute, clearly. But what Scarlett O’Hara did with her cropped jackets and dresses, I did with the Bruce of Kinnaird cropped jacket and a favourite vintage jumpsuit. Again, a piece I’ve had for more than 15 years — it reminds me of a less-sleek matador, and the cropped jacket accentuates that. I love wearing the removable strap of the jacket as a scarf here, and I paired it with classic Venetian slippers instead of traditional bullfighter ones, for a more contemporary take. I love theme dressing, as you may have caught by now, so just give me themes, and I’ll reinterpret them.
Alexandra’s
I called this look “all things crop” because the second I saw this Bruce of Kinnaird jacket, I knew it needed something cropped underneath. So I grabbed a boxy white shirt of the same length, mostly because it helps show off clearly the layers and, of course, that black-and-white combo always works. Then my brain went, “what if it’s a cropped suit?” and at that point, I was in too deep..
TThe super-short black Cavillace shorts hold it all together. Simple, not classic, a little unexpected. Legs are still out in October. I swear, if you keep your top half warm, you’re fine. It’s science. The boat shoes just made sense, since they are insanely comfortable, a bit offbeat, and perfect for showing off my white socks — which, according to my mum, is “not the way you wear them.” But that’s exactly the point.
There’s definitely some Maxime Ballesteros Trou Noir energy here, the tension of covered versus bare, tailored versus undone. Instead of a veil, the jacket’s removable strap drapes over my shoulders, fringed, slouched, scarf-y, effortlessly casual (and sure it is).
Some days I’m feeling a little classic and low-key, so I went with the matching 2WO+1NE=2 McCalister corduroy trousers. The whole look comes together instantly, and the texture and cut keep it from feeling basic.
To make it a little less predictable, I added little pops of my favourite colours on top of an all-black base. I layered two tank tops — dark blue over white (yes, apparently I like wearing three layers with the jacket too, and honestly, this combo works with other basics if you don’t want it to feel too plain), and added a pop of red with a pair of lace-up ballet flats.
Then I decided to play with my favourite purple and washed burgundy shades and mess around with lengths a bit — very different from my first outfit. I grabbed this oversized embroidered linen shirt with the Mao neckline I’ve loved forever, but instead of tucking it into the cropped denim trousers, I just let it hang. Kind of deliberate, kind of I-left-home-in-a-rush.
To add more dimension, I layered it all with the Bruce of Kinnaird cropped jacket — instant tiers. I balanced it with a purple cap to match the trousers and white socks to tie back to the shirt. Tobacco brown boat shoes finished it off perfectly, totally in the right palette and vibe.
Hope this gave you some ideas for your autumn looks.
xx
Valisia, Stella & Alexandra