Hah I remember a few years back when everyone was rocking cords. I don't see too many people rockin' em these days, everyone is on the Dickies/chino tip now.
As for good cords, Levi's makes some decent ones. I had a pair that lasted me forever. Not sure what happened to them, but if I could find them I'd rock em again. I think they were 514's, not sure.