Pleated trousers add room through the thigh while keeping a clean, straight line — the fit rule is balance: fuller leg below, neat top half above. This guide is built around the Mortlake Men’s Wide Leg Pleated Trousers (£59.00) at WARDLEY London, in Stone, Black and Charcoal, sizes S to XXL.
- Product: Mortlake Men’s Wide Leg Pleated Trousers — £59.00
- Fit: wide fit, front pleat, full-length straight leg · sizes S–XXL · size up between sizes
- Colours: Stone, Black, Charcoal
- Pairs with: Aldwych knitted polo (£49.00) · Kensington ribbed henley (£59.00) · Belgrave quarter-zip (£59.00)
- Free tracked UK delivery · 30-day returns
Pleated trousers give you more room through the thigh than a flat-front trouser, while still falling in a clean line. The trick is balance: when the leg is fuller, keep the top half closer to the body. This guide covers what pleats do, how pleated trousers should fit and five outfits you can build around the Mortlake Men's Wide Leg Pleated Trousers (£59.00).
What are pleated trousers?
Pleated trousers have a fold of fabric at the front, just below the waistband. The pleat opens slightly when you sit or walk, which adds room through the hips and thigh without making the whole trouser baggy. It also creates a vertical line down the front of the leg.
The Mortlake has a front pleat and a wide, straight leg, cut full length in a lightweight fabric with stretch that drapes. The pleat adds room through the thigh while the leg falls straight, so the volume looks deliberate. It comes in Stone, Black and Charcoal.
How should pleated trousers fit?
- Waist: the waistband should sit securely without needing a belt pulled tight.
- Pleats: they should lie mostly flat when you stand. If they pull open, the trousers are too tight through the waist or seat.
- Leg: the fabric should fall from the thigh rather than cling.
- Length: avoid a hem that bunches heavily over your shoes, because it breaks up the line the pleat creates.
The Mortlake is a wide fit in sizes S to XXL. If you are between sizes, size up for a more relaxed fit. The size guide has the measurements.
The rule: fitted on top, fuller below
A wide pleated trouser looks intentional when the top half is neat. A knitted polo, a ribbed henley or a tucked-in shirt shows off the waistband and keeps the proportions balanced. An oversized hoodie or a long, loose top over a wide leg tends to make the whole outfit look shapeless.
5 pleated trouser outfits for men
1. Knitted polo and loafers
The easiest smart-casual pairing. Wear Stone Mortlakes with the Aldwych Men's Fine Knit Three-Button Polo (£59.00) in Black or Chocolate, and suede-look loafers from your wardrobe. The Aldwych is a slim fit, so it balances the wide leg.
2. Ribbed henley for dinner
The Kensington Men's Ribbed Knit Henley (£59.00) is slim through the body and sleeve, which makes it a natural partner for a wide trouser. Try Oat or Oxblood with Charcoal Mortlakes and loafers.
3. Tucked shirt for the office
Tuck the Moorgate Men's Stretch Non-Iron Shirt (£49.00) in White or Light Blue into Black or Charcoal Mortlakes. Tucking shows the pleat and waistband, and the slim shirt keeps the outline clean. Finish with clean low-top trainers or loafers.
4. Quarter-zip in cooler weather
The Belgrave Men's Quarter-Zip Jumper - Slim Ribbed (£59.00) is cut close through the body, so it sits neatly at the waist of a wide trouser. Navy Belgrave with Stone Mortlakes is an easy autumn combination.
5. Roll neck and overcoat for winter
For colder days, pair Black or Charcoal Mortlakes with the Marylebone Men's Roll Neck Jumper - Slim Ribbed (£59.00) and the Hampstead Men's Longline Overcoat. The slim roll neck adds no bulk at the waist, and the longline coat continues the long vertical line of the trousers.
Which colour first?
- Stone: the most relaxed. Good with navy, black, chocolate and oat tops.
- Charcoal: the most versatile, from the office to dinner.
- Black: sharp in the evening, and easy with black, white and oat.
Pleats for summer
The same styling idea works with pleated shorts you already own: balance the fuller leg with a knitted polo. For current full-length options, browse men’s pleated trousers.
Common pleated trouser mistakes
- Buying a waist that is too tight, so the pleats pull open.
- Letting the hem stack heavily over the shoe.
- Pairing a very wide leg with an equally oversized top.
- Covering the waistband with a long, untucked top when the pleat is the main feature.
Frequently asked questions
Can you wear trainers with pleated trousers?
Yes. Clean, low-profile trainers make pleated trousers feel more modern, especially with a knitted polo or a tee.
Do pleated trousers make you look wider?
Not if they fit well. When the pleats lie flat and the top half is neat, they add room through the thigh while keeping a clean vertical line.
What size should I take in the Mortlake?
It is a wide fit in sizes S to XXL. If you are between sizes, size up for a more relaxed fit.
Shop men's pleated trousers or browse all men's trousers.
For the general rules behind these pleat-specific checks — rise, seat and leg line on any cut — see the trousers fit guide.
With the fit settled, wearing pleated trousers builds the outfits.
Pleats are one route through the trouser drawer — for the full picture, our guide to the best men's trousers compares ten styles by fit, fabric and price, pleated and flat-fronted alike.
