Tuck Everlasting

14, Sep, 2011

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“Oh, uh, it’s the pleats… the pleats in the pants. It’s an optical illusion. I was just about to take them back… to the pants store. Oh this is embarrassing.” Uttered by the man himself, Will Ferrell from Anchorman, being completely ri-goddam-diculous whilst wheeling himself across the newsroom blaming all and sundry on his poor pleats. Pleaticulous as Will may be, it was Liv Tyler’s pleated wrap skirt that spurred it all, in what my life’s soundtrack should be like in a movie; Empire Records. Say No More, Mon Amour!

All this pleat banter is making me fleetingly proud of the list of pleat-puns I have conjured up in the process, so I shall shuffle ‘em up and scatter them across my glorious words – amused? Oh for pleat sake! Tuck in will ya…

The Pleat ripples through this season once again, finally shrugging off its old girly image. Before this, our immediate association was that only catholic school girls and grannies would dare the crease. Reinvented; they are now sashaying and swooshing back ‘n forth through the 70s trend, the 50s trend, the sheer, nude and even the big cahoonah stripe trend. So? Step up to the pleat! Let’s all burn holes in our soles and swirl around repleatedly in these flowy pleated pleasures… ‘Tis fun, I promise.

The term ‘average’ should only ever feature when referring to ones height. True to form, I belong to that standard girl height realm, and should never wear a long skirt even if it is for pleats and giggles…so naturally, the thought of a long pleated skirt should make me sweat more than a tender curry. As with many structured looks (ie: high waisted pants) – the uncertainty of it will linger for a while, poke, prod, tease, and attempt to persuade you that it just isn’t right for you. I pleat you not; us mere mortals can make this trend look effortlessly beautiful too. Concerned shape watchers and size measurers – bite your twisted tongue!  Your get outta’ frump free card lies in constantly remembering that even though pleats may hold the nasty ability to create extra volume and bulkiness – you need not worry if you just take hold of the balance and proportion of your outfit. Pleaty please remember thine decree! Proportion and Balance is, err, key.

 

Pleat Sir, can I have some more?
Gimme long, gimme cascading, gimme slinky silhouettes, the long skirt prevails! I bypass the long cotton ones and head straight for the less clingy pleated maxi skirts. They really do ebb and flow, beautifully. Introduce yourself to the maxi-pleat by getting your proportions right. There are no rules here, only guidelines for optimal options. Seeing as though we still have weather whiplash, and spring is being all slutty, teasing us unfairly ‘n stuff – team with a fine knit, a t-shirt, a fitted buttoned up shirt, nothing floaty - float on float doesn’t work for the bod and it’ll also detract from what should be the focal point – the skirt. It’s so versatile that you can incorporate several different trends into one single outfit, making a statement without too much effort - a dream! Wear with socks and brogues, boots, or even top it off with cosy layers and fitted jackets which will show the pleated gown flowing out from underneath - easypleatsy.

 

Behind the Pleated Curtain.
An outfit that’s been mixed and put together with added dollops of taste and style is the only kind you should be exploring. Taste is a huuuuge factor when attempting the sheer pleated skirt. Call me cah-razy, but I tend not to want to flash my bare bottom to strangers on the streets. (kay maybe sometimes I’ll feel the urge) The ultimate ingredient: one part feminine and one part edgy. You can granny-fy by buying a slip from Woolies or try these other tricks I’ve pulled from my proverbial vintage sleeve.
- Wear a fitted mini skirt underneath
- Opt for a striped or even floral fitted skirt under a light coloured sheer pleated one, this will add a layer of depth to your ensemble

…If you are on to the last salticrack of the month, use a stretchy tube top as your mini skirt double.

Pop that Pleat.
Colour block, shmalotherblock… I’ve heard this term a ga-gagg-illion times, but I’ll allow it once more, (for the love of pleats). Go toward bright popping colours that are filtered into Sunray pleating, which are cleaner, crisper and more symmetrical folds that radiate like the warm fuzzy rays of the sun at the edge of a garment. This detail goes hand in hand with the 70’s style boom, bang on the CB trend, and obviously – the brighter the mightier. Pop it and lock it down this season, but if the thought of primary colours crashing all over your body gives you night terrors, then opt for one blindingly bright item paired with neutral shades. This is chic and springy without being stuffy or over femi-fied.

Move to the pleat.
Wake up and smell the roses…and the lilies…and the poppies.. and the… Big and bold florals are wafting through women’s wardrobes yet again. Aim for painterly prints and oriental florals instead of perennial messy ditsy ones. Even the floral-phobic fashion-wise will be persuaded with a printed pleat! Printed Knife pleat styles with wider waistbands and panels are kinder for a normal bodied lady – this is because the pleating will then start a little lower, thus giving the illusion of a neater and slimmer silhouette.

What a com-pleat-ly diverse little buggah, who has survived the fashion times and tribulations. Now go and perve over that pleat, it’ll be your best rebound yet!

Article By: Lior Phillips