Pleats Forever
Pleats are as iconic as they are functional; a pillar of tailoring that’s having a real moment right now. Not only did we help start the trend — we love styling our favorite Dockers® Vintage pleated khakis in modern yet slightly unexpected ways.
The pleats we’re familiar with today originated in the ‘20s and ‘30s, when people started playing with the volume of their pants through sewing z-shaped folds. The resulting silhouette changed style forever: trousers that were as stylish as they were functional. They offered their wearer a greater range of movement while striking the perfect balance of polished and easy-to-wear. From surfers and skaters to collegiate types and professionals, pleated khakis — new then and on-trend today — became an endlessly adaptable pillar of American style.
In terms of fit, we like to wear our pleated pants oversized. When the pleats don’t tug, their drape is especially smooth, creating a vertical line that’s flattering on a bunch of different body types. They also look best when worn at your natural waist instead of at the hip — this helps give them more drape and helps you avoid that billowy, balloon-like shape. Finally, we love to play with contrast when wearing pleated khakis – more volume in the seat looks especially cool and modern when cropped.
A Forever Icon
While pleats may currently be on-trend, they’ll always be a staple, seamlessly combining utility with versatility. This forever icon will never go out of style, because there’s nothing cooler or more relevant than clothing that is functional, effortless and iconic.