Clodagh McKenna just wore fabulous ME+EM corduroy trousers and they’ve got us eager to invest in comfy jeans alternatives.
It doesn’t come much easier to wear than a pair of comfortable jeans, but Clodagh McKenna has reminded us that there are some alternatives out there that are equally versatile and a little more elevated. On those occasions when we want to feel put-together something like Clodagh’s ME+EM wide-leg cords would be perfect. The chef wore these navy blue trousers for a recent appearance on ITV’s This Morning and this isn’t the first time we’ve seen her champion the best British clothing brands with her choice of outfits.
She particularly loves wearing ME+EM pieces and we’re not surprised that the corduroy trousers from this look are virtually sold out. They’ve been reduced to £157.50 in the sale with only one size left, but if you love Clodagh’s cords then they also come in a beautiful burnt orange-brown.
Shop Clodagh McKenna's Trousers
We're not at all surprised that Clodagh McKenna's exact trousers are virtually sold out! There's currently one size left in these beautiful blue cords and they're crafted from Italian cotton corduroy with a wide leg silhouette. Tuck in a T-shirt like Clodagh's or a jumper on colder days.
These stunning cords also come in a burnt orange colour and although these ones are sadly not in the sale, they're well worth the investment if you want a pair of versatile trousers to wear in place of jeans. The material makes them easy to style more casually with trainers as well as for smarter occasions.
These cotton-rich cord trousers have a wide-leg silhouette and a mid-rise waist. They fasten with a neat zip and button and have side pockets and patch pockets on the back. Wear with trainers or boots and a shirt tucked in for an easy everyday look.
Shop More Cords
Clodagh also owns a pair of red cords and if you love this on-trend shade then these Nobody's Child ones are a great choice. They are currently reduced in the sale and have pleats running down the legs and belt loops so you can accessorise them easily.
These affordable cords have a cropped, culotte design with two patch pockets on the front and back. They fasten with a zip and button and are high-waisted with practical belt loops. The earthy green shade works especially well with white, black and camel tops and accessories.
With a wide-leg silhouette that finishes at the ankle, these cream cords are neutral enough to work with so many other colours. The side pockets are handy and the hook bar and zip fastening give them a neat feel.
They’re made from luxurious Italian cotton corduroy and have a soft feel and an elegant drape to them. When you’re looking for comfy options the fabric can make all the difference, but the silhouette is equally as important. Clodagh McKenna’s cords have a wide-leg silhouette which we find particularly lovely to wear as the relaxed shape means they’re not tight over your legs or hips like some styles of jeans can be.
Crisp, wide-leg tailored trousers can sometimes feel quite smart, but the beauty of corduroy is that the fabulous slight sheen and relaxed texture makes them easy to dress up or down. The chef could easily have worn her cords with her best white trainers, a white T-shirt and a denim jacket to make it more casual, or styled them with heels and a silky shirt and blazer.
On This Morning Clodagh went for somewhere in between these two approaches and wore her ME+EM cords with a navy blue short sleeved jumper from Bamford and burgundy New Look boots with square toes. The voluminous trousers worked well with a more fitted knit and the coordination of the top and cords made this outfit even more cohesive.
The pop of burgundy with the boots was a fun contrast and the chef tied her blonde tresses back into a messy ponytail with white and navy patterned scarf. She might have worn this outfit to work but it’s given us plenty of inspiration when it comes to styling cords as a key part of our spring capsule wardrobe this year.
They just feel a bit more elevated compared to jeans but without compromising on comfort and the versatility of them makes them worth investing in. Clodagh’s choice of navy blue cords is also reminiscent of indigo denim and can be worn in the same way you’d usually wear jeans. She also owns cords in red and brown, both with similar silhouettes.
If navy just isn’t for you then we’d recommend going for corduroy trousers in a more neutral shade like brown or beige for spring/summer, or else a colour that you know works well with your existing go-to tops.
-
Halle Berry just made a case for the return of ripped jeans - her blazer and sandals brought this denim up to dateDistressed denim is back
-
‘Would going make-up free empower me?’ ponders our columnist Kathy LetteWomen suffer from facial prejudice; we’re judged on our looks in a way that men aren’t, argues our woman&home columnist – who recently tried going to a party bare-faced
-
Halle Berry just made a case for the return of ripped jeans - her blazer and sandals brought this denim up to date
Distressed denim is back
-
Eddie Redmayne's wife Hannah Bagshawe just wore the high street denim shirt dress that solves any wardrobe dilemmaShe teamed her £115 dress with a pair of platform Superga trainers
-
Meg Ryan's chunky boots and printed T-shirt feel like the fresh way to wear tailoring in 2025The actress opted for a smart-casual combination, and it's a look we can easily recreate on the high street
-
I feel relaxed just looking at Jennifer Lopez’s latest outfit – it's comfy-chic at its finestThe singer proved that casual basics can still look high fashion
-
Simple, chic and ageless: Amal Clooney’s summer whites are a reminder timeless style doesn't have to be hardThis sophisticated outfit would look good on all shapes and sizes
-
I hate getting my feet out in summer but Katie Holmes' love affair with black Birkenstocks has me inspiredKatie's Birkenstocks are a versatile staple that we've seen her wear on so many summer days
-
After years of wearing jeans on repeat, I've embraced striped trousers - I only wish I'd tried this flattering trend soonerStripes never go out of style and are even more wearable than I had expected
-
Excuse the pun, but these tennis-inspired pieces by one of my favourite British brands are *ace*This Boden collection is perfect for Wimbledon
