Figure-flattery question: Pleat and tie-front pants.

I love the look of these tie pants with pleats. I was recently in NYC and I saw a lot of women wearing ankle-length pleat-front pants, and a few had these sashes or ties. I think I missed the trend because I can't find this particular style after a quick search on Nordstrom. (This pic is from Nordstrom.) I can find plenty with a drawstring tie, and some pleat-front styles that are full-length, but nothing ankle-length.

I'm tired of jeans and rarely wear them because I find them constricting. (I'm looking for not too-tight jeans, too.) I mostly wear pull-on crop or ankle-length pants -- the Brooklyn Ankle pant from Athleta for example.

My question: Do you find that the tie accentuates the abdominal area? I know pleats can. Semi-tucks work better for me, or no tuck at all.

Thanks for any advice. If you have this style, what do you think about them?

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1 year ago

slim cat

Veteran

Cann't wear that style on my short waist. It does accentuates the non flat stomach - especially ties ( looks better off the center to my eye ).

Runcarla

No matter how slim or fit I get, I always have a rounded tummy. I find some pleated pants work (when the pleats are shallow, set in a flat front with elastic back) work just fine, but the sash tie is a no go.

Good luck with your search.

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by Runcarla

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Liz

I love that style as well, and am always drawn to it. When I've experimented, however, I've found it hard to wear. If I try to wear a more loose-fitting top that drapes, and half-tuck or leave it untucked, the top + pleats are just too much loose fabric for my preferences. I definitely think it's worth experimenting with. If you find the right pants/top combo, it can look great.

LoriFLA

Active Member

Good tip for the ties to go off-center. That makes sense.

I've always heard to go plain and flat to flatter the midsection, but I like how these look so much that I was hoping they might work for larger midriffs. Items with details at belly section have never looked particularly good on me -- I'm thinking about peplum tops or ruffles at the hem.

I'll probably stick to minimal details in the stomach area.

Thanks Runcarla, your advice makes sense. The set-in pleats more flattering and your pants are fab! I'll skip the tie and admire it on others.

Liz, right on about a looser top and the looser pleats looking not so great. I can see how that wouldn't work.

Janet

(website)

I avoid these styles like the plague. I used to have a very flat stomach but post menopause it’s a little more fluffy, but that’s not even my biggest concern with these styles. Rather it’s that I have quite wide hips, and pleats and gathers in pants just emphasize the width of that part of my body. I’m also quite short in the torso so the effect is even more exaggerated.

I have two pairs of the Brooklyn crops and find them much more wearable and flattering — I can semi tuck or not tuck at all, depending on the top. They’re a big summer staple for me when it’s too hot for jeans. I also wear lightweight flat-front chinos, slightly sized up for ease in the thighs, and cuffed or rolled at the hem.

by Janet

Athleta

Gap Brooklyn Ankle Pant

Top Pick

Gap Brooklyn Plaid Ankle Pant

Star

I had a pair of linen pants just like those, with a sash, in rust. I donated them, and I hardly ever edit. They were so unflattering on slightly rounded tummy.

Suz

This style worked for me when I was very young and had a flatter than flat tummy. It is difficult for me to wear now. Not, however, impossible. It does depend on the drape, where the waistband actually falls, etc. I've had a paper bag waist skirt with a tie that worked well. And I have a pair of culottes that, while they don't actually have the tie, have a sort of faux tie (button sides) and pleats. But the pleats start partway down -- they don't start at the top.

Boden

Melina Paperbag Skirt

J.Crew

Pleated cropped wide-leg pant in glen plaid

Thanks all. I am glad I asked this question. I'll skip this style. Thanks for the good advice and suggestions.

rachylou

I find with a silky fabric like you show, it works ok with my short waisted round tum, but I find dangling ties very fussy. Have to retie often.

Zaeobi

Agree with rachy that it can work in certain fabrics - I'm a short-waisted hourglassy pear for whom this style is *supposed* to be a slam dunk (I'm either a 'Romantic' or 'Soft Classic' Kibbe type) however I have just *one* pair of such trousers that work. That's because they have a *high-rise* paperbag waist in a dark brown tencel - the combo of the material, fabric & fit helps to minimise my rounded lower stomach (just wore them to a big dinner yesterday, in fact!)

That said, the pleats on those are not very pronounced (despite the paperbag-style, gathered waistband). I just tried on a similar style of khaki trousers 2 days ago, yet they didn't leave the dressing room due to the stiffness of the *sash* - the trouser fabric itself was ok, but the belt loops & belt lay weirdly because of their relative heft.

TL;DR: I wouldn't buy any pair of paper bag/ pleat front pants without the ability to try them on in-person (ideally with the top you plan to wear with them).

JAileen

I don’t like pants (or skirts) with ties since I was in my 20s. I was very slender then and could wear anything. Now I’m kind of pudgy and avoid these.

Stagiaire Fash

I agree with Zaoebi that high-waisted would work better. Also think you need to like your body—if you aren’t at peace with how you look naked, then finding clothes becomes much more difficult.

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