An article of apparel, the article of apparel comprising: a pelvic region for covering a pelvic area of a wearer when the article of apparel is in an as-worn configuration, the pelvic region comprising a waistband, the waistband comprising an inner surface, an outer surface, a first end, a second end, a top edge, and a bottom edge; a pair of leg portions coupled to the pelvic region of the article to form the article of apparel, the article of apparel characterised by at least one cord having a first end, a second end, and an intervening portion between the first end and the second end, wherein: the first end and the second end are fixedly attached to at least one of the first end or the second end of the waistband, and the intervening portion is movably coupled to the outer surface of the waistband using embroidery stitching, the embroidery stitching forming an embroidery tunnel on the outer surface of the waistband that permits the intervening portion to move in a direction substantially parallel to the top and the bottom edge of the waistband, the embroidery tunnel forming a plurality of substantially parallel courses relative to the top edge and the bottom edge of the waistband, the embroidery tunnel configured to distribute a tensioning force applied to the cord across at least a part of the waistband. a pelvic region for covering a pelvic area of a wearer when the article of apparel is in an as-worn configuration, the pelvic region comprising a waistband, the waistband comprising an inner surface, an outer surface, a first end, a second end, a top edge, and a bottom edge; a pair of leg portions coupled to the pelvic region of the article to form the article of apparel, the article of apparel characterised by at least one cord having a first end, a second end, and an intervening portion between the first end and the second end, wherein: the first end and the second end are fixedly attached to at least one of the first end or the second end of the waistband, and the intervening portion is movably coupled to the outer surface of the waistband using embroidery stitching, the embroidery stitching forming an embroidery tunnel on the outer surface of the waistband that permits the intervening portion to move in a direction substantially parallel to the top and the bottom edge of the waistband, the embroidery tunnel forming a plurality of substantially parallel courses relative to the top edge and the bottom edge of the waistband, the embroidery tunnel configured to distribute a tensioning force applied to the cord across at least a part of the waistband. the first end and the second end are fixedly attached to at least one of the first end or the second end of the waistband, and the intervening portion is movably coupled to the outer surface of the waistband using embroidery stitching, the embroidery stitching forming an embroidery tunnel on the outer surface of the waistband that permits the intervening portion to move in a direction substantially parallel to the top and the bottom edge of the waistband, the embroidery tunnel forming a plurality of substantially parallel courses relative to the top edge and the bottom edge of the waistband, the embroidery tunnel configured to distribute a tensioning force applied to the cord across at least a part of the waistband.