Pleated trousers are making a menswear comeback

As unassuming as the pleat may seem, it's a cruel mistress

What you wear on your legs can require just as much thought as what you wear on your torso (Cos)

Fashion isn't an exact science so it doesn't take a rocket scientist to guess that when the mania for skinny narrow trousers is on the wane their replacement is going to be the roomier wide legged alternative.

Veering from one extreme to another is what the fashion industry does best; it is nothing if not predictable.

Nevertheless, and putting that predictability factor aside, it's still a relief to say good riddance to that unforgiving silhouette, especially if you were never a slim hipped type of man to begin with.

But adopting the latest trouser shape is not necessarily foolproof either, especially if there's the addition of a pleat, that little nip of fabric found at the top of your pair of trousers, just underneath the waistband.

As unassuming as the pleat may seem, it's a cruel mistress, deceptively adding extra inches to your waist line, even if you've been blessed with wash board abs.

Which is why the relaxed camp collar shirt turns out to be the perfect accompaniment when wearing pleated trousers; because these shirts are cut with a square hem that sits on the waist, there's no tucking in to be done thereby ensuring that the pleat doesn't become the sole focus of attention.

All of this just goes to show, that occasionally what you wear on your legs can require just as much thought as what you wear on your torso.

Yes, pleated trousers may have something of a bad rep but when worn correctly they're more than happy to tow the sartorial line.