Sunday, 20 May 2012

Pleats, Please

Definition: A pleat (older plait) is a type of fold formed by doubling fabric back upon itself and securing it in place. It is commonly used in clothing and upholstery to gather a wide piece of fabric to a narrower circumference.
There are different types of pleats you may come across, most popular pleats are the knife, accordion or the superfine crystal pleats. When pleats are worked in lightweight fabric, it creates a volume without bulk so the figure issue is minimized- one of the many reasons why I'm obsessed with pleated skirts and dresses.
The knife pleats cater for a wide market range, offering versatility and adaptability across all seasons. It can be updated by layering and altering the length of the hem which is quite commercial (the high-low hem). Pleats also work well in metallic's if you want to focus on a more sophisticated look- the pleated skirt in midi length is a key item for winter season.

Pictures shown are from Candicelake.com, WGSN, Topshop, Zara

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