Found: The Perfect Corduroys

I’ve been looking for a pair of corduroys for years. Corduroys are inherently unflattering: a little bulky, saggy-seeming in all the wrong places. Sort of like sweatpants made to look like regular pants. Most stretch out within minutes of pulling them on. Is it too much to ask for a pair of cords that are cozy and decent-looking?

This weekend at Barneys, I came across J Brand’s version of corduroy, available in five different colors—black, gray, plum, navy, and brown—for the justifiable price of $158. The corduroy is fine wale, which makes it less similar to the Gap cords I owned back when I was 15 pounds heavier and a freshman at college in Maine, but no less comfortable than those old favorites.

The sales guy told me they’re universally flattering, and I might agree. I bought them in gray and plan to wear them every day until March. Just like back in college!

J Brand Corduroy Pant, $158, Barneys New York, Copley Place, 617-385-3300, barneys.com