A Guide to Men's Khakis: Pleated or Flat Front
The khaki pant may not have been invented in Charleston, but it was perfected here. At Berle, we offer a full line of trousers for men, including Tailored Trousers, Casual Khakis, and our classic Charleston Khakis. But we don't stop there. To help you get the perfect style for you, we also offer pleated and non-pleated khakis in all of our styles. Note that non-pleated pants are also referred to as flat front.
Shop today, and learn more about the differences between these two styles below!
Dress Khakis
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Wool Trousers
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Performance Khakis
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Pleated vs. Flat Front Khakis
Our famous khaki pants come in two essential styles: pleated and flat front. So what’s the difference, and why should it matter to you? Here's what you need to know.
Flat Front vs Pleated
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Pleated Khakis
Pleated pants have a higher rise with extra fabric in the “middle” of the pant. This gives you a little more wiggle room below the belly button if you require a more generous fit. That isn’t to say that thinner men can’t wear them too—but if you do, try to keep them as part of a suit. It’s better not to wear them with a casual polo shirt.
Non-Pleated Khakis (Flat Front)
Non-pleated, or flat front pants, are a little more straightforward. They offer a slimmer, simple silhouette without the crinkling of the pleated pants. They’re still appropriate to wear with suits (and weddings), but they offer more versatility when it comes to dressing these pants down, as well. Flat front Charleston khakis combined with an oxford-cloth button down shirt can make great a great “business casual” uniform at the office, as well.
Colors: When & Where?
You’ll note that our khakis are available in many colors. So when can you wear each specific color, and what colors go best with each edition of the Charleston?
Nantucket Reds: This pale red, salmon-y color goes well with white and navy blues, usually with brown dress shoes to match a brown leather belt. You can dress these up with a blue blazer and tie for a wedding or dress them down with a simple navy polo for a weekend look.
White: You can do just about anything with white. Like the Nantucket Reds, it works well with navy blues and browns, though green, light blue, red, and more can work well with white. Black is sometimes too strong a contrast, and less appropriate for the summer season. Conventional wisdom says “no white after Labor Day,” but if the sun’s still out, who’s to tell you not to wear white?
Traditional khaki: The traditional khaki color has many forms, but treat it as a light brown or tan color when it comes to pairings. It works well with black and charcoal blazers (for dressing up), and though white also works as a pairing, you usually need an extra splash of color in the summer months.