pleated

Pleated is an adjective describing material that has been folded into a series of regular, narrow creases or folds. In textiles, pleats are created by folding fabric and securing it at regular intervals, producing a structured texture that can add volume, movement, or modesty. Pleats can be permanent when stitched or fused, or semi-permanent when the fabric is pressed or manufactured to hold its shape.

Common pleat styles include knife pleats (a single sharp fold all in one direction), box pleats (paired folds facing in opposite directions that create a flat front panel), inverted pleats (a central fold folded inward and tucked behind the outer fabric), and accordion or rain-pleats (narrow, evenly spaced pleats that expand like an accordion).

Pleating is widely used in fashion, especially in skirts, dresses, and tailored trousers, and in kilts or national costumes. It also appears in window treatments, upholstery, and architectural design as decorative or shading elements. Some technical fabrics, such as metal foils or plastically pleated materials, are used in industrial or automotive contexts.

Care varies by fabric but generally requires gentle handling to preserve pleats. Fabrics with permanent pleats may require occasional steaming or light ironing with a pressing cloth, following manufacturer recommendations; avoid high heat and crushing storage. Some pleated garments are designed to be hung or stored flat; others may be re-pressed as needed.

Pleating has ancient origins in various cultures and was widely used in Western fashion from the medieval era onward. The development of machine-made pleats in the 19th and 20th centuries expanded accessibility, leading to a wide range of ready-to-wear pleated designs.