Tailoring & Construction
A pleat is a fold of fabric, doubled back and pressed or stitched in place, that adds controlled fullness to a garment. On trousers, pleats at the waist give room through the hip and thigh; on skirts and dresses, repeated pleats create volume, structure, and movement while keeping the waist neat.
Common types include knife pleats (all folded one direction), box pleats (folded away from each other), and inverted pleats. Trouser pleats can face inward or outward and number one or two per side.
Pleats are a core shaping tool alongside darts, used heavily on pleated skirts and classic tailored trousers for comfort and drape.
Download TRYSHOP and preview pleat styles on a photo of yourself before you buy — so you know it suits you, not just the model.
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