Cotton Corduroy fabric, some call it velvet with the ridges
Corduroy is believed to have originated in England during the Industrial Revolution and this fabric can be identified by the cords that run up and down the material and expose the softness. Corduroy fabric is strong and durable; it is typically used to make sport coats and pants, but is considered a casual fabric.
The width of a corduroy cord is commonly called the wale. Corduroy is categorized by the number of cords. Wideness of the wale often dictates the capacity in which the material will be used. For instance, fabric with narrow wales is usually softer to the touch, slightly less durable and often used for shirts, jackets or caps. Lower-numbered wales are thicker and usually more rugged than the higher-numbered varieties. Wide wale material is typically found on pants, while narrower wales are used for sport coats.
The material is machine washable, although special care should be used; turn garments inside out before washing, dry on permanent press and remove while still damp, hang to fully dry and iron on the inside face of the fabric. Any flattening of the corded piles can be reversed by gentle brushing.
