Flat-front vs. single pleats vs. double pleats on dress pants?

Interface · Oct 23, 2008

Greetings.

What are your thoughts on flat-fronts vs. single pleats vs. double pleats on dress pants?

Here, single pleats means one pleat on each side; and double pleats means having two pleats on each side (two of the pleats having a bit less "height" and being in between the "higher" pleats and the pockets).

Personally I love pleats. And I like double pleats more than single pleats just by the looks, even though I currently only have single-pleated pants. My plan is to buy myself double-pleated pants sooner than later.

For dress pants I just don't like flat-fronts. Well, I don't mind other people wearing them, but when wearing flat-fronts myself I always feel like there is something missing there. For some reasons I have always found pleated pants to be more comfortable.

Again, I'm only talking about dress pants here. Not "casuals."

Share your thoughts please.

Regards,
Interface.

brn2drive · Oct 23, 2008

I prefer to wear non-pleated pants for both suit pants and regular dress pants. I don't mind the one pleat because it adds a nice shape to the pants but pleats are just not for me.

I think they're outdated but then again it depends on who you are, I'm in my mid 20's and feel out of style with 2-pleat pants.

yo! · Oct 23, 2008

Good luck with this one... if anyone on this website admits to wearing non flat front pants they risk being disbarred of all SF privileges.

unpainted huffheinz · Oct 23, 2008

Originally Posted by yo!

Good luck with this one... if anyone on this website admits to wearing non flat front pants they risk being disbarred of all SF privileges.

It would be easier to ban the noobs who make sweeping stupid statements though.

Cary Grant · Oct 23, 2008

Flatfronts are my preference.

aleeboy · Oct 23, 2008

I wear pleated khakis for a more casual look. Oh yeah... in my opinion, pleated pants look better on guys with a bigger build.

englanderjk · Oct 23, 2008

Like the flats but they don't work for everyone. Even with the proper symmetry/proportions you still have to watch out for pocket flairing. I do prefer them over pleats but one should have balance here as in all aspect of dress.

(Renaissance...Savoir Faire Style)

Nantucket Red · Oct 23, 2008

I always get my trousers made with double pleats. They're simply more functional than flat-fonts.

A few flat-front suit trousers I had years ago squeezed my equipment and gave me a distinctly unflattering dickless look. That was enough to put me off flat-fronts. Now that I've gone bespoke, I might reconsider.

aleeboy · Oct 23, 2008

Originally Posted by Nantucket Red

A few flat-front suit trousers I had years ago squeezed my equipment and gave me a distinctly unflattering dickless look.

Very well put... disturbing images

dshin · Oct 23, 2008

I prefer flat fronts...90% of my pants are FF. I have a few that are single pleats. I found in the past that if I wear pleated pands, especially double, my crotch area would balloon up when I sit down and I couldnt stand it. I think this was b/c I tend to wear my pants a little on the low side, a couple inches under my belly button.

Originally Posted by aleeboy

I wear pleated khakis for a more casual look. Oh yeah... in my opinion, pleated pants look better on guys with a bigger build.

IMHO I think the opposite is true. I think they look better on tall slimmer guys who wear their pants high. There is no ballooning of the pleats and they drape very well.

I think they look the worst on people who have a bit of a belly and cant wear their pants higher ont he waist...because the stomach pushes the front waist of the pants down, there is a bunching of the pleats that draws even more attention to their stomachs.

aleeboy · Oct 24, 2008

Originally Posted by dshin

IMHO I think the opposite is true. I think they look better on tall slimmer guys who wear their pants high. There is no ballooning of the pleats and they drape very well.

I think they look the worst on people who have a bit of a belly and cant wear their pants higher ont he waist...because the stomach pushes the front waist of the pants down, there is a bunching of the pleats that draws even more attention to their stomachs.

When I see skinny guys wearing pleated pants, it just looks so wrong. Especially the ones with narrow shoulders and of a small frame (doesn't mean they're short). Kind of looks like a pole with a tyre around the waist, if you get what I mean.

When I mentioned bigger build, I'm talking about guys with fuller thighs, butts, and upper body to balance the build-up of material that pleats create.

dshin · Oct 24, 2008

Originally Posted by aleeboy

When I see skinny guys wearing pleated pants, it just looks so wrong. Especially the ones with narrow shoulders and of a small frame (doesn't mean they're short). Kind of looks like a pole with a tyre around the waist, if you get what I mean.

When I mentioned bigger build, I'm talking about guys with fuller thighs, butts, and upper body to balance the build-up of material that pleats create.

I know what you mean...but the tire effect I think occurs when the pants sit low on the waist. And this bunching effect doesnt look good whether you are skinny, fat, bigger build, etc...

Happydayz · Oct 24, 2008

the ballooning effect need not happen with double pleated pants. I've seen this happen on a pair I own so it's not just my body type that is immune. But I do have a Hickey Freeman madison-cut suit with double pleats and it looks fine when I sit.

I think this goes back to individual fit - not all double pleats are bad, not all flat fronts look slimming.

Nashville · Oct 24, 2008

I wear them both, but in my future purchases im buying all flat fronts, I have enough pleats

JeffsWood · Oct 24, 2008

I am down to 2 pairs of pleated (single pleat) pants. All types have there place, but I wear 90% FF. The problem with many pleated pants is they are too full, but I have no problem with pleated pants witha slimmer cut.

Flat-front vs. single pleats vs. double pleats on dress pants?

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