What are The Best of The Best Corduroy Pants <$400?

[Anachronist]

I love corduroy especially in autumn and winter. That said, it is not an overly exclusive fabric, wears quickly and looses creases and shape faster than you can say „boo“. Shelling out more than 200 bucks for a pair of corduroy trousers is a bit mad IMHO and if yes, you’re paying more for the brand than anything else (like Kiton Jeans for 700 bucks, which are simple rebranded Jacob Cohens). Find a trouser brand with corduroys that fits you and has the color you’re looking for and enjoy. Over here in Europe/Germany I‘d recommend first Hiltl, then Brax.

 

[comrade]

I picked up a pair of dark green corduroy' at Burberry's
in San Francisco or eight years ago. They are trim with
a lowish rise( my preference) and a single inward -facing
pleat. I have no idea whether Burberry's has anything like
them now. The last time I checked before covid, they didn't.

 

[Mirage-]

I have no idea who makes the best cords, but I think the only sane approach is to start with the leg line you want.
For example, personally I like straight-ish trousers and dislike elastane: this fact already disqualifies 80+% of trousers I could consider buying, and about 100% of those sold by shops here in Italy.
I ended up buying a pair on sale from Berg & Berg which fits that description, and are also washable (a big bonus imo).
They are however high-rise but without pleats (this particular model, but there were others with them), which I ended up finding pretty uncomfortable when sitting.

 

[Spinster Jones]

about 100% of those sold by shops here in Italy.

Went to Genoa. Visited an old shop with an old guy that didn't speak english. Pointed to my pants and said "wide?". He shakes his head. I pointed to a pair of corduroys and said "Can I try?". He pointed towards me and said "too big", and then towards the corduroys -"piccolo".