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There are many ways to add detail and decoration to a fabric — you can embroider, sew in sequins, add laces, and more. But perhaps one of the simplest and most iconic ways of altering fabric is by adding pleats. Pleats look great in many different dresses, and they can turn otherwise plain fabric into something more eye-catching without needing extra materials.
Pleated dresses are often worn during summer and warmer seasons, especially ones with shorter length, but that doesn’t mean you can’t wear them any time of the year. So no matter what your intended purpose is for the skirt, you can definitely find situations where they’ll be the ideal dress to wear. Here are some of the top pleated dresses for 2024.
Comparing the Top Pleated Dress of 2024 in Detail
Woosea — Best Overall
It is often said that simpler is better, and this is definitely the case with Woosea’s cocktail dress. Made out of pure polyester with an elastic enclosure, this stylish and comfortable dress has beautiful pleats that run from your mid-waist all the way down to your knees. At a mini length, it’s great for casual wear, and it can be worn without a belt, too. This simple and elegant look is ideal for warm days and when you just want to move around without anything restricting you. It only comes in one color, though. So unless you’re a big fan of white, you may need to explore other options. The functionality and style of this product helped us judge it as the best overall on this list.
Pros
- Very simple and minimal design
- Pleats begin from the mid-waist
- Made out of pure polyester
Cons
- Only available in one color
Verwin — Most Formal
Long-sleeved dresses are a popular option for people who want to look more modest and show less skin. This is common with church dresses, of course, but they’re also often worn more casually in general. Long-sleeved dresses such as this one by Verwin are also very appealing to look at thanks to the designs printed on the fabric. This particular set features floral decorations, a classic choice that makes it wearable in many different scenarios. It does look a little old-fashioned, though, so keep that in mind if you’re wearing this to any public event.
Pros
- Classic-floral design
- Long-sleeved dress at midi length
- Very elegant and modest
Cons
- A little old-fashioned
Iymoo — Perfect for Summer
Sundresses are the perfect summer outfit, and this particular sundress is something you’ll definitely want to wear on summer vacations. The sundress collection by Iymoo has quite a few options to choose from. You have a rose-red dress, a multicolored dress, a rainbow-like patterned version, and more. Though they are called sundresses and definitely fit the bill, they can feel a little hot if it is humid enough, so prepare accordingly.
Pros
- Elegant sundress with pleats throughout
- Many colorways and variations
- Pull-on closure
Cons
- Can feel a little hot inside due to its size
Milumia — Best for Belts
Women’s belts work differently compared to men’s. While men’s belts are almost always used to hold up a pair of shorts or pants, women’s belts can just as often be intended for decorative purposes only. Alternatively, they can also serve a unique purpose for dresses — keeping the dress close to your body. Some dresses, including many pleated versions, don’t have natural curves on them, and you’ll need something like a belt to make sure it hugs your waist. This belted dress by Milumia is a great example of this, with a matching belt that looks great when paired with a pleated-midi dress.
Pros
- Pleated-midi dress with sleeves
- Comes with a belt that matches the color
- Very loose and comfortable
Cons
- Hand wash only
Ellames — Elite Design
Spaghetti-strap dresses are the closest thing you can get to strapless dresses without having to deal with a tighter chest. While there are still straps holding the dress in place, they’re small and thin enough to allow you to show off your shoulders without issue. This set of midi dresses comes in many designs and colorways, and the dress is naturally straight too, so you can use a belt to add contours to your dress if you want to. This option is made completely out of breathable polyester, allowing you to stay cool even during the middle of a hot summer day.
Pros
- Cooling, polyester fabric
- Straight pleats from top to bottom
- Can be worn with or without a belt
Cons
- Looks somewhat plain without the matching belt
How To Find Your Next Pleated Dress: A Buyer’s Guide
A simple, pleated dress can do wonders for your daily outfits. Here’s some things you should know about pleated dresses.
What Is a Pleated Dress?
A pleated dress is, in essence, a dress with pleats on it. Most pleated dresses will have pleats on the skirt, and some will have the pleats all over the dress. Generally, a pleated dress is either mini or midi length, though maxi-pleated dresses do exist. Other than the presence of pleats, there’s no strict definition, so any dress type or shape counts as a pleated dress as long as there are pleats on it.
Pleats vs. Frills vs. Ruffles
There’s a bit of confusion about the difference between pleats, frills, and ruffles, and the answer is that there isn’t one — they’re all, for the most part, the same. Brands may use different terms for specific things, such as pleats referring to larger folds and ruffles referring to smaller, more concentrated folds. For all intents and purposes though, all three terms refer to the same process of gathering fabric on one side to create folds on the other.
The Different Lengths of Pleated Dresses
Mini pleatedÂ
Mini-pleated dresses are dresses with short skirts that don’t reach knee level. These dresses will often have thick and noticeable frills to really accentuate the look of the skirt. Mini-pleated dresses are also very easy to wear due to their size, making them very comfortable and usable for casual gatherings and get-togethers.
Midi pleatedÂ
Midi-pleated dresses are a little longer than their mini counterparts. As the name suggests, they are longer than knee-length, and they’re particularly useful for wearing in business and semiformal settings since they cover knees. Midi-pleated dresses are also used as an alternative to mini-pleated versions, they are more modest in appearance, perfect for people who prefer that style of clothing.
Maxi pleatedÂ
Maxi-pleated dresses aren’t very common, but they do exist, and they look incredible when worn in the right situations. You will often spot maxi-pleated dresses by the beach or at beachside resorts, they’re very comfortable to wear and offer plenty of breathing room. The frills of maxi-pleated dresses can either run from the skirt alone or from the top to the bottom of a dress.
What To Look For in a Pleated Dress
The right length
We went into detail about the different types of pleated dresses according to length, and it’s important to figure this out before buying one. Choosing a particular length will allow you to wear a dress in certain scenarios while making it unusable in others (for example, a maxi-pleated dress may not be seen much in urban settings compared to something like a mini-pleated dress).Â
Pleat design
Not all dress pleats look the same. Are the pleats thick or thin? Do they come from the top of the dress or the middle? Are they straight or curved? Are they made up of the same fabric as the rest of the dress? These little differences can change the way a dress looks, and while it may be difficult to find a good combination, it’s entirely subjective, so take your time and pick something that really speaks to you.
Comfort
One of the main advantages of a pleated dress is that, unlike other dresses, they’re generally pretty comfortable. Pleated skirts don’t usually wrap around your body tightly, and even if they do it doesn’t feel nearly as restricting as something like a bodycon dress.Â
Not all pleated dresses are equally comfortable, though. For example, shorter dresses may feel comfier than longer ones since your legs won’t be covered by as much fabric. Figure out what you prefer feeling — exposed skin or fabric — and think about how warm you may feel when wearing a dress.
