Brunello Cucinelli Corduroy Jacket Part2

2026.01.13

Fashion

Last time, I wrote about Brunero Cuccinelli’s corduroy jacket, but as the texture of the corduroy didn’t come across well in the photographs, I’ve added more images. This time, I’ll introduce some styling combinations that I couldn’t cover in the previous article.

As touched upon in the previous article and the one on the shearling rider’s jacket, Brunello Cuccinelli’s garments possess not only the superior quality derived from excellent tailoring and fine materials, but also a measured sense of moderation (a restrained, understated quality) and inherent elegance in their construction.

(This philosophy is precisely what makes Brunello Cucinelli so remarkable.) Consequently, while the styling remains elegant and refined, there is a tolerance for pairing these garments with other brands or vintage pieces – clothing whose design philosophy differs entirely from Brunello Cucinelli’s approach. Not only does it permit such combinations, but the inherent quality and dignity of Brunello Cucinelli’s creations beautifully express the wearer’s identity.

2025.12.09

Brunello Cucinelli Corduroy Jacket

Brunello Cucinelli's double-breasted blazer with metal buttons. The colour is black rather than navy, crafted from exce...

I don’t possess any particular flair for style myself; I simply put together combinations using the clothes I own. It’s a very orthodox way of dressing, combining Brunello Cucinelli’s basic combinations with vintage pieces, but I hope it proves useful.

Combinations

This time, touching on the theme of Brunello Cucinelli’s tolerance for combinations of garments created under different concepts, I paired vintage Levi’s 501XX jeans from the 1950s (the last leather patch) with a corduroy shirt from the same era. As a contrasting combination, I paired them with Brunello Cucinelli bottoms and a Brunello Cucinelli knit.

The boots are Brunello Cucinelli mountain boots. While pairing the 501XX with white boots would create a more authentic look, allowing each item’s strengths to shine, I chose the mountain boots because their moderate volume and colour felt like they would complement the corduroy jacket.

1. Levi’s 501XX (1954), corduroy shirt (1950s)

Outer: Corduroy jacket
Inner: Corduroy shirt
Bottom: 501XX
Shoes: Mountain boots

2. Levi’s 501XX (1954 model), knit

Outer: Corduroy jacket
Inner: Sweatshirt-style cashmere knit
Bottom: 501XX
Shoes: Mountain boots

3. Brunello Cucinelli Corduroy Trousers, Knitwear

Outer: Corduroy Jacket
Inner: Sweatshirt-style Cashmere Knit
Bottom: Denim-style Corduroy Five-Pocket Trousers
Shoes: Mountain Boots

This time, upon retaking photographs, I appreciate the quality and softness of the corduroy used by Brunello Cucinelli, alongside the superb tailoring of the jacket.

However, I realised once more that the philosophy behind Brunello Cucinelli’s clothing design is what allows one to achieve a sophisticated aesthetic simply by casually selecting and combining items from one’s wardrobe, without any particular styling technique.

This philosophy encompasses several elements, one being that owning Brunello Cucinelli garments means they will still work when paired with other clothes years later. Combining pieces from different seasons enhances both, yet they also hold their own when paired with garments of entirely different design philosophies.

This naturally connects to the essential idea of wearing truly good things for a long time. The brand stubbornly continues making clothes that are not only robust and durable, but also remain timeless, unaffected by the passage of time that might make them feel out of step with the era and difficult to wear.

For instance, if I were to reach 80 years old, my figure remained largely unchanged, and I continued to love and wear this corduroy jacket, its universal design and construction would still make it work perfectly.

For instance, if after wearing it for about 20 years, the elbows show through and the fabric becomes slightly worn, one could apply a black suede patch and continue cherishing it. I imagine it would be rather splendid to be that distinguished older gentleman, and to have such a relationship with one’s clothes. Brunello Cucinelli’s garments make this entirely possible.

This may sound a bit stiff, but my respect for Brunello Cucinelli’s garments stems not only from the company’s admirable social values and initiatives, but fundamentally from their meticulous craftsmanship. They create truly excellent pieces, investing considerable time and effort to provide the wearer with the intrinsic value inherent in the garment itself.

In the previous article, the photographs did not turn out well, making it difficult to convey the excellent texture of the corduroy jacket and the styling. I hope this article will do a better job of communicating that.

Introduction.

Last time, I wrote an article about the Brunello Cucinelli corduroy jacket, but I felt the photos of it being worn didn’t turn out well, making it difficult to convey the jacket’s texture and excellent styling. So, I’ve retaken the photos and am writing a supplementary article. As it’s been a while since I last updated the blog, I haven’t managed to establish a good photography routine, and the photos aren’t turning out well.

Once a routine is established, you can mentally visualise the final image during shooting, which speeds up the process. It also serves as a reminder that I hadn’t been doing the absolute basics of photography – reviewing shots repeatedly and critically assessing their quality. After a break, my instincts for focal length and exposure fade; I’ve even forgotten the subtle exposure adjustments needed for sunrise or different shooting times.

These aspects – not just the article’s theme, but also matters concerning photography itself and how to structure articles – are part of the enjoyment of running a blog and creating posts. I reckon I’ll gradually get the hang of it.

As a side note, all my photos are taken using a mirrorless camera and tripod, with a smartphone tethering app for selfies. Taking photos of myself allows me to see how the clothing combinations and styling I’ve put together actually look. While it’s difficult to be truly objective about my own photos, one advantage is that it makes it easier to see whether my outfits look good or not.

Combine 1950s 501XX jeans with a 1950s corduroy shirt.

As mentioned in my previous article, I’m pairing it with a 1950s corduroy shirt featuring large collar loops and loop buttons – much like my cherished early 1950s Levi’s 501XX (final leather patch era).

While I’d ideally pair the 501XX and jacket with American-style White’s boots, this time I’ve opted for Brunello Cucinelli mountain boots.

When wearing the shirt as an inner layer, I pair it with a homburg or flat cap.

One reason I adore Levi’s 501s is their wide belt loops. While the current trend for narrow belts means thick belts are less common these days, I personally prefer a thicker belt with my 501s.

Brunero Cuccinelli’s corduroy jacket is paired with 1950s 501XX jeans and a similarly vintage corduroy shirt. Compared to the five-pocket corduroy trousers by Brunero Cuccinelli featured below, the bottoms are slightly fuller, yet the styling remains cohesive.

Brunero Cuccinelli’s double-faced jacket, known as the One-and-a-Half-Breast, is tailored so that the front does not gape excessively. Consequently, even when worn casually with the front buttons undone, the styling remains impeccable.

The jacket’s silhouette is so flattering that fastening the front buttons creates a more balanced overall look.

This jacket is soft and easy to wear, yet its construction is meticulously detailed. The line from shoulder to chest, the taper from underarm to waist, and the perfectly measured length create a clean silhouette that sits well even when worn with slim-fit bottoms like denim or tailored trousers.

2. Wear a cashmere knit as an inner layer.

This creates a simple style where you simply wear a cashmere knit underneath a corduroy jacket. Worn this way, rather than putting on the jacket, it can be worn in the same manner as other outerwear (peacoats, leather items, etc.), allowing you to wear it without fuss.

It perfectly suits the style I often mention in my articles – not overthinking what to wear, simply picking up whatever clothes you like that are to hand and putting them on. This approach means you end up wearing it more often. I feel that the true essence of Brunello Cucinelli lies precisely in this: even when worn in such a casual manner, it never loses its elegance or refinement.

Originally, I was fond of vintage clothing, so pairing denim with a tailored jacket wasn’t something I’d done much before. However, purchasing a Brunello Cucinelli jacket awakened me to the appeal of combining denim with a jacket.

(During the period when I shopped at Barneys: late 90s to mid-2000s) I bought several jackets recommended by staff, but compared to other outerwear, I wore them less frequently. Looking back, I realise that was a waste, but at the time, my values simply couldn’t accept the formality and refined atmosphere of tailored jackets. While they were more stylish than other outerwear, the more polished look they demanded didn’t suit my natural, relaxed style preferences back then.

Barneys around the year 2000 was exceptionally forward-thinking, introducing me to fashion values previously unseen in Japan. My current approach of mixing garments from various styles stems largely from what I learnt at Barneys during that era.

I’ve since passed on most of the items I bought back then to younger colleagues. Pieces like the Carpe Diem jacket featured in the article are prime examples of what Barneys taught me at the time.

Instead of a shirt, pair it with a crew-neck sweatshirt-style cashmere knit as an inner layer. This softens the jacket’s formal feel, lending a more casual vibe.

I’m wearing a V-neck T-shirt underneath the knit jumper. The combination of underwear, knit jumper and jacket keeps me sufficiently warm; with a scarf and gloves, I can stay cosy even in the depths of winter.

Opting for a knitwear base layer instead of a shirt softens the jacket’s formal feel, creating a distinctly relaxed look. Even when buttoned up, the jacket retains its casual, laid-back vibe. By varying the colour of the knit base layer, you can introduce different looks, enjoying a sophisticated yet supremely relaxed style.

Although it’s quite a relaxed style, not just with Brunello Cucinelli, double-breasted jackets look more polished when buttoned up.

3. Brunello Cucinelli Five-Pocket Corduroy Trousers

Pair the beige corduroy trousers in a five-pocket style (jeans silhouette) from Brunello Cucinelli as the base layer. With the jacket, inner layer, trousers, and shoes all being Brunello Cucinelli, and the material uniformly corduroy, the styling and colour palette become refined, clearly conveying the worldview Brunello Cucinelli proposes.

As you may perceive from the photograph, Brunello Cucinelli’s corduroy is crafted exceptionally softly. Rather than the texture of denim, it offers the feel of trousers made from high-count yarn (Super 150 or higher). This lends not only a clean, refined styling and elegance but also a wonderfully comfortable, soft wear. One senses that repeat customers who adore Brunello Cucinelli return not only for the superb styling but also for this very comfort.

This ensemble features no particularly distinctive elements in its colour coordination or styling, yet the refined, soft texture inherent to Brunello Cucinelli lends it an air of sophisticated relaxation. This combination is an easy-to-wear coordination even for those older than myself, possessing a timeless appeal that allows it to be cherished and worn well into later years.

Typically, one would pair these with pleated trousers of a slightly fuller cut. However, by opting for slim, supple corduroy trousers with a denim-like silhouette, the overall look achieves a clean, streamlined finish. This versatility in offering items tailored to the wearer’s preferences, physique, and required environment is, I feel, quintessentially Brunello Cucinelli.

The silhouette of these corduroy trousers is crafted with the slim-fit lines of jeans, yet the cohesive softness of the fabric lends a cleaner, more streamlined appearance than when paired with 501XX jeans. While mountain boots are not typically worn with this style, the very tolerance that allows them to be paired without clashing lies at the heart of Brunello Cucinelli’s approach to garment construction.

The previous corduroy trousers were off-white, whereas these five-pocket corduroy trousers are a warm beige, lending a softer, more relaxed feel. Paired with Brunello Cucinelli bottoms, the jacket’s exquisite tailoring is further accentuated.

Burunello Cucinelli Corduroy Trousers

The official name for the trousers paired with the bottoms this time is as follows.

Italian Fit Garment-Dyed Cotton Corduroy Five-Pocket Trousers

These five-pocket trousers feature a modern, distinctive look with a sporty edge, crafted from garment-dyed cotton in a fine-wale corduroy. The subtle stripe texture perfectly complements seasonal colours. The Italian Fit hugs the body closely while offering a slightly softer silhouette than a standard fit.

Colour: Ecru

Fastens with metallic buttons

Front watch pocket

Back patch pocket

Simple hem

Italian Fit: Regular construction around the hips and waist for a clean, harmonious fit.

100% Cotton

Quoted from the Burunello Cucinelli official website (Japanese)

Brunello Cucinelli’s trousers feature an Italian fit for their slimmest line. (Their denim range offers an even slimmer line called Slim Fit. I own a pair myself and have featured them in a previous article.)

The off-white corduroy trousers worn as part of a suit set, featured in my previous article, are the standard fit – the typical slimness for slightly more formal trousers designed to be paired with suits or jackets.

As my style is fundamentally denim-based, I often pair corduroy jackets with denim. However, when I wish to wear a white-toned colour on the bottom half, these corduroy five-pocket trousers prove invaluable.

Wearing example.

As wearing examples with explanations are included within the article this time, there are no additional wearing examples provided.

Combination

Corduroy jacket: Brunello Cucinelli
Denim: Levi’s 501XX 1954 edition
Sweatshirt-style cashmere knit: Brunello Cucinelli
Mountain boots: Brunello Cucinelli
Belt (501): Henry Quir
Casquette: Real McCOY’S
Knitted cap: LEUCHTFEUE
Sunglasses: Ray-ban WAYFARER 90’s (BAUSCH+LAMB)
Watch: Rolex Day Date (1803 1969)

Conclusion.

This time, I paired a Brunello Cucinelli corduroy jacket with vintage 501 jeans and Brunello Cucinelli bottoms. Comparing the photos taken, pairing the top and bottom with Brunello Cucinelli still creates a cleaner, more refined look.

Personally, I favour a style where I casually mix and match things I like, hence pairing it with Levi’s. However, this shoot made it abundantly clear that Brunello Cucinelli’s charm is best expressed through the style Brunello Cucinelli itself proposes.

There’s a part of me that resists overly polished fashion. I’d developed this fixed notion that wearing a full Brunello Cucinelli ensemble, while stylish, just wouldn’t suit me. Looking at these photos now, that’s completely unfounded. Brunello Cucinelli inherently possesses this refined yet effortless balance – never overdone.

This transcends my own preconceptions, revealing that Brunello Cucinelli possesses a deeper philosophy – clothing that exists within a broader lifestyle, rather than being merely garments. Brunello Cucinelli’s garments inherently possess an understated quality. Consequently, however you style them, they never feel overly fashionable. (Admittedly, some combinations might not suit, but I believe the likelihood of this is considerably lower compared to other brands).

The style Barneys proposed around the year 2000 – that sharp yet effortlessly polished mixture – formed the foundation of my approach to clothing. Yet, over twenty years on, the global apparel industry’s thinking and standards have evolved considerably beyond that era. Perhaps what I hadn’t perceived back then is the addition of universal, timeless elements within a single brand’s worldview. (I share a similar sentiment regarding Dior in another article)

This serves as a valuable prompt for me to consider whether my approach to clothing might be becoming outdated and antiquated. I sense that boldly discarding my preconceptions and fixed ideas could bring about change, and it is something I intend to practise gradually.