Pants - Pleated or Flat

[Luis]

What do you guys prefer?
I wear em both but I'm liking pleated with cuffs more for some reason.
Is one more vintage than the other? I don't really follow what's trending and could care less. I'd rather look more vintage than what's in style at the moment.

 

[Grayland]

Flat, usually with cuffs.

 

[The Good]

I prefer flat-front with no cuffs, but I do have two pleated trousers with cuffs (one vintage early '60s wool, part of a suit, and one in cotton by Lands' End). Both pleated and flat-front pants could look vintage, depending on the rest of what one is wearing, or if you'd like, they could look modern and forward looking. I like to think that elements of vintage styles are capable of being seen as forward-thinking once again, much like tie clips (or also ties themselves), nicer shoes/boots, suits (generally shabby, but they're suits), and fedoras/trilbies/homburgs have come back a little more within recent years.

There would seem to be certain decades that had more clear favorites, in the pleated vs. flat-front debate. I think pleats were quite fashionable and common during the Golden Era, as well as before and after that in certain years.

 

[Two Types]

I like pleats quite simply because they are more flattering to my body shape. One of the reasons I don't really consider buying American suits is that all too often they either don't have pleats or the pleats face outwards (i.e. the wrong direction, from a European point of view).
Another reason I like pleats is that it allows a fullness to the upper trouser which can be continued throughout the leg to allow a wider trouser. Trying to get a wider leg without pleats can mean the trouser appears flared - which is a look I do not like.

 

[tropicalbob]

I've always thought pleats look great with someone who is tall and thin, on average guys not so great, and on shorter guys (especially with a belly) never. Thoughts, anyone?

 

[herringbonekid]

pleats are arguably more appropriate on a guy with a belly, because the extra fabric allows a graceful fall from the widest point down, unlike a flat front trouser which creates an 'undercliff' effect.

this is assuming we're talking about wide legged trousers which fall from the natural waist.

 

[WideBrimm]

Pleats with cuffs for me. I just think they look better on me, and I like the look.

 

[RW Observer]

My pants usually have to meet a certain criteria, they have to be pleated, creased and cuffed and should be a bit roomier/baggier.

It's just a style I really like, and it's all that I wear, by now I must have accumulated about 20 pairs of pants like that.

 

[TheSundayTraveler]

I prefer cuffed, solid color trousers with a double pleat. I sometimes will wear high-wasted trousers with my three piece ****s as well.

 

[highway66blues]

Flat.
Uncreased.
Cuff 'em if need be.
Mine are all work clothes anyhow, well 'cept for the suit I have & those trousers are flat, too.

 

[kyboots]

pleats with cuffs

 

[dh66]

I like pleats, especially single pleats, on pants made from a nice drape-y fabric, but prefer flat front for chinos. The fabric is too stiff and pooches out funny if pleated. I prefer all my pants cuffed.

 

[LuvMyMan]

Aside from some blue jeans, all my Husbands trousers are pleats and cuffs with inside fasteners for braces. About half of those trousers have what is called a fish tail back on the upper edge of the waist band, and most are high waist.