As the city credited with being first to craft cord, who better to show its evolution than our Moss Manchester team.
THE CORD SUIT, AS STYLED BY TEAM MOSS
Our team are a pretty stylish bunch, and we love seeing all the different ways they style their Moss gear.
Our second installment of Moss Wears takes us to the home of corduroy, Manchester. Developed in the northern city around the 19th century, cord was initially the uniform of farm and factory workers, considered by many as the ‘poor man’s velvet’. It was not until the 60s and 70s that it became a fashion forward fabric, gaining the approval of celebrities such as John Lennon to Mick Jagger. Now, cord has found its way back into the winter wardrobes of many, cementing itself as a popular choice for trousers, overshirts and suiting alike.
Our new cord suit range sees a vibrant but wearable collection of colours that you can style a multitude of ways. See how our Manchester team chose to wear the new pieces below.
Sam
How have you styled your cord suit today?
I chose to style it with an Italian silk tie, a button-down collar shirt, braces and a soft suede loafer as a nod to Italian tailoring. I also added a white and navy lined pocket square to complement the tie, the combination of materials offering a nice array of textures.
What do you like about the suit?
The jacket’s soft shoulder is a comfortable and easy wear, with lots of options for layering. Also, I love the bold shade of lime green – it’s very impactful!
In your opinion, what makes Manchester a unique fashion hub? How do you think our new cord suits represent the spirit of the city?
Manchester is the heart of diversity, style and colour, from the vivid street art to the architecture. The new cord colours reflect the city and its vibrant personality to a T!
What’s been some of the best feedback or compliments the suit has received?
On the day of the shoot, we were all turning heads! We had many comments from passers by saying that they loved the colours, particularly the lime green and the duck egg.
How often does suiting feature in your every day wardrobe?
Suiting is a big part of my day-to-day. I always look for versatility and what can be incorporated in to a capsule wardrobe. Incorporating statement colours like the lime green has given a breath of fresh air to my wardrobe both as a suit or as separate pieces.
Hasan
How have you styled your cord suit today?
I’ve opted for a bold, yet effortlessly cool look with my yellow suit. To contrast the vibrant hue, I’ve layered it over a rich brown merino crewneck jumper, which adds warmth and texture and makes the outfit perfect for a crisp day.
What do you like about the suit?
I love its versatility and character. The colour is bold but surprisingly easy to style, offering a refreshing break from neutral tones without being overwhelming. Also, the corduroy has a rich texture and weight that feels premium but not too heavy, making it suitable for multiple seasons. This suit can easily transition from a casual daytime event to an evening out, making it a valuable addition to my wardrobe.
In your opinion, what makes Manchester a unique fashion hub? How do you think our new cord suits represent the spirit of the city?
Manchester has always been a city with a rich cultural heritage and a distinct identity, which is reflected in its fashion scene. There’s a sense of authenticity here—fashion in Manchester isn’t just about trends; it’s about expressing individuality and resilience. Cord, which was originally invented in Manchester, is a fabric that embodies this spirit. It’s durable, versatile, and has a certain working-class charm that resonates with the city’s roots.
Wearing one of these cord suits feels like a connection to Manchester’s past and present—a perfect blend of tradition and forward-thinking style. It’s a reflection of the city’s ability to honour its history while constantly evolving, much like its vibrant fashion scene.
What’s been some of the best feedback or compliments the suit has received?
The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Customers frequently mention how comfortable the material feels, and the range of colours has really resonated with people too – beyond the eye-catching yellow, our cerise, blue steel, ink, and olive cord suits have been particularly popular. Customers love how these shades are both bold and versatile.
Connor
How have you styled your cord suit today?
I went with the ink as I’m a big fan of a contrasting look, which was achieved by combining the dark navy tones with our selection of white casual wear. I chose the pique long sleeve shirt to create an overall softer, more relaxed look. To top it off I went with a white leather shoe, which broke up the outfit more and created another bright focus point.
What do you like about the suit?
I love the versatility and how easily it can be styled. The dark navy can easily pair the suit with a variety of colours and tones. As separates, the double breasted jacket has been used in a variety of my everyday outfits by combining it with chinos and a t-shirt. The trousers pair nicely with merino wool jumpers for evening events such as dinners with my partner or going out with friends.
As for the quality of the fabric, the suit is lightweight enough to feel comfortable while wearing, but thick enough to keep me warm in the upcoming winter period. I look forward to getting a lot of use out of it!
In your opinion, what makes Manchester a unique fashion hub? How do you think our new cord suits represent the spirit of the city?
Part of what makes a Manchester a unique fashion hub is the rich history and melting pot of culture that the community provides. With areas like the northern quarter where art is expressed on the very walls of the buildings, the new range of cord suits match the vibe completely! With a range of colours and versatility for how it can be worn, it truly reflects the adaptable and lively personality of the city.
What’s been some of the best feedback or compliments the suit has received?
Customers have been intrigued by how they can wear the new corduroy suits and, with a bit of guidance from our team, they’ve really enjoyed them! One customer in particular was trying the lime green suit with a brown merino jumper to host a forestry and nature well-being talk. He said it was exactly what he was looking for as it reflected his personality and made him ‘the star of the show’ at his event.
How often does suiting feature in your every day wardrobe?
The trends we’ve seen in tailoring are always changing, with the most popular at the moment being smart casual. With office attire moving in a more relaxed direction, the expected dress codes has eased up a bit. Suit jackets and trousers are now being paired with t-shirts, merino wool zip necks and Oxford shirts. To reflect this, the outfits and styles that influence the way I dress have changed to incorporate this.
Jamie
How have you styled your cord suit today?
I chose to go for a casual approach with my cord suit, styling it with a nice white tee and trainers to give a more understated look that is still smart but relaxed at the same time.
What do you like about the suit?
I love the versatility of the suit, that it could be worn for a wedding but also to a nice meal with friends or a night out on the town. You have lots of options. And the duck egg is a whole vibe, not only in that it’s a unique colour for a suit but it’s not overly loud so you can accessorise and play around with it without being over the top. When it comes to my own personal style I like to be creative and try new trends, so this suit is perfect for me.
In your opinion, what makes Manchester a unique fashion hub? How do you think our new cord suits represent the spirit of the city?
Manchester is a city filled with artists and expressive people, unafraid to share their opinions and be a little rough around the edges with how they talk and how they dress. We like to push the boundaries, particularly in style. There is also a diverse mix of cultures being embraced in the city, so our new cord suits definitely fit this demographic. Not to mention the city is the home of corduroy.
What’s been some of the best feedback or compliments the suit has received?
The sage cord has had a lot of attention, especially for its versatile styling options. Customers are keen on the range of colours and fits we do in the cord, making them more accessible.
How often does suiting feature in your every day wardrobe?
Most men struggle to incorporate suiting into their everyday looks but that’s why I love this job, as it gives me an opportunity to help the customer see just how stylish a suit can be outside of just the office or an event. I’ve found myself wearing suits a lot more since working at Moss – it can be hard in a modern society where suiting isn’t the everyday norm to step out the box, but once introduced to this side of fashion, you can’t really go back.
Anything else you’d like to add?
I’d like to thank Moss, Sam and the team for the opportunity to model for them for the day, and have the chance to give my best “blue steel”.
