Trouser Crease Lines: Yay or Nay

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Angie is co-founder of YLF and its resident fashion stylist.

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Trouser Crease Lines: Yay or Nay

— by Angie

on July 27, 2012

We’re talking about the crease lines that are deliberately pressed into the centre front and back of both men and women’s trousers as shown in the photos below.

I have an irrational dislike for crease lines on my own trousers. I iron them out immediately when a new pair comes into my wardrobe. I also inform the cleaners, “no crease lines, please”. Strangely, I do like the creases on Greg’s trousers. I also don’t mind seeing these crease lines on the trousers of others. But when it comes to my own trousers, I definitely prefer the way they look sans the crease. I guess I feel more polished and streamlined that way. It’s illogical, but there you have it. I cannot make peace with this particular crease.

I am a nay vote for me, but a yay vote on others. What’s your verdict? Do centre crease lines enhance the look of trousers, thereby adding vertical integrity and elongating the leg line. Or do they take away from them.

Bottoms · Yay or Nay

72 comments · Add a comment

Sona

Veteran

Hmmmm. Interesting thoughts. I think I prefer having crease lines because in my mind it equals a more professional look. I don’t like then on summer weight pants but definitely yes on my professional capsule trousers.

July 27, 2012 at 4:37 am

Ceit

I like them on my husband’s trousers, but I don’t like them on my own. I think they lie funny when one sits, and they really only look nice if you are standing still and not moving.

July 27, 2012 at 4:38 am

JennyAnne

(website)

Veteran

I went through a long period of crease hate. It just reminded me of my mom’s pleated 80s trousers. Now I like the crisp look of a pleat on tailored trousers. Still no pleats, though!

July 27, 2012 at 4:46 am

Deborah

Veteran

Generally I prefer my trousers without creases but I do have one pair of brown bootcut tailored work pants with creases. They are tailored and crisp and I feel the crease adds to this. but overal my preference is no creases.

July 27, 2012 at 4:47 am

Kirti

(website)

Veteran

I wouldn’t like these for me and surprisingly, my husband doesn’t like crease lines on his trousers either! Neither does my dad

July 27, 2012 at 5:12 am

rosee

Veteran

Nay for me — I still can’t get used to the “fussiness” of this look even though it can look more professional. I like pants better without, but I tend to go a bit casual more than very dressy.

July 27, 2012 at 5:16 am

April

Veteran

I don’t mind the look, though in recent years I realize I have changed from the lined dress trousers I used to wear to something more like BR’s Martin fit skinnies: thicker, stretchier fabrics that tend to have a less sharp crease.

July 27, 2012 at 5:20 am

marianna

Veteran

I’ve never given this a second thought actually! I have no preference — either way works for me!

July 27, 2012 at 5:23 am

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I have never given this any thought, but I also wear trousers so infrequently, it’s not much of an issue for me! Have to say though, I don’t mind creases as long as they’re neat.

July 27, 2012 at 5:27 am

greenglove

(website)

Veteran

I am with you Angie, but for different reasons.
I feel as if the crease lines make pants look too polished and crisp for my style.
I think the crease takes away from the flow and drape of a wide leg pant.
I have had trouble with cleaners, they seem to sometimes forget and once they are in a few times, it becomes harder to take them out.
I really will not wear pants with a crease.
I thought I was the only one who cared so much about this!

Men’s pants- different story- they look fine with or without,
I also do not mind them on others.
I think they can make an outfit for a woman much more conservative.
Nay for me Yay (sometimes) on others

July 27, 2012 at 5:43 am

Zapotee

I love the crease line. I adds something to my eye, in terms of polish.

July 27, 2012 at 5:48 am

Amy

(website)

Veteran

I’m at peace with the crease I like the crease line.

July 27, 2012 at 5:56 am

cheryl

Veteran

I don’t have a preference either way.

July 27, 2012 at 5:56 am

Lisa

Veteran

I’m a big yay to creases in trousers. I won’t wear a pair to work without it. For some reason the crease comes across as more professional to my eye on myself. I always ask the cleaners to write down crease to make sure they put a crease in trousers when they are pressed.

July 27, 2012 at 6:05 am

Diane G

On dress pants and work suits it’s a yay but on casual linen pants or jeans it’s a nay.

July 27, 2012 at 6:12 am

Joy

Veteran

I’d not really thought about this before. For the most part I’d rather not have the crease on my pants but have owned a crisp pair of white trousers where the crease seemed to add to the sharp look. Looking at your examples, I’d like all of these better without the crease, especially the last pair.

July 27, 2012 at 6:27 am

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Angie – I thought I was the only one who hated a sharp crease on my pants! I think logically I should like it – it would probably elongate my leg line, but I don’t. Like you, I do like it on my husband’s dress pants because it makes them look crisper and somehow more work appropriate.

July 27, 2012 at 6:32 am

christieanne

Veteran

I think it depends on the pant and fabric for me. On a slim leg I prefer sans crease but on my wider, more traditional trousers then I do the crease. I have trouser jeans with creases as well.

July 27, 2012 at 6:36 am

ironkurtin

Veteran

No crease for me, it’s too rigid. But my mom loves them. To each their own!

July 27, 2012 at 6:41 am

Jamie

Veteran

This is an interesting question. I like to see a crease line on trousers, but I’ve become more and more frustrated with them. Once the trousers come back from the cleaners for the first time, they are never the same again — double creased, wavy creases, interrupted creases — I could go on. It drives me batty, and after a while, they are nearly impossible to correct. As others have noted, I have a hard time getting the cleaners to adhere to my request for no creases. Just for the sheer frustration, I think I prefer no creases, especially if the trousers are wide-legged or slouchy. So, my question, does removing the crease say that the trousers are less professional? I never thought so before this thread.

July 27, 2012 at 6:43 am

Nadya

Veteran

I’I’mm a Nay, and like Shannon I thought I was the only one! Plus, I think the crease (especially if done in an industrial press by cleaners) ages the slacks faster, as the crease line starts to wear or get shiny.

July 27, 2012 at 6:46 am

clearlyclaire

I can’t believe I’ve never thought about this! It must be because I so seldom wear trousers or even have a pair in my wardrobe. I guess I would continue to crease the pants if they came that way and leave the crease out if they were already creaseless.

July 27, 2012 at 6:50 am

anya

I love those lines! I have a pair of trousers stitched along the crease line to make it more permanent. I think for me it helps give a more professional look.

July 27, 2012 at 6:50 am

merwoman

Veteran

Like a few others – never really gave this a thought one way or the other.
I’m not adverse to the crease – I think it depends on the pant and the fabrication.

July 27, 2012 at 6:51 am

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

Nay for me – I prefer the clean no lined look.

July 27, 2012 at 6:51 am

Angela

Depends on the pant but I was always taught that it brought them up to a professional level…I crease most pants, even some jeans although the knife like crease my mother can iron in but she used ti iron sheets and knickers too

July 27, 2012 at 6:58 am

MNsara

Veteran

Never actually thought it thru, but I’m pretty sure I like the crease line! I’ll take any elongating vertical lines I can get

I usually struggle with how the lines do or don’t fade away, end, or disappear above the leg in the torso area – that can bug me!

July 27, 2012 at 7:08 am

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Creased trousers immediately brings to mind my always groomed and pressed grandmother, who in all her 95 years (she died last year) was never seen with a wrinkle – even on her face. I don’t remember ever having worn a pair of creased pants, and am not sure I have seen one around here, but I have a very casual lifestyle and live in a very casual country.

July 27, 2012 at 7:10 am

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Wow. Such a mixed bag of responses. So interesting!

Greengolve, I really enjoyed your opinion. I also think that crease lines take away from the flow of a wider trouser. And to Jamie’s point, crease lines are harder to remove the more they are pressed in at the cleaners.

As for the professional or polished integrity of the crease line, I have the opposite point of view. I don’t think they make an outfit look more polished – in fact, I feel *less* polished with trouser crease lines. Also, I just thought of another reason why I dislike them. They feel too maximal for my style. It’s another line that’s part of the work of art – we are all walking works of art. And this line distracts the artwork somehow. Whereas others believe that they add crispness to an outfit, I believe that they do the opposite to my own outfits. Then again, I like them on Greg’s suits!

July 27, 2012 at 7:12 am

qpswan

Active Member

Maintain the Crease! Until today, I never knew that there were crease adverse people…

If trouser are creased when I buy them, I maintain the crease. If I intend to wear non- creased trousers or capris to work, I add a crease. As mentioned above, I feel it is a more polished, professional look.

July 27, 2012 at 7:13 am

shoppingisfun

(website)

Veteran

Put me firmly in Camp Crease. It’s not easy for me to create my own crease-lines, since I don’t iron (I use a steamer)…but I love pants with a permanent crease, and I love it when the dry-cleaner puts a crease down the middle. I feel like it makes me look taller.

July 27, 2012 at 7:18 am

Jamie

Veteran

Angie, I love the artwork aspect. I never thought about it that way, but you’re right. I’m thinking of another annoying aspect of creases…at least for me. Sometimes a crease will fall in center of one leg and veer off to the side of the other leg. Talk about distracting from the entire look of an outfit. Hmm. I never knew I had such strong feelings about trouser creases!

I really do like them, though, on others and on my husband’s trousers. I’ve just grown tired of them for myself.

July 27, 2012 at 7:26 am

Heather

Veteran

Oh! I have an extreme dislike of a crease on ladies’ trousers/shorts. My dry cleaner knows not to do that with my trousers (there is always a special tag that reads; NO CREASE on my pieces when I pick up); however, I do like it on men’s trousers–but not denim.

July 27, 2012 at 7:32 am

Kat

(website)

I love creased trousers! I like the parallel lines they create; I am into structured looks, and this just ups the precision of the ensemble for me.

July 27, 2012 at 7:47 am

Sunita

Veteran

I prefer a crease on dress pants for work. On khakis and linen pants I don’t need them but also don’t mind them. Depends on whether I have the energy to iron them that way I guess!

July 27, 2012 at 7:56 am

(website)

Veteran

Never gave it much thought, but I only wear trousers maybe half a dozen times a year, so that might be why! I could take it or leave it, I guess.

July 27, 2012 at 7:59 am

Aziraphale

Veteran

I thought it was just me! I always iron out crease lines right away. I think my dislike of them stems from a long-ago association between crease lines and the conservative older generation. When I was a young woman, I saw trousers pressed with a crease as something for old men and ladies, or people working in a conservative office environment, and I didn’t identify with either.

Now they don’t bother me so much, probably because I’m much older myself, lol, and no longer offended by conservative dress. I still iron them out of my own pants, but I don’t think they look out of place on trousers in general — especially office wear.

I still think crease lines look goofy on jeans, though. Even trouser-cut jeans.

July 27, 2012 at 8:01 am

Louise

Veteran

Nay I’m not a crease lover x

July 27, 2012 at 8:11 am

Sihaya

Veteran

I like crease lines on my trousers. I typically only way slim or boot cuts. I think I would want them removed if I were doing wide legged trousers for the reasons Greenglove mentioned. I *think* I like crease lines on others – but this is so interesting because I’m not sure I’ve paid careful attention to this detail. I will be scouting for crease lines on others the rest of the day today when I go out

July 27, 2012 at 8:13 am

Ruth

I think it depends on the fabric the trousers are made of. If a crisp fabric, then a crease looks better. No crease necessary or even desireable for pants made out of soft, drapey fabric.

For professional suits, I think a crease looks much better.

July 27, 2012 at 8:24 am

Vildy

Veteran

What an interesting question. You are polished and don’t like them. I am not polished and don’t care for vertical stripes all that much and I love them. I think it affects the way pants hang/move. That’s why I like it.

July 27, 2012 at 8:40 am

janeStyle

Hmm..never thought about this before. I like them for my professional pants too. I hate the kind of crease that is sewn into the pants…it has to be a pressed crease. I think it adds some structure to the pant leg that appeals to me.

July 27, 2012 at 8:54 am

Antje

Veteran

Interesting question, and surprising (to me) vote from you, Angie! I personally like creases in dressy trousers. I think they create a more polished look, and can also be slimming.

However, creases in bootcut jeans, now that’s a different question. They aren’t very common these days, but sometimes I still see them around, and I don’t like them one bit – to me that “doesn’t go”. Creases in trouser jeans are fine to my eye, but not in more casual cuts like bootcuts. But I realize this wasn’t the question at all

July 27, 2012 at 9:20 am

rachylou

Veteran

Eh, I like the crease, but the pants have to be like the burgundy ones in the pics. It’s not for hip-looks, if you ask me – or anything even approaching hip.

July 27, 2012 at 9:33 am

Diana

Veteran

Hmm, I don’t have much of an opinion on this, given that I only own one pair of trousers that I never wear. However, there is one situation where i hate the front crease, and that is when it’s on very wide leg trousers and pushes the cuff out vertically, hiding one’s entire shoe. I really dislike it when you can’t see the shoe at all.

July 27, 2012 at 9:35 am

JulieJohn

Veteran

NAY for myself! I feel they are affected, but don’t mind or haven’t even noticed them on others. My eyes will be peeled now, like Shaya said.

I do passionately hate them in denim on anyone! How rude of me, but there it is.

I remember this really tall guy in junior high school in the late 70s who wore knife-edge creased denim bell bottoms. Yeeks! He also walked on his tiptoes. UGH – Bad flashback!

July 27, 2012 at 9:39 am

Ornella

(website)

Veteran

Angie, you know how I love it how you shed light on various aspects of our wardrobe and this post is a perfect example of that. My favorites must be things I never gave any contentious thought to – then, after reading your post, I have this sudden realization that I *was* noticing the very thing/s all the time, but never really let the opinion about it form in my head.

My vote on this one is Nay

July 27, 2012 at 9:48 am

Sylvie

Veteran

I can never iron them in properly but if I could I’d definitely be a “yay”. In my head, they say “super polished and professional and crisp” especially on slim pants. It’s interesting that it’s the opposite for so many. I don’t like them on wide legged pants as much.

July 27, 2012 at 10:06 am

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

This is an interesting conversation, of which there is no right or wrong point of view I might add. It’s all a subjective perception

Jamie and Ornella, high five to you both. We have very similar perceptions about trouser crease lines.

Sylvie, I think your opinion is actually the popular one. It’s mine that goes completely against the grain. Vildy makes a great comparison.

Rachy hits on another interesting point. Trouser crease lines reduce the “hip-factor” on modern trousers. My eyes see the same thing.

July 27, 2012 at 10:10 am

Laura

(website)

Veteran

Honestly, I was going to say I like the crease lines, but reading the responses, I am starting to rethink that. However, the fact that I rarely wear trousers probably renders my opinion moot!

July 27, 2012 at 10:22 am

PalmFronds

Active Member

I like the crease lines.I think it adds to the vertical illusion of length, so I try to keep it in if I can.
Now the horizontal manufactured crease lines are another thing, those I quite dislike!

July 27, 2012 at 10:43 am

morethanbeige

Veteran

I am such a casual dresser these days and I think the crease looks out of place with my outfits, so I am voting NAY to trouser crease.

July 27, 2012 at 11:13 am

Vicki

(website)

Veteran

I’m with Amy in that I’m at peace with the crease when it comes to trousers and dress pants and not with casual wear. I’ve never really thought about it, and just accepted the crease if it came with the pants. It was so interesting to hear that you iron them out immediately. I don’t really have a reason for liking it, but maybe I think it adds some length to my shorter lines.

July 27, 2012 at 11:33 am

Marley

Veteran

In the interest of full disclosure – I don’t like trousers very well to begin with. So, with that being said I’d have to say “no” in genera,l to the crease. However, I think that it would be possible to wear a really cool “sculptural” outfit with a creased trouser – as long as the lines in the rest of your outfit were kept to a minimum.

Interesting, as soon as I say “no” to trouser creases I can hear a little voice inside of me saying “Come on., Marley – prove yourself wrong! Challenge yourself to a “cool” trouser crease look”! Maybe I can find some creased trousers in my closet and give it a go! These little challenges that I give myself are the way that I keep my SYC from boring me to death!

July 27, 2012 at 11:35 am

MsMary

Veteran

As Marvin said just before Vincent shot him in the face in the back seat of the getaway car, “Man, I don’t EVEN have an opinion!”

/”Pulp Fiction”

July 27, 2012 at 11:55 am

Parsley

Veteran

I like my dress pants creased, but not my more casual pants.
But I don’t lose sleep over it one way or another.

July 27, 2012 at 2:27 pm

Mamapicklejuice

Veteran

Creased trousers make me think of Katherine Hepburn’s style, so I’m a yay, although my current lifestyle doesn’t demand pants creases.

July 27, 2012 at 3:02 pm

KathyL

Veteran

I’m a definite yay for creased pants, especially with my work trousers. To my eye, they make the pants look crisper and more professional.

July 27, 2012 at 6:17 pm

Kate

Veteran

I rarely wear trousers, so this is not an issue for me, but my preference is no crease. I can live with a crease in narrow trousers, but not in wide-legged ones.

July 27, 2012 at 7:34 pm

Ginger

Active Member

If I’m ironing I put a crease in. Usually it’s history within minutes of wearing the pants. Sometimes it’ll stay in the below the knee portion.

What I don’t like is pants where the crease is seamed into the fabric. I’ve noticed that Larry Levin pants, which I usually like otherwise, add that detail.

July 28, 2012 at 5:09 am

La Francaise

I definitely don’t like pressed-in front creases in my own trousers, and generally avoid buying those that have them, because in my experience they are very hard to remove!! And, like Ginger, I absolutely HATE the stitched-down ones: partly because they are so often synonymous with synthetic fabrics like faux-gaberdine polyester.

However, I like to see a crisp pleat on my husband’s trousers, unless they are very casual ones like chinos, jeans or cargo pants.

July 28, 2012 at 10:06 am

krishnidoux

Veteran

Hmmm. Never thought about this before! But thanks to your clarifications, I now see how this could be important. I’ll pay more attention to that detail from now on.

Usually I tend to like front creases just because they elongate the leg… or so I think. I might be wrong.

I have to go try on my pants now.

July 28, 2012 at 4:47 pm

Andrea

I recently did a trouser drafting course and have been doing a lot making patterns for myself and sewing. When I sent in a photo of my work for some help, the tutor said I needed to iron a crease in because it affects how the pants fall/drape. She’s probably right, but as I have a massive ironing aversion I can’t see myself keeping it up.

July 30, 2012 at 12:37 am

Meredith1953

Veteran

I personally love the vertical crease on trousers as it makes the line of the leg look longer to me! Sometimes that knife crease is hard to maintain though.

July 30, 2012 at 7:18 am

Meredith

Active Member

This is something that I’ve never given much thought to. I have to say yay, because it has never really bothered me.

I would love to see you reaction to the cowboys in Texas that iron crease lines into their Wranglers!

July 30, 2012 at 7:35 am

Inge

(website)

Moderator

I’m a yay. I quite like these crease lines in dressy trousers. It feels more crisp and streamlined to me. Funny that there are two clearly divided camps on this one:-)

July 30, 2012 at 1:09 pm

Aida

Veteran

Definitely NAY for me, I’m with Jean in that I really want my wider legged pants to have an uninterrupted flow. I would say I’m indifferent on creases for others, if they like them that’s fine with me. I don’t see them as necessarily polished nor streamlined, just a different vibe. In the photos you included, the burgundy pair on the top right looks best to me but that’s probably because the crease through the thigh is slight and almost unnoticeable.

(OK and pressing those creases into jeans is news to me. What!?)

July 31, 2012 at 2:36 pm

Aida

Veteran

Also wanted to add that I DO like seamed wide leg trousers, just not creased.

July 31, 2012 at 2:37 pm

H.Masters

Def a yay! But the crease must be properly set. Try bringing your pants into a “men’s wearhouse” and ask the tailors to add a “supercrease”. Best $10 I ever spent… my pants now make me look 10 pounds thinner.

November 10, 2012 at 12:13 pm

Nyomi

I love a crease in dress pants. They look very professional and makes me think that person works in a professional setting.

February 26, 2015 at 11:18 pm

Nina

You’re right they do look better on mens pants I don’t like them on my own pants or shorts. My husband really likes creases even on his jeans. I have to admit he looks really sharp when the crease is set just right in the front and the back of his pants.

January 15, 2016 at 7:09 pm

angela carter

I have just baught a pair of White cigarette trousers they have come with a crease in them and im not sure wether to keep the crease or iron them flat ? Any suggestions please.

August 4, 2016 at 3:46 pm

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