Pleats are the secret miracle workers of the fashion industry. These guys can change the silhouette of a garment, make something more figure-flattering and add a whole lotta visual interest to an outfit. While we’ve already professed our adoration of accordion pleats, there are a ton more players in this pleat-filled game (box, knife and penny, to name a few). Here are 17 fabulous ways for you to fall in love with ’em all.
1. Pleated Midi Skirt in Floral Print ($77): This cheery floral midi would be great for a fun summer outing. We’re lovin’ the color scheme of this outfit.
2. Sweet Pleats Shorts ($23): When was the last time you saw an adult look this good in a skort? That’s right, we’re reviving this childhood trend.
3. Skater Dress With Pleats in Geo Jacquard ($61): This vintage print combined with the collared style just screams ’50s. Someone, please throw a Mad Men viewing party and wear this to it.
4. Inverted-Pleat Tulip Skirt ($69): Remember how we said pleats can totally change the silhouette of a garment? This whimsical tulip skirt is all the proof you need.
5. Skater Dress With Pleated Skirt ($77): Light and breezy dresses like this one are all that we want to wear during this time of year. We’d definitely pair this with a fresh flower crown.
6. Loosen Up Pants ($78): Oh, man! Just when we thought it couldn’t get any better, we discovered these billowy pleated pants. Tuck in a cute blouse and you could absolutely wear these to work.
7. Midi Skirt With Bold Pleats ($58): This simple skirt is an excellent way to add a pop of color to an outfit. We’d wear it exactly like this. See? A good crop top can be classy.
8. Crepe Shorts With Pleat Front ($113): Orange is absolutely a hot color this summer. These shorts could easily be dressed up with a tucked in blouse and a nice structured blazer.
9. Saya Shorts in Print ($61): It’s a little bit hard to tell because of the awesome print, but these shorts are extremely pleated. As in, they’re completely made of pleated fabric.
10. Accordion Pleated Maxi Dress ($120): Speaking of things made completely from pleats… how is it possible for a dress to be sostylish and comfortable at the same time?
11. Vintage in Shape Shorts ($128): Let’s take a trip back to the ’80s, shall we? We’re seriously crushin’ on everything this outfit has to offer, from these fantastic shorts to those metallic sandals.
12. Pleated Keyhole Blouse ($50): We seem to keep mentioning cute blouses when talking about work wardrobes, so you might want to add this to yours. That keyhole cutout is the perfect cherry on top.
13. Big Box Pleat Skirt ($157): What an ideal skirt for New Years! Although, we’ll probably end up wearing it many, many times before that. Sometimes, all you need is a single pleat (and a little gold).
14. Scuba Skater Skirt in Blue ($27): This simple blue skirt won us over within the first seconds of us seeing it. There’s just something so appealing about that pastel shade.
15. Skirt With Origami Pleat ($23): Forget boring box pleats, check out this origami pleat! We need to see lots more of these.
16. Garden Party Jacquard Dress ($73): Wait, sorry. We still love box pleats. If not worn to a garden party, this dress would be well-suited for a daytime wedding.
17. Pleated Maxi Skirt ($67): We’re huge color fanatics at Brit HQ, so skirts like this one really excite us. Maxi skirts just mean that we get to see even more of our favorite colors!
Which pleated garment are you totally obsessed with right now? Tell us in the comments below!
It can be intimidating to step out on your own and build a business from the ground up. As part of our collaboration with Office Depot, we're talking with Selfmade alum and solopreneur Colette Lawrence, the faith-based motivator and relationship builder behind The M.E.E. Movement, about ways in which women in business can find success.
B + C: How did you know M.E.E. Movement was your business to start?
The M.E.E Movement represents motivation, empowerment, and encouragement for women. It is what represents me. I did not know at first that it was my business to start, but then the thought of monetizing what I loved came to me. It scared me, however. I registered the business in July 2020 and have been slowly building my wings since.
B + C: What's one strategy that's helped you start your business?
Thinking through and researching what the requirements are to start my business, and then asking questions of people who are in the business. Not all advice worked; however, it helped me to figure out what I needed to do and not to do.
B + C: Did you always know life coaching would be your entrepreneurial path?
(Smiles) No, I did not. I 'stumbled" on it. I knew that people were always coming to me for advice and I found that I loved having conversations with them, especially with women, young and old.
B + C: What was your most valuable takeaway from Selfmade?
My most valuable takeaway was the first day of training: Get out of your own way. There were a lot of great moments and important takeaways from every presenter. However, getting out of my own way, pushing past doubts, was for me my most valuable takeaway. Doing something that I had never done before took courage. If I do not focus on what is happening with me mentally then I cannot deliver to my clients successfully.
B + C: What's one piece of advice you would give to female entrepreneurs on the brink of starting?
Get out of your head. You have something to offer. You have what you need to succeed so go ahead and do it.
B + C: How do you stay motivated?
I stay motivated by listening to music and listening to motivational speakers, and sometimes someone will just reach out and talk about the impact that I made in their life. That adds the extra juice or sauce I need to pummel through the day.
B + C: What's your best organizational tip?
Keep a diary and journal. It's the best way for me to keep organized and it also provides a source motivation as I record not only my "losses" but my wins as well.
B + C: Who inspires you in the entrepreneurial space?
Shirley Toliver – She motivates and empowers and makes me always want to show up.
B + C: What has receiving the Office Depot scholarship to Selfmade done to help you start or grow your business?
The scholarship was a blessing in that all the areas that were covered offered valuable information that I needed, from social media to HR. As a new business owner, I needed to know this to increase my own personal awareness in what it takes to run a successful business. The candidness of the presenters made it easy to see myself in their shoes and helped me to realize that I can also get there.
Thanks Colette! You can follow The M.E.E. Movement on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Want to feel motivated to take the next step for your business? Let Office Depot OfficeMax give you the confidence you need with a suite of business services & solutions to help you put your best foot forward. Make a good first impression with business cards & build the business pitch of your dreams with custom presentations. With Office Depot OfficeMax you'll find the tools to reach new customers with confidence.
Head to Office Depot's Selfmade page to check out even more amazing business resources (and discounts!) to help you accomplish more on your entrepreneurial journey. These offers are available for a limited time only, so be sure to take advantage of all this goodness while supplies last. Want to join the next Selfmade cohort this summer? Check out all of the scholarship details right here.