A good pair of corduroy trousers should really be a staple in your wardrobe. Especially when they are as comfortable as the CHUCK chino from Knowledge Cotton Apparel. These trousers combine the neat look of a classic chino with the soft and warm feel of corduroy. They have a touch of retro flair, but because of the relaxed fit and colours, they are very easy to style in a modern way.
Two names for more or less the same lovely fabric. You can recognise corduroy by its vertical ridges, also known as ‘wales’. These ridges give the trousers more structure and depth than a regular smooth chino. Furthermore, the fabric feels soft and slightly velvet-like.
The CHUCK is made from a relatively light corduroy quality. It is not a heavy-duty pair of corduroy trousers that will have you feeling like you are stuck on a 1970s sofa, but rather a supple chino that you can wear across multiple seasons. Warm and cosy on chilly days, but not so thick that they should only be taken out of the closet during a snowstorm.
Regular fit with straight legs
The CHUCK has the same accessible basic fit as the RUDI chino: a regular fit with straight legs. It is not tight around your legs, but it is not excessively wide or baggy either. The fit remains relaxed and straight from top to bottom.
The addition of 2% elastane gives the fabric just enough stretch to move comfortably while sitting, cycling, or bending. They remain true chinos and not jogging trousers with an identity crisis.
The trousers are finished with belt loops, a button and zip fly, slanted front pockets, and discreetly integrated back pockets. This makes them easy to wear for a smart look, but they look just as relaxed with a jumper and trainers.
Length 32 and 34 in centimetres
The CHUCK is available in two lengths. The number refers to the inside leg length, measured from the crotch to the bottom of the trouser leg:
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Length 32: 32 inches, or approximately 81.3 cm inside leg length
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Length 34: 34 inches, or approximately 86.4 cm inside leg length
Length 34 is therefore about 5.1 cm longer than length 32. Are you unsure about the correct length? Lay a pair of trousers that fit well flat and measure along the inside of the leg from the crotch to the hem.
Official Knowledge Cotton Apparel size chart
The body measurements below are taken from the official Knowledge Cotton Apparel size chart and are shown in centimetres. Measure your waist around the spot where your trousers normally sit and measure your hips around the widest point.
| Waist size |
29 |
30 |
31 |
32 |
33 |
34 |
36 |
| Waist in cm |
80.5 |
83 |
85.5 |
88 |
90.5 |
93 |
98 |
| Hips in cm |
91.5 |
94 |
96.5 |
99 |
101.5 |
104 |
109 |
These are body measurements, not flat measurements of the trousers. Are you between sizes? Consider how you like to wear your chinos. The 2% elastane provides extra room for movement, but it doesn't turn the trousers into stretch leggings.
Three colours, three different looks
FOREST NIGHT is a deep dark green. A quiet colour that looks almost neutral from a distance, but is much more interesting than standard black or dark blue. Looks great with natural, beige, ochre, light blue, and burgundy.
VINTAGE INDIGO is a soft, greyish blue. More relaxed than a classic navy chino and incredibly easy to combine with white, grey, brown, dark green, and other shades of blue.
CHOCOLATE is a warm dark brown. At least as easy to style as black, but a lot friendlier. Pair it with off-white, camel, light blue, rust, green, or a checked shirt.
From office to weekend
With a shirt and smart shoes, the CHUCK can easily go to the office, a meeting, or dinner. With a knit sweater and boots, they get a warm autumn and winter look. And with a T-shirt, overshirt, and trainers, they are simply very comfortable everyday trousers.
Corduroy combines beautifully with other natural textures like wool, flannel, denim, and knit cotton. An all-corduroy outfit is also possible, by the way. You just have to wear it with confidence – and perhaps stay away from brown corduroy sofas.
GOTS-certified organic cotton
The CHUCK consists of 98% organic cotton and 2% elastane and is GOTS-certified. GOTS sets requirements for the organic origin and processing of textiles and also includes social criteria for the certified production chain.
The small percentage of elastane provides comfort and helps the trousers move with you. A material blend is more difficult to recycle at the end of its life than pure cotton. Sustainability is rarely a game of perfect checkmarks. Here, the choice was made for certified organic cotton, controlled production, and a bit of stretch, ensuring you hopefully wear the trousers often and for a long time.
How to keep corduroy looking good for as long as possible
Corduroy is strong, but the soft raised ridges require a little bit of love. Let the trousers air out after wearing and only wash them when truly necessary. This keeps the colour and velvet-like structure looking good for longer.
Do the trousers need to go in the washing machine? Then wash them inside out at a maximum of 30 degrees, with the button and zip closed on a gentle cycle. Use a small amount of detergent and no fabric softener or bleach. Always wash dark colours with similar shades.
Do not put the CHUCK in the tumble dryer. Heat can cause the cotton to shrink, damage the elastane, and flatten the ridges. Gently pull the trousers into shape after washing and let them air dry.
If the fabric looks a bit flatter after washing, you can carefully brush the dry trousers with a soft clothing brush. Work slowly and without scrubbing hard. You can also gently go over the ridges with a slightly damp cloth. Only iron the trousers inside out and at a low temperature, or use steam carefully. If you iron directly over the outside with a lot of pressure, you will press the beautiful structure flat.
Beware of wear and pressure points
More sustainably made unfortunately does not mean indestructible. With corduroy, the soft pile on the knees, the seat, and around the pockets takes a lot of punishment. Due to friction, these areas can become smoother or lighter over time. That is partly part of the character of the fabric, but you can slow it down.
Therefore, it is better not to put a heavy phone, a bunch of keys, or half a toolbox in your trouser pockets. Do not wear the trousers for days in a row and give the fibres time to recover in between. It is best to dab stains gently rather than rubbing them away hard. With a little care, the CHUCK will look good for significantly longer.
Frequently asked questions about the KCA CHUCK corduroy chino
How does the CHUCK fit?
The CHUCK has a regular fit with straight legs. It is not tight, but not particularly wide either. Compare your body measurements with the official size chart above or contact us for personal advice.
Do the trousers have a tapered fit?
No. According to Knowledge Cotton Apparel, the CHUCK has a regular, straight fit. The legs do not taper significantly.
Is there stretch in the trousers?
Yes. The fabric consists of 98% organic cotton and 2% elastane. This gives a little bit of stretch and extra freedom of movement.
Is corduroy the same as corded velvet?
Yes. Corduroy is recognisable by the vertical ridges in the fabric.
How long are length 32 and 34?
Length 32 has an inside leg length of approximately 81.3 cm. Length 34 has an inside leg length of approximately 86.4 cm.
Can the CHUCK go in the tumble dryer?
No, we advise against it. Air drying is better for the fit, the elastane, and the soft structure of the corduroy.
Is this the same fit as the RUDI chino?
Yes, both trousers have a regular fit with straight legs. The difference is mainly in the fabric: the RUDI is made of soft cotton flannel without stretch, while the CHUCK is made of corduroy and contains 2% elastane.
Personal advice and trying them on in Rotterdam
Are you unsure about the waist size, length, or colour? Call our team during opening hours on 010-7954177 or email klantenservice@natur-el.nl. We are happy to measure the trousers for you.
You can, of course, come and feel and try on the CHUCK at Natur-el at Zwaanshals 376 in Rotterdam. We are open from Tuesday to Saturday from 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM. Then you can decide right away if you want to lead a green, blue, or chocolate brown corduroy life. You can also have all three, of course.
