Pleated pants may not be the first thing you think of when it comes to earning style points, but the professor-approved bottoms are arguably one of the most elegant things you can wear on a daily basis. Whether it’s due to a demand for more comfortable formalwear or the inability to deny how lavish they look, pleated pants are bck and they’re here to stay — as a matter of fact, some would argue that they never even left.
Time and time again, it’s been proven that staying comfortable and looking stylish can’t coincide, and this well-aged garment is practically walking proof of that — at least once you throw a pair on, anyway. Seeing as the definition of pleats often gets misconstrued, and each brand seems to have its take on the matter, we’ve narrowed down the method’s true meaning and even compiled a guide to the eight best pairs of pleated pants.
What Is A Pleat?
Time To Double Up
Pleats come to shape when clothesmakers gather multiple folds of fabric and sew them into the garment to add more volume, secureness, and style. Ever since their conception (as we know them to be) in the 1920s, the fashion-forward method has been trendy, mundane, and then trendy again, only to be recognized as one of the more common styles in formal attire.
Pleated pants provide much more freedom of movement than your average bottoms, as they provide extra room in the thigh and leg area that will ultimately lessen creasing. In contrast to flat-front trousers, pleats are noticeable in the rise of the pants and provide a flowing, luxurious look to them. That’s not to say the average pair of pants can’t be as stylish, but it’s hard to compete with traditional pleats. With that in mind, take a look at which silhouette suits you best in our collection of pleated pants.
UNIQLO Pleated Tapered Pants
UNIQLO is a great brand to consider if you want a pair that you can dress up or down. The Japanese clothier rounds its pleated bottoms out with a wide tapered cut, resulting in a luxurious drape over whatever shoes you have on. More importantly, they’re crafted from a warm blend of polyester, rayon, and spandex, making them stretchy enough to toss on with ease and cozy enough there all autumn long.
J.Crew Classic relaxed fit pleated chino pant
Like anything remotely formal from J.Crew the shopping mall staple’s pleated chinos are hard to overlook at such a low price. It’s safe to say that the brand’s chinos are one of its most beloved pieces, to begin with, so it was only right to take things up a notch with the stylish touch. The pants are crafted using nothing but cotton and fit just like J.Crew’s other pair of Classic Relaxed fit bottoms but with some additional breathing room.
wax London Pleat Trousers
Like most things from Wax London, these trousers are the perfect blend of formal and casual. They are primarily made of sustainable cotton but feature a touch of elastane to give them the perfect amount of stretchiness. As an added showcase of the boutique’s eco-cognizance, it implemented corozo nut buttons as opposed to the standard use of plastic, which is a far more responsible alternative.
Knickerbocker Twill Double Pleat Pant
As its name entails, Knickerbocker is based in New York, and these flowing bottoms are versatile enough to rock on any street in the Big Apple — or anywhere else, for that matter. They have a semi-brushed 300g cotton twill makeup that has a sturdy structure and fits like a charm. Lastly, the pants rounded out with a traditional four-pocket styling and talon zipper fly. While people say not to wear white after Labor Day, there’s no room for error here.
Noah Classic Double-Pleat Herringbone Pant
Noah’s fluid blend of traditional streetwear and preppy formal attire always churns out a trusty look, and the Double-Pleat Herringbone Pant is no different. The brand’s take on the quintessential pants is made with Japanese cotton herringbone that’s built to last and retain its shape over time. They are available in a utilitarian shade of green or a deep navy.
Todd Snyder Italian Cotton Gurkha Trouser
Like anything from Todd Snyder, these vintage-inspired pants embrace the timeless elements of menswear. They are inspired by vintage British military-styled bottoms down to the unique handful and even feature a self-belted waist for easy adjustability. For the sake of style and comfort, they’re double plated, deeming them even roomier than the standard pair of pleated pants. Most importantly, they are lightweight enough to help you comfortably tackle the end of the summer.
Drake’s Pleated Cotton Drill Pants
When it comes to formalwear, Drake’s is one of the key brands to keep an eye out for — at least if you’re willing to pay top dollar. The premium brand’s Italian-made Pleated Cotton Drill pants are cut from sturdy cotton drill and finished with single front pleats. Ideally, this is the perfect pair to wear if you have a blazer to match, but they will work just fine on their own.
Brunello Cucinelli Pleated Cotton-Blend Twill Chinos
Brunello Cucinelli sits at the helm of premium sartorial fashion, and these pleated cotton twill chinos are an upscale take on the garment at hand. They are sewn in Solomeo, Italy then finished off with buffalo horn buttons for enhanced durability. Whether you want to wear them with sneakers, boots, or loafers, it’s bound to look good regardless.
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