At this particular moment, I may or may not be wearing pants at all. That’s not relevant to this discussion. I’m interested in the SDMB community’s position on pleats. Yes or no?
Possible up side to pleats: slimming effect, accent to slow and interest the observer’s eye, reduced dick print.
Possible down side: tent effect while sitting, business that bores the observer’s eye, reduced dick print.
I’m quite thin, so I’m not concerned much with appearing any more slender, but I do like the more interesting lines provided by well-kept loose cloth which draw in deeper the wonderment at my beauty. At the same time, I can certainly appreciate the smooth, sleek appearance of flat front trousers which allows any observer to appreciate the overall glory of my well dressed body without hesitating for a moment to carefully examine seemingly contrived details of my adornment.
I’m torn. Since I’m due for a visit to my haberdasher in the near future, I need to make a decision. Buying ten of everything really isn’t my style.
Wadaya think?
[sub]Note: If anyone requires a less weighty and consequential topic, I’ll be happy to describe my toenails in great detail.[/sub]
Pleats are bad for several reasons. As you stated above, the tent effect is unsightly. In addition to that, the tent effect, although primarily pronounced while sitting, is also evident while standing–poofy crotches look silly. One must also consider the additional handiwork required when ironing. This factor may prove to be detrimental in the morning if one has not yet had enough coffee. Pertaining to dick print, go for pleats if you’re looking to hide it. Pleats are so very busy.
IMHO, pleats are the most gruesome atrocity the fashion industry ever invented. aside from the afore mentioned ironing annoyance, i think pleats usually make people look bulkier and chunky, and not in a flattering way. i place pleats in the same category as elastic waist bands.
sigh What? Was I suppose to answer? Oh, sorry. I just love to read it, any time he posts.
I would, knowing you as I do, suggest chainmail, but that is not the question at hand. To pleat or not to pleat.
For me, it comes down to this. Do you need to pleat? No? Then do not. If you are slim and need no further slimming,refrain from pleating.
Nothing looks better on a slim man than a well-fit pair of pants/jeans with a shirt tucked in. It is a glorious sight to behold.
Me? You could wear nothing but a strategically-placed placemat and I’d be happy. I just love the way you post.
Personally, I like pleats. I think they look a little dressier than the average bear and dress the average bear up a little.
Pair of pleated khakis and some loafers…yum.
Most women (that I know of) don’t pay too much attention to the whole dick print anyway. We know if you’re happy to see us regardless if you’re wearing pleats or not.
My dearest struuter, there are aspects of my body the description of which you might enjoy more than of my toenails. Heed not that cretin, Nen. We all sense the jealousy of my toenails that burns in his heart and, sometimes, embarrassingly, his loins.
Thank you, BunnyGirl, for putting the effect of dick print into appropriate perspective. However, I think we may need to address your habit of putting pants on bears. That seems to me a hobby wrought with danger – and also downright weird.
I seem to be taking a totally different tack here- I think pleats work much better on thinner men. Larger guys with pleats look like they’re trying to hide it. Male muumuu?
Course, it depends on the pants. Pleats make dress slacks look dressier, khakis look misshapen, cords look pretentious.
I rather like dress pants pleated, as long as the wearer is fairly tall and slim. Khakis pleated…only if the wearer is not only thin, but has a really great butt & loins that would have made Mother Theresa drool.
Other trouser modes should definitely be unpleated. And anyone wearing pleated jeans should be stripped naked on the spot.
Dick print?..Ahh. Leave it to the power of imagination, that’s much sexier.
Ah, but these things do go in and out of vogue. Plain-front pants are so much more stylish.
I prefer plain-fronts for khakis, etc. They make men look more manly.
My dear brother Billdo really does look better in pleats, though. (not in jeans, of course) My lovely husband prefers pleats in regular khakis, but lately has taken more to wearing Patagonia plain-fronts and Carhartts. I am pleased with this development.
Tymp, if you have no “figure flaws” to speak of, I would say definitely go plain-front.
I’ve always liked pleats - it just depends on the cut of the trouser, and the figure of the person wearing the trouser. The trouser has to be loose but not too loose. In other words, it has to be designed well, and for the right kind of body.
For some reason, I think of Bruce Willis in “Moonlighting”. He wore businessy clothes in that show, including pleated trousers. He always looked fabulous in them. A gentle pleat in the front, gently snug in the back, showing off his firm tush - aaahh. Very flattering. Sigh.
Pleats should only be worn by people on whom they actually pleat. But if they do pleat on you, by all means, wear them. It does look dressier and more elegant, especially in dress slacks.
See? Now, this is exactly my problem. The tendency, as evidenced by the replies to this thread, is to avoid pleats at all cost as useless, distracting adornment of questionable functionality. Meanwhile, there are still opinions that would justify pleated pants as a means to accent my clothes, making them dressier and more fitting compliment to my extraordinary grace and elegance. What is a Tymp to do?
racerx: Is there ever possible a flattering use of “chunky” and “bulky”?
