For years, men's fashion has evolved toward cleaner lines and more tailored silhouettes. While pleated trousers were once the standard, flat front pants have become the preferred choice for many modern wardrobes because they create a streamlined, contemporary appearance.
That doesn't mean pleated trousers have disappeared. The right choice depends on your body type, personal style, and how you plan to wear your clothing.
(Yester-year) (Today)
Today, men's suits have become much for form fitting, leaving out the excess, unnecessary fabric and showing off much more of a man's figure. In another segment we'll highlight a proper jacket fit, but today's topic focuses on the lower half.
Pleats of Flat-front?
We asked one of our reps about 5 years ago whether they sold more pleated slacks or flat front. He said that about 75% of their business was pleated slacks. Today however, that same rep says that they sell about 85% flat-front, a total 180 from 5 years ago but why?
As men's clothing has become more body conscious, so have slacks. When looking for a new pair of pants, we suggest trying some
flat-front
pants on and seeing the amazing difference that they will make in your shape. Flat-fronts remove extra fabric pleated slacks have and make your hips and thighs look so much slimmer. They are clean, sleek and absolutely the way to go.
If, however, you do have a little more "junk in the trunk" and need the room, find a pleated slack that will allow for just enough room without too much excess fabric exaggerating your leg size.
Slack Break
Another common question is the break, or ending point, of your pants. If you look at the image above, different breaks are shown. This picture excellently portrays our next suggestion:
a shorter break
. If you look at the difference between the top picture and the bottom picture, you'll see how much cleaner your slacks will look the shorter the break is. You don't want to go too short but we suggest the pants to stop anywhere between the top of your shoes and the middle of your shoes.
A shorter break will clean up any unwanted baggy effect that a longer break may be causing, and will actually make you look taller and slimmer!
When to Choose Flat Front Pants
Flat front trousers offer a clean profile and work well for business, weddings, and everyday professional wear. Because they eliminate extra fabric across the front of the pants, they often create a slimmer, more modern silhouette.
When Pleated Pants Make Sense
Pleated trousers can provide additional room through the hips and thighs, making them a comfortable option for some body types. Modern pleated pants are typically more refined than older styles, with smaller pleats and a tailored fit that avoids unnecessary bulk.
Understanding Pant Break
The "break" refers to how your trousers rest on your shoes. A shorter break creates a cleaner, more contemporary appearance, while a full break offers a more traditional look.
Most modern tailoring favors a slight break, allowing the trousers to lightly touch the top of the shoe without excessive bunching. This creates a balanced look that helps elongate the legs and complements today's slimmer suit silhouettes.
Find the Right Fit
At UWM Men's Shop, we help every client choose trousers that complement their build, lifestyle, and personal preferences. Whether you prefer flat front or pleated pants, proper tailoring is the key to achieving a polished, confident appearance.
Shop online at shoputahwoolenmills.com