A soft cord folded into a narrow bias-cut piece of fabric that is stitched into a seam to provide decorative embellishment. Very similar to piping Corduroy A cotton fabric with distinctive vertical rows of soft pile. These rows, referred to as cords or wales, can vary in width. Pinwale is the thinnest and wide wale is the thickest. From the French phrase corde du roi, or "king's cord," corduroy once uniformed Louis XIV's outdoor servants. Today, it is a popular sportswear fabric ideal for pants and sport coats.