Runway To Real Way: Pretty In Pleats!

Contrary to what some may say, just because we are in the doldrums of winter, it does not mean we can’t still feel pretty. Though it can seem tough, when we’re burdened down with layer after cumbersome layer, pretty pieces should still be tucked underneath, waiting for a moment to be revealed. And in this ongoing pursuit of pretty, we found ourselves turning to one of the most popular trends we could find on the Winter 2017 runways: perky and (perfectly pretty) pleats!

Half refinement/half flirt, the pleatis totally what you make of it. Gone are the days of the starched school girl skirts, pleats these days can be downright edgy. Don’t believe me? Check out Diesel Black Gold’s take on the trend, zipped and short and shimmering with attitude to spare. We immediately wanted our pleats to exude the same sense of sexy, and were perfectly pleased by this black and white cut out option from ps by paul smith.

A pleated skirt is pretty much the bread and butter of pretty and this season brimmed with options ranging from sophisticated to sleek. We decided to shake things up, as we often tend to do, by picking a metallic shade in a peek-a-boo, at the knee-length. Inspired by the scintillating 70’s glam of the Valentino show, we wanted our pleats long and lean, while still showing a safe amount of skin. Our old fast fashion friend Bebe came through with a crisp and clean silver shade that we can easily see ourselves doing the hustle in all year long.

YES! I LOOK FORWARD TO #GROWINGYOUNGER

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Speaking of repurposing pleats for other season, we’re already looking toward how we can use the trend in the warm weather months. The gorgeous cascading purple fabric of Roksanda’s collection had us pining for something pleated in pastel. Raey’s sleeveless maxi in a similar silhouette can be belted and tucked under a cardigan for a head-turning look now, then set free in the summer for your own cascade of sumptuous purple fabric.

And we couldn’t possibly wrap up a winter pleated story without at least the scant mention of pants. Just like the obsolete school girl skirt, the pleated pant from stiff pantsuits of yore is no longer your go to style. High-waited, cropped and in to die for fabrics like leather are the name of the game today. We wanted the structure of the leather pleating seen throughout Mugler’s Fall/Winter 2017 collection but in a pant we could get on board with. We needed not look further than tailoring wizards Proenza Schouler for a leather pleated culotte in a gorgeous rust color that would no doubt be worth every cent of the investment.

Short Black Dress
Runway: Diesel Black Gold
Real Way: ps by paul smith Pleated Silk Dress, $463.99

Metallic Skirt
Runway: Valentino
Real Way: Bebe Metallic Pleated Skirt, now $74.99

Purple Long Dress
Runway: Roksanda
Real Way: Raey Pleated knot-shoulder Dress, now $204

Leather Pleats
Runway: Mugler
Real Way: Proenza Schouler Leather Pleat Culotte, now $512

– Alia Rajput

Image Layout: Fountain Of 30

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