Skirt Pleats
Pleats are folds pressed or stitched into a skirt to add shape, movement and volume. This hub explains the main pleat types so a product name tells you how a skirt will hang and move. Browse women's skirts (/collections/womens-skirts-shorts).
Pressed pleats
Knife Pleat
Sharp, one-direction pleats all facing the same way.
What defines it
Knife pleats are narrow, crisply pressed folds that all face the same direction round the skirt, giving a clean, uniform line.
Where you see it
You see them on classic pleated and school-style skirts. Browse women's skirts (/collections/womens-skirts-shorts).
Box Pleat
Pleats folded away from each other to form flat boxes.
What defines it
A box pleat has two folds turned away from each other so the fabric sits flat in a box shape, adding structured fullness.
Where you see it
You see them on tailored and A-line skirts wanting body without cling.
Inverted Pleat
Pleats folded towards each other to meet in the centre.
What defines it
An inverted pleat is a box pleat in reverse, with the folds turned inwards to meet, hiding the fullness until you move.
Where you see it
You see them at the centre front or back of straight and tailored skirts.
Accordion Pleat
Narrow, even zig-zag pleats like a concertina.
What defines it
Accordion pleats are tight, uniform folds pressed the full length so the skirt opens and closes like a concertina as you move.
Where you see it
You see them on floaty midi and maxi skirts.
Soft and shaped pleats
Sunburst Pleat
Pleats that fan out wider towards the hem.
What defines it
Sunburst, or sunray, pleats are narrow at the waist and widen towards the hem, radiating out like the rays of the sun.
Where you see it
You see them on flared occasion and evening skirts. Browse women's skirts (/collections/womens-skirts-shorts).
Kick Pleat
A short pleat at the hem that lets a narrow skirt move.
What defines it
A kick pleat is a single short pleat, usually at the back hem of a straight or pencil skirt, letting you walk without the seam straining.
Where you see it
You see it on pencil and straight tailored skirts.
Pressed Pleat
Any pleat set with a sharp, permanent crease.
What defines it
A pressed pleat is heat-set so the fold holds a crisp edge, keeping its shape between washes.
Where you see it
You see it on formal and tailored pleated skirts.
Unpressed Pleat
A pleat left soft with no pressed crease.
What defines it
An unpressed pleat is stitched at the waist but left to fall softly with no sharp edge, giving gentle drape rather than crispness.
Where you see it
You see it on relaxed, flowing skirts.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between knife and box pleats?
Knife pleats are narrow folds that all face the same direction, giving a uniform look. Box pleats have pairs of folds turned away from each other to sit flat in a box shape, adding more structured fullness. Knife pleats read sharper, box pleats fuller.
What is a kick pleat for?
A kick pleat is a short pleat, usually at the back hem of a narrow pencil or straight skirt. It lets you take a normal stride without the seam pulling or splitting, so it is a practical detail rather than a decorative one.
Do pleated skirts need special care?
Pressed pleats hold best if you wash on a gentle cycle, hang to dry and avoid overloading the machine. Many pleated skirts in synthetic fabrics keep their folds permanently, while natural fabrics may need light re-pressing.