Pleated Pants & Trousers Are On Trend for Winter 2025: Honest & Unsponsored Best Buys

Yes, pleated trousers are absolutely on trend for winter 2025, with sharp centre pleating and ultra-wide-leg silhouettes dominating the runways from Carolina Herrera to Stella McCartney. After years of slim-fit dominance, fashion has swung decisively towards relaxed tailoring with structure, and pleats are the detail that's elevating everything from office trousers to weekend chinos. I've spent the past fortnight testing pleated styles across every price point, and I'm here to tell you exactly which ones are worth your money—no sponsored nonsense, just honest recommendations from someone who's been styling women for over a decade.

Why Pleated Trousers Are Having Their Moment

The pleated trouser revival isn't just another fleeting trend—it's a response to how we want to dress now. After years of restrictive silhouettes, we're craving comfort without sacrificing polish. The genius of pleats is that they add volume and movement whilst maintaining a tailored line. They're forgiving on the body, flattering on various shapes, and supremely versatile. You can dress them down with trainers and a cashmere jumper or up with heels and a silk blouse for evening.

This season, the key details are crisp pleating down the centre (think sharp creases, not soft gathers), high waists, and wide legs that puddle slightly at the ankle. Brown is surprisingly outselling black this winter, with rich chocolate, warm beige, and camel leading the charge. Velvet pleated trousers are also making a luxe statement for evening wear.

How to Style Pleated Trousers This Winter

The secret to nailing pleated trousers is balance. Because the trousers have volume, you'll want to pair them with more fitted tops. A tucked-in ribbed knit, a slim-fit shirt, or a cropped jumper all work beautifully. For proportions, go for a slight crop or tuck to define your waist—this stops the look feeling overwhelming.

Footwear-wise, loafers and ballet flats are my go-to for daytime, whilst pointed-toe boots elongate the leg beautifully. If you're petite, stick to single pleats rather than double, and ensure the break at the ankle isn't too severe. Taller women can absolutely embrace the full puddle effect that's trending.

The Best High Street Pleated Trousers

Budget-Friendly Winners (Under £60)

Uniqlo remains unbeatable for quality-to-price ratio. Their pleated wide-leg trousers are a steal, and you can get the inseam altered in-store for just £5. The fabric holds its shape beautifully, and they come in versatile neutrals. I've had mine for two seasons and they still look fresh.

H&M has surprisingly stepped up their tailoring game. Look for their premium line—the pleated trousers in heavyweight cotton twill are far superior to their standard range. They're offering rich brown and navy options that feel much more expensive than the £35 price tag suggests.

Mango is absolutely nailing the wide-leg pleated trouser trend. Their cut is incredibly flattering, with a high waist that doesn't gape and pleats that sit perfectly. The camel and cream options are particularly covetable. At around £50, they're phenomenal value.

Zara always catches trends early, and their pleated trouser selection is extensive. The key is being selective—avoid anything too thin or synthetic. Go for their wool-blend options in classic colours. The fit can be hit-or-miss, so do try before buying if possible.

Premium High Street (£60-£150)

COS is where I send clients who want Scandi minimalism without the luxury price point. Their wide-leg pleated trousers are genuinely exceptional—beautiful drape, quality fabrication, and that effortlessly cool aesthetic COS does so well. The navy and charcoal grey options are wardrobe workhorses.

Massimo Dutti offers a more polished, corporate-leaning aesthetic. Their pinstripe pleated trousers are particularly stunning—subtle enough for the office but interesting enough to feel current. The single-button waistband detail is beautifully refined.

Whistles creates pleated trousers that bridge smart and casual perfectly. Their corduroy pleated styles in deep forest green and chocolate brown are particularly lovely for winter. The quality of stitching and finish is noticeably superior at this price point.

Reiss leans more premium but occasionally hits the £150 mark in sales. Their tailoring is consistently excellent—expect sharp pleats, quality lining, and fabrics that move beautifully. Perfect if you need trousers that work for client meetings but also weekend lunches.

Jigsaw often gets overlooked, but their pleated trousers are reliably well-cut with interesting details. Look for their linen-blend options if you're after something that works across seasons, or their wool styles for pure winter wear.

Independent & Unique Finds

Velasca, a Milanese label, offers one of the best pleated trouser collections I've encountered. They do both single and double pleats, with lightweight linen for transitional weather and smart wool for winter. The quality is outstanding, prices are reasonable for what you're getting (around £120-180), and they ship to the UK. Proper Italian tailoring without the luxury markup.

LESTRANGE is a London-based certified B-Corp that's doing something genuinely different. Their '24 Trouser' in pleated options combines the comfort of loungewear with tailored lines—there's a hidden elasticated waistband that's absolute genius. Made from natural, well-sourced materials like merino wool, they also offer a repair service. Around £140-160, but they're investment pieces you'll wear for years.

Luxury & Designer Options

If you're investing in a designer pair, Max Mara is where I'd put my money. Their Denaro pleated wool straight-leg trousers are consistently recommended by every stylist I know. The cut is perfection, the fabric is sumptuous, and they'll last a decade. Around £400, but the cost-per-wear makes sense.

The Row makes pleated trousers for the woman who wants ultimate luxury and absolutely zero fuss. Clean lines, impeccable tailoring, beautiful drape. Expect to pay £600+, but you're buying into the best fabrication and construction money can buy.

What to Avoid

Steer clear of overly synthetic fabrics—they'll look cheap regardless of the cut. Pleats need body and structure, which polyester simply can't deliver. Also avoid pleated trousers that are too tight through the thigh—this defeats the entire point and creates unflattering pulling across the pleats.

Getting the Perfect Fit with Tellar

Here's where things get brilliant: finding your exact size across all these brands used to mean endless fitting room frustration. I've lost count of how many times I've been a size 10 in one shop and a 14 in another. That's where Tellar.co.uk becomes genuinely game-changing.

Tellar is the UK's leading sizing tool that matches your body exactly to over 1,500 brands instantly. You measure once—using your bust, waist, hip, or even your existing brand size—then use their Store Size Lookup tool to get your precise size in any brand. COS, Reiss, Mango, Zara—whatever you're shopping, you'll know exactly which size to order before you click 'buy'.

It's completely free, works in your browser (no downloads needed), and honestly, it's eliminated about 80% of my online returns. For pleated trousers especially, where fit is everything, knowing you're ordering the right size first time is invaluable.

More Style Resources

The Tellar Fashion Hub is an absolute treasure trove of honest, unbiased style advice—all completely free. It's like having a stylist on tap. If you're building your winter wardrobe, I'd particularly recommend:

• The Ultimate Clothing Sizing Guide—essential reading for understanding how different brands cut their sizes

• Jeans Trends 2026—because you'll need denim to balance all these elegant trousers

• Ultimate Guide to Jackets & Best Buys—perfect for styling with your new pleated trousers

Final Thoughts

Pleated trousers aren't going anywhere—they've moved beyond trend status into wardrobe essential territory. Whether you invest in a luxe Max Mara pair or start with Uniqlo's excellent budget option, the key is choosing quality fabrication and a cut that flatters your proportions. This is one of those rare trends that genuinely works for everyone, regardless of age, size, or personal style. Embrace the pleat, enjoy the comfort, and trust me—you'll wonder how you ever lived without them.