Pleated Pants Are Taking Over—Shop These Styles to Elevate Your Whole Look
Listen, I've never really been a "trouser" person, but there's one trend out there that's been swaying me recently. Two words: pleated pants. The tailored, menswear-inspired look is really having a moment, and the pants come in all sorts of silhouettes, so you can find exactly what speaks to you. There are breezy wide-leg ones for summer or fall-ready corduroy designs, and even if you're more of a denim fan, there are stylish pleated jeans in the mix too. The best part about them is that although they might seem dressy because of the tailored details, they can be super casual too, especially in materials like cotton and linen. Basically, they look just as good with a T-shirt and sandals as they do with a blazer and high heels.
Here, I rounded up 31 of the best pleated pants in a wide range of styles to give you plenty of options. Like me, you might be pleasantly surprised to find how versatile they can be. Add any of the below to your wardrobe to channel a whole new effortlessly chic aesthetic.
Add a sleek belt to take this pair to a whole new level.
Available in sizes 0-24, these stylish pants come in so many other shades.
And to fully get ahead on your autumnal shopping, just casually dropping this pleated corduroy pair here.
These will definitely make a statement when you walk into the room.
A pair of jeans with a faded, already worn-in look can be hard to come by.
A dressier occasion calls for pleated satin pants—and a matching triangle bralette and blazer, obviously.
Don't miss out on this lightweight linen pair while it's on sale!
A paper-bag waist with the pleats in the front is a classic look, but the light wash and cuffed hems keeps these looking casual.
The contrasting white button makes these pleated pants feel more special.
Proof that linen can be fancy! A pinstriped blazer with coordinating pleated pants is a powerful look.
Alex Mill makes some of the best pleated pants out there. These have a slight crop and a loose fit for an effortless vibe.
The extra side slit at the hem combined with the matching belt make these a stunning pair.
You can never go wrong with cropped wide-leg pants in the summertime.
Pools of fabric by your feet are trending! Say hello to these satin pleated puddle pants.
And here are some pleated puddle jeans if you prefer to stick to denim.
The placement of these belt loops on this vivid green pair are *chef's kiss.*
A neutral pair of pleated trousers will be the most versatile piece in your closet, trust me.
Take a cue from this whole look to style your next summer outfit with pleated pants.
Opt for a dark gray pair with a belt and sneakers for a menswear-inspired ensemble.
The pleats on these jeans are more subtle because of the super-light wash, but they're there—promise.
Consider this your official sign that you need to add a pair of pleated chino pants to your wardrobe.
At almost 50% off, don't sleep on this light-wash style from editor-favorite brand Agolde.
Cargo and pleated pants? It's two trends in one!
If you're willing to invest, you should definitely consider this Khaite pair.
Next: I'm in a Relationship With Wide-Leg Pants—Skinny Jeans Are the Collateral Damage
Lauren Adhav is a freelance fashion editor based in Los Angeles. Originally from Orlando, Florida, she always wanted to work at a fashion magazine. After finally getting an internship at Town Country in 2015, she moved to New York City and continued to get her footing in the industry with stints at Cosmopolitan, W magazine, Harper's Bazaar, and Moda Operandi. In 2017, she returned to Cosmo full time, starting off as the beauty and fashion editorial assistant and working her way to fashion editor. She contributed to both the website and print issues, pitching new ideas, forecasting trends, covering red carpet events, and informing the overall coverage and brand voice. After five years in NYC, she moved to the West Coast for the sunshine and the change of pace. As a freelance fashion editor, she still contributes to Cosmo and nowBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing . She's always trying to get ahead of the next big trend before it goes mainstream and loves discovering fashion brands with a unique point of view (Chopova Lowena, Sandy Liang, and Bode being some of her current favorites). She also spends an unhealthy amount of time online shopping for the perfect piece, and now that she's in L.A., she's rediscovering her soft spot for malls. On the weekends, you can find her walking around the Silver Lake Reservoir, trying to catch up on her tan at Venice Beach, and probably ordering a Chinese chicken salad at Joan's on Third.
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