Are Pleated Trousers In Fashion?

Are pleated trousers fashionable?

The short answer? Yes! Absolutely! 👍🏾

A pleated trouser tapered from the thigh to bottom with a slightly higher rise is so classy & cool! 😎

Pleats in trousers were always seen as a luxury, due to the extra fabric used in their creation.

During the War, government rationing meant that tailors had to find a more economical way to make trousers, so the pleat disappeared in favour of the plain front trouser… also seen by many as a more efficient, practical style of trouser (one reason why jeans have almost always been plain fronted). 👖

But the pleat made a comeback post war and nowhere is this better demonstrated than a quick look at the Amazon Prime show, The Marvellous Mrs Mabel, which completely demonstrates old school glamour in the way people dressed in normal daily life. 🤵‍♂️

The pleat fell victim to fashion trends again in the 60s as men began to favour a trimmer cut in their coats and trousers, carrying on through the 70s and early 80s, till they finally made another comeback in the 90s and early 2000s as we entered another era of wealth creation and good times.

Then it fell victim to austerity in the late noughties as men thought they wanted skinny suits but the reality was the fashion industry, as ever, just manipulated them into thinking this. After all, a quarter yard less fabric needed to make the pleats in your trousers is retained profit for us!

Now, as we emerge from a global pandemic where many people lost weight, stabilised and then got even fatter than they were in the first place, we have become a nation of comfort seekers when it comes to our clothes - and out of the sidelines steps the pleat once more! 👋

That extra fabric at the front of the seat gives more room, meaning breathability in the garment and most importantly COMFORT. 😊

Pleats add an extra touch of luxury and style, for larger chaps will sit much better than plain fronts ever will and when cut right by your tailor (see example from yours truly in the image) just give you a bit of extra class and swagger in a current world of below average dressed people. 🙌🏾

So the next time you’re shopping for smarter trousers, don’t hesitate to consider pleats. You’ll thank me the moment you slip them on!

If you’ve never worn pleats before, would you consider them? Are you finding dressing for your day more challenging than ever before? 🤷‍♂️ 🫤

Let me know and ask any questions you have on your mind in the comments! 👇