Pleated trousers - can be hard work! - YouLookFab Forum

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Pleated trousers - can be hard work!

Sal

Veteran

I purchased these pleated pants back in late summer. I was trying to push my style a bit. They are a true trans seasonal piece - maybe not ideal for the very hottest days but 90 percent of our weather is suitable.

I have worn them - maybe 18-20 times this year. I just don’t know if they work or not. They aren’t the most flattering cut, and I can feel frumpy in them - like badly cut chinos on a male with a polo shirt in the 1980s.

Has anyone else experimented with this style of pants - do you have tips to make them feel better on me? Or are they cut wrong for my short waisted figure?

I am open to experimenting to make them work. But also wondering if flat fronted wider legs would be better on me. I don’t struggle with that shape at all but pleats aren’t always easy…

Thanks in advance.

ETA -
Photos range across the year. Most recent one - the first- was definitely at the wrong too low angle.

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32 replies

Latest reply was from Sal

Runcarla

Veteran

No kidding! Pleated pants are tricky on every shape IMO and you have to try on a lot to find the right fit, whereas flat front trousers are a bit easier.

I’ve had success with pleats that are set wide apart (closer to the outside) on my hips, and a flat - no fly or zipper - front. Also, a full leg vs the pegged leg, so there is flow down the front of the leg. Mine are 3 yo, and though I’ve tried on others, I haven’t managed a pair with sufficient figure flattery to justify adding them to my closet.

I do tuck into the pants, but I also wear a slouchy sweater over the waistband - but not covering the pleats. I generally keep the front of the top smooth - and think your styling with tops that aren’t a button down are the most successful. #1 and #5 with the black belt lowers the waistline and creates good balance. You also reveal a sliver of ankle so the shorter length of the pants looks purposeful. These are my favourites. Actually, I really like how you are wearing them in these outfits. #3 is good too. Good repetition of white T and sneakers, and the open jacket creates a flattering vertical line. Nice business casual, that!

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Sally

Veteran

I really like the way you have casualed (is that a word?) in pics 1 and 2 with the tshirts and sneakers. I think they would look good with a denim shirt as well and perhaps flat sandals for summer. You could dress up at night with a camisole and heels.
I find pleated pants especially hard to style but they look good on you.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Pleated pants are really tough (as are pleated skirts, for that matter) and I suspect Carla is right -- as long as one does not imagine that one pleated pant is like the others, and keeps trying and exercises PPP, the right pair can and will come along.

I quite like these pants on you and don't see what you are seeing. But having said that, I think I understand what you are feeling, because of my own misadventures with pleats of various kinds.

I've also had great success with other pleats, though -- so I know it is not the pleat in itself. It's how it's cut and what the fabric is.

These seem less like wide legs than like pleated straights, which might be a bit more difficult. However, the fabric does have some drape, evidently, and that absolutely helps. I like the colour, too!

My favourite stylings here are 2 and 5 for casual, and 4 and 6 for dressier. I would try what Carla suggests -- a top that is a bit slouchy, not over the pleats but not tucked. Maybe welted, but a soft, non constricting welt. Or a semi tuck without a belt.

Greenjeans

Veteran

Ooh! I feel inspired by your tomboy vibe in pic 5 with the black sneaks and tee. Super-cool imho, made complete by the pleats. Hard work, indeed.

Sal

Veteran

Carla - I think that a welted sweater works best. I want tucking to work but it is a challenge for me...I love those pants on you but I remember your thread stating your challenges.

Thanks Sally - I might try them with heels - and see what I think. I have a denim shirt but the combination feels a bit too tomboyish on me.

Suz - I like 2 the best, I wore that at least once in winter. And I liked the yellow blazer too at the time (May) although I am a bit off this blazer at the moment as it feels a bit too fitted for my current tastes. I did like 5 as well.

Thanks Greenjeans - I liked 5 as well, that was my first wear of them I think.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

So one thing I notice about #2...is that besides the colours being so harmonious yet a bit unexpected, the scarf draws the eye up, and the footwear grounds the look. So our eyes are not immediately drawn to the areas that you feel sensitive about. Note: I think you look fantastic in these pants (in the sensitive areas, too, LOL) but because I have experienced the feeling you are referring to (I'm also a bit short waisted and my tummy is not flat any more and I have thighs with muscles) I think I understand your flattery concerns.

So that might be another consideration for these trousers, at least until you have worn the enough to feel comfortable in them -- do something elsewhere to draw the eye and make a focal point.

rachylou

Veteran

You know, Sal, they look twisted to me in every picture, like that right leg is not hanging straight down. I don’t know if that has anything to do with the pleats…

jussie

Veteran

I also struggle with pleated pants (and skirts). I have one pleated skirt that I rarely wear as it’s tricky to style in a way that I’m happy with.
I can only go back to the old traditional ideas….
Maybe a darker colour pant is easier?
And
Maybe a soft, drapey fabric is easier, with a pointed toe shoe in the same colour as the pants… ?
I think when you have them styled here with the belt, black tee and black shoes looks really great. Something about the simple styling works…. And the “androgynous-ness” works to toughen up the pleated pants and stop them looking frumpy.

Bijou

Veteran

I have some pleated pants, but I have them as a suit and find the column of colour helps make them more flattering. My pleated pants and matching jackets in finds. I like my pants to fit a little oversized and slouchy, with room to put my hands in the pocket. They are nice and comfy and JFE.

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Vildy

Veteran

I was reluctant to say what Rachey did but, yeah, they seem to be cut off grain and therefore half of them is twisting. It's like they're fighting you. I think you could easily and attractively sport a more graceful pair.

Brooklyn

Veteran

Hi Sally. I like all your stylings. My favourite is 3. I think the jacket breaks up the horizontal line of the belt in a good way and gives more blended proportions. Sometimes I feel that a top fully tucked into pants (or skirt) kind of “cuts me in half”. I like the horizontal lines to look more blended. I like Carla’s idea to wear an untucked, shorter knit top. But I’d also encourage you to try a slouchy knit top semi tucked. It might even be a little longer. Like this Brunello Cucinelli outfit. It is a little less “office-y” too, which may or may not be a plus from your perspective.

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Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

I don’t see what you see. Love #1 and #4. May I suggest a mindset shift? Instead of “all that fabric adds bulk”, which seems to be how most people here think about pleats, think of the fabric as necessary to give you ease of movement, and the pleats as a way to pull it all in under control.

Dee

Veteran

I think the issue with styling these pants is due to the type of fabric and its lack of drape. They also appear to taper down towards the ankle which can add to the problem.
I like #6 the best, with the looser, lighter fabric top you've tucked in and the more refined footwear where we see the ankle more. I also think a refined, light coloured sandal might also work too.

Star

Veteran

I do prefer these with their own belt, as in 3. I think they do need a belt and I prefer the low contrast and it kind of blends into the pants but gives the required detail.

Minaminu

Veteran

I second Carla and Suz, pleated trousers are difficult to style. I think part of it is because they add volume to the hips (which I already have plenty!) and slightly change the vertical line of the body. I have noticed that if they are long (ie covering the shoes) they seem to work much better, at least with my body shape.

On a separate note, you have a sense of colour combination and really like your yellow blazer!

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I find pleated trousers (and skirts) very problematic. They simply do not hang nicely on my body type, and they add volume in an unflattering way, so I don’t even bother considering them anymore.

You have a lot of fab pieces, and granted I do have a bit of an anti-pleat bias, but I don’t love these on you. The pleats puff out and don’t look “easy” to me. I think you’ve styled them nicely and made the best of them, though. The important thing is, how do you feel in them? Are you fighting them, tolerating them? Or do you put them on and feel like *you*? These are the things I’m asking myself about pieces that give me pause these days.

Irina

Veteran

Sal, to me your outfits look good.

I tried this style of pants, too. In my experience, wide leg works better than tapered leg. Pleats work the best when there is enough drape - going up the size and let pleats hang more, might help but it depends on a cut of the pants. But generally, I find that pleated style should look more slouchy. Brooklyn’s picture illustrates that.

kkards

Veteran

Agree that at least for now, pleated pants feel hard to style, i think its in part because for so long flat front pants have been the go to silhouette.
anyway I rather like these outfits, and feel like overall they work really well…
for me what seems to be off is the length of the pants and/or the shoes and not the pleats. I’m feeling like you need more skin showing, so I’d either cuff the pants with the sneakers or exchange the sneakers for a shoe that covers less of the foot…or go the other way and wear a boot with a shaft that goes under that pant.

Helena

Veteran

Sal, you always look great! I particularly like your styling with the striped shirt, drapey blouse, and blazer.

That said I think I agree with the comments that pleated pants seem easier when they drape a little more ... So the shape of the pants is not fighting the shape of the body wearing them. That's a personal preference though.

Most importantly, I am fully supportive of pushing your style as I'm trying to do so as well ... But if you don't *feel* great once you've given a new style a fair shake, then you owe it nothing! Just a thought fwiw xx

Jules

Veteran

I’m also short waisted and no fan of pleats, but was honestly pleasantly surprised by the photos after reading your post and looking at the stock photo! I think they look good on you.

Personally I think I like them best with a close fitting top rather than a looser, tucked and blousoned top, so #3 and #5. But there’s some personal styling bias as I am into colour blocking neutrals rather than eg. floral patterns (which I loved last year, I am nothing if not fickle!). I do think there’s something to be said for letting the pants be the statement rather than trying to work them into a busier outfit.

CarolS

Veteran

Pleat placement matters, but I also think a wider leg helps the pant have a more elegant and flattering drape -- it balances out the added volume of the pleat. To my eye, the straight or tapered leg puts the focus on the pleat which can certainly leave me feeling less than fab.

Wide leg culottes are one of my favourite looks on you, and I bet you would carry a wide leg full pant - pleated or flat front - brilliantly.

kkards

Veteran

Adding some examples of what i mean re the footwear

Sublime Pleated Ankle Trousers

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3

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Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Yes, I have pleated pants! Yes, they can be tricky to style. But I do love them

FWIW, I don't think pleats add bulk everywhere. They add ease on the thighs and bottom which can look better than form fitting bottoms.

Sal, I'm not short in the waist, but am short in the rise. You don't look short in the waist to me. I find they work best on my body when the rise isn't so high. Like these I've had for years.

As far as what Rachy and Vildy see, I'm not sure if the grain on these pants is twisted, or if it's the way you're standing and the light catching the fabric to make it seem that way. In #6 they don't look twisted.

I echo what Brooklyn suggests about the jacket adding vertical integrity in #3. KILLER look!

And Carla suggesting you wear a fluid item untucked over the top. Also like Suz's suggestion of creating a focal point elsewhere and up top.

To my eye, I like pleated plants with a longer sleeve, softer, and fluid fit top to balance out the silhouette. Like in #4 - or a fluid and soft jumper of sorts. I also prefer to semi-tuck rather than fully tuck sometimes.

3.1 Phillip Lim Pleated Glen Plaid Crop Wool Pants

$475.00 $189.98

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Anonymous

I don’t think those pants are cut very well, Sal. They just don’t seem to hang right. Maybe try with another pair. And I totally agree that pleated pants can be a lot of work — I’ve gotten rid of all of mine for that very reason! Don’t miss them one bit.

Cardiff girl

Veteran

I know exactly what you mean about these type of trousers.For what it’s worth l actually think that you wear them well but sometimes that’s not enough is it ,we want to feel good in our clothes too.l tend to favour a flat fronted trousers these days as my middle aged tum does not need to be high lighted!

Sal

Veteran

Thanks - there have been some really helpful suggestions here and I appreciate them all. The finds below are looser style pants that I don't struggle with, and I think Suz really summed up my concerns. It's not the volume as such, but pleats add a bit of "poof" sometimes in the wrong place.....

A few things that I plan to try
- welted tops
- considering a slight crop or bare ankle
- moving the focus higher in the outfit
- wearing a jacket to cut the line

I think the crease is how I am standing - but I think the issue could be that these are cut wrong on me - and potentially longer could be better.

I mostly wear these to work which is a good chance for me to experiment as nobody cares - or notices - what I wear.

When I think of my style aspirations these don't quite fit - they aren't bold nor breezy nor elegant - I think they might look cooler on someone with more chill or minimalism or tomboy elements in their style.

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Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I definitely find pleated pants tricky and generally avoid them but of course can not resist trying when opportunity presents itself. I like these best when worn sort of casual and slouchy (2 and 3), but that might be a reflection of what I have been looking at lately.

Star

Veteran

Sal, yes, they are not bold, breezy or elegant. I think you nailed it that is a part of what is amiss too.

lyn67

Veteran

Nope- I hate pleats for myself so I cannot advice on styling ideeas--but these look really gorgeous on you! I have a bit of belly and the pleats just emphasize my hips where I don't need it! That been said, I just bought myself some wider hem 7/8 leg and big cuff wool pants in cream which do have pleats on front (because couldn't find without) but they have enough drape and I immediatelly bossed them sewing down the pleats to the lower hip and now they have more potential for myself. I have and would anytime preffer a flat front wide legs to those pleated. I also think showing a bit of ankle helps, too.

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