Pleated pants are in style these days as a fashion sense and a more comfortable alternative than flat front pants or jeans. Pleated pant has basically an extra fold of fabric beneath the waistband which is carefully created to add extra room near the waist and thigh area, which allows more degrees of freedom of movement in the front area of the legs. As pleated pants top the style statement, now is the time for all men to update their wardrobe with Pleated pants.
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What are pleated pants?
A pleated pant is a fold of fabric sewn beneath the waistband, towards the front of a pair of trousers. It is basically an extra inch of material to each leg. Pleats are carefully created by folding the fabric and sewing it before attaching it to a waistband.
Generally, one, two, or three pleats can face either side, i.e., inward-facing fold or outwards facing fold preferred by most men. The main pleat, which is the longest and deepest, runs with an angle of 90 degrees from under the waistband to the trousers center crease.
The second pleat is comparatively shorter and shallower than the first pleat. The main function of the second pleat is to keep the main crease closed and intact, giving a perfect shape and comfort to the wearer.
Pants can be single pleated, double pleated, triple pleated, or even more. The end pleat is closest to the trouser pockets, extending in length to about where it terminates.
Types of Pleats
Pant pleats are generally categorized into two main types:
Forward Pleat
In this type, the pleats are folded toward the fly seam of your pants. In this, the pleats are folded inwards that is opposite to the direction of your pants’ pocket. It is most of the time associated with English tailoring as the British men generally favor inward-facing pleats. In addition, it tends to remain flat and gives a good shape to the waist and thighs as these pleats are neater and stay fit.
Reverse pleats
In this type, the pleats are folded towards the trousers pocket and referred to as outward-facing pleats. Most of the time associated with Italian tailoring as Italian man mostly favors this style of pants. However, reverse pleats usually do create a looser look of trousers resulting in the ballooning of fabric.
Importance of Pleats
Un-pleated pants, also known as flat pants are trousers in which the material lies flat near the zipper area and are worn slightly lower on the hips, making them look slim and more fitted. Since there are no pleats, the silhouette is cleaner, which flatters the slimmer figure.
Still, it generally misses out on the main purpose of clothing: comfort. As in front, no extra material is added to the pants. These flat-front pants become too tight in the upper leg and give a very uncomfortable slim look in front for men.
More than just a fashion, a pleated pant serves as a comfortable product for men compared to flat front dress pants. When you sit, naturally, your thighs and hips widen out, and it will be super uncomfortable if you are wearing a flat front. Here serves the main purpose of a comfortable and extra room near the waist and thigh area, which allows more degrees of freedom of movement in the front area of the legs.
Giving an extra inch of material to each leg prevents the pants from creasing when you sit. This also lets your pants lay smoothly while sitting and help you to stay comfortable all the time. In addition, pleated pants totally solve the stress on your abdomen, which flat front dress pants create and give a comfortable feeling when you are sitting and when you’re walking, standing, crouching, and bending.
Along with comfort, it also gives you extra space to keep up your stuff in the front pockets without creating an imitation of the things concealed within the pockets.
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What to look up to before buying a Pleated Trousers
Pleated pants definitely look a bit dressier and add a little variety to your wardrobe, so you need to decide well before buying a pair of pleated trousers yourself as it is always in style and gives a modern look. Hence, it is necessary to choose wisely before buying one for yourself. Here are few things to look up to before buying pleated pants :
1. Fabric Choice
It should be according to your personal comfort and the look you want to have, which decides the fabric of the pants. You can choose between lightweight fabrics and heavy-weight fabrics to get the desired style. Lightweight fabrics include cotton poplin, Linen, wool, etc. The heavyweight fabric includes flannel, canvas, jeans which contribute to the sense of volume created by pleats and can lead to a more old-fashioned and traditional and classic look on men. Whatever you choose, the proper fit of it is most crucial.
2. Number of pleats
Please choose the number of pleats in your trousers according to the need and want of it.
A single pleated pair of trousers offer less billow and a narrower silhouette and look a little more modern. Still, it creates and continues the crease that runs up the center of each leg. In addition, they don’t offer much flexibility as it is quite tight. So if you go with single pleated dress pants, they must have a proper fit to your body.
In double-pleated trousers, the second pleat is shorter and shallower if compared to the first pleat. This is because the main function of the second pleat is to keep the main crease closed and intact, giving a perfect shape and style. It also gives more space as an extra inch of material is added to both legs of trousers. As a result, double pleats can be more relaxed and comfortable.
A third or more pleats added to your trousers may not have a real function or need but can add to fashion or style prevailing from time to time.
3. With or without Cuffs
Pants cuff are basically the bottom hem of your trouser legs folded outside. It is totally driven by personal interest and fashion whether you want a cuffed pleated trousers or no cuff pleated trousers.
With cuffs, trousers come with extra fabric that provides a little extra weight, making the trousers drape better. For casual meets, the cuffs are a good choice as the weight of the cuff will hold the pleats in place, and thus, you will give a creased-free straight look throughout the day. It provides a good mix for your wardrobe. If you decide on cuffs for your pleated pants, it has to be just touching the top of your shoe.
Without cuffs can be a good option for the one who likes their pants to be light-weighted. For formal events, it is a good choice of pants which you can wear. While going for cuff-less pants informal meets, you should keep in mind that the hem rests lower on the top of the shoe heel to keep the pleats in place.
4. Type of pleat
You can choose between forwarding Pleats and Reverse pleats according to the prevailing fashion and style.
In the forward pleat, the pleats are folded inwards opposite the direction of your dress pants pocket. It tends to remain flat and gives a good slim style to the waist and thighs as these pleats are neater and stay fit.
In reverse pleated pants, the pleats are folded towards the trousers pocket and referred to as outward-facing pleats. Wearing reverse pleated pants gives a more loose body shape. It gives more of a classic and traditional look.
How to maintain Pleated pants
We need to understand how to maintain our pleated trousers with care, that they are never worn out and always remain in style. Applying a few of the general rules on washing and ironing can help your pants, and the pleats are in wearing condition for a longer time.
How to wash your Pleated pants
Always use the mild laundry detergent and, with gentle hands, wash it. If using the washing machine, then use the gentlest cycle available. Next, wash it using cold water. Take the pants out of your washing machine as soon as the cycle has ended and after washing, hang it out to dry. Most pleated pants should retain their pleats without losing their shape and fit.
How to iron your Dress pants
While ironing the trouser, the most important thing to be kept in mind is to keep the pleats in shape. Always press and lift the pleats rather than pushing over and over them, which makes the pleats get flat, and gradually, it deforms itself. Next, carefully consider the fabric of the pants to adjust the temperature of the iron. Then, start by ironing the pant legs by laying the trousers flat with cuffs right at one end to form the crease, ironing the pleats, and at last, the trouser’s waist.
Are pleated trousers in fashion now?
A couple of decades earlier, all men preferred to wear tight-fitting flat-front dress pants. But, to be honest, leaving a small bunch of men’s, flat front pants never really used to suit them. A flat front is a style of pants that only suit men with a small waist, and flat, unpleasant pants are way too uncomfortable to stretch your legs. Then born out of necessity, the Pleated Pants have extra folds of fabric in the front of the trouser to give extra space and added comfort.
In the last few years, Pleated pants are in fashion as they suit all men irrespective of height and waist size. Pleated pants have again created a rapid craze in the market and fashion statements. Even compared to a pair of jeans, wearing a pair of pleated pants is way more comfortable and generally suits all the men giving them a modern dress style. Moreover, “nothing is more luxurious than comfort.”
Conclusion
Flat front pants, which ruled the major times, are now ruled out by the pleated pants. Pleated pants are in style these days as a fashion sense and a more comfortable alternative than flat front pants or jeans. Even though flat fronts gave a slimmer look, pleated pants are easy to wear and will never be out of style as Pleated pants have an extra inch of material to each leg.
Thus flat front pants have taken a back seat these days in terms of style. Pleated pants are of two types, namely Forward Pleats and Reverse Pleats Pant. According to the style, one can wear any one of the types. It is quite easy to wear and to maintain this is a true appreciation of style. As pleated pants are not specifically suited for any particular body type, nearly any man can wear them and get a slimmer, comfortable, and fashionable style. As pleated pants top the style statement, now is the time for all you men to update your wardrobe with Pleated pants.
