To pleat or not to pleat...

[TussAgee11]

Came home from college, put on the trousers, plate pants don't fit well. Now, when I first bought these pants, I didn't know a lot of the things I know now. First impressions, uniform, shine your damn shoes, etc.

But I still don't have an answer to pleat, or no pleat. Seems like everybody in the association has something different.

Used the search feature and did not find anything definitive.

Should be some quick answers, thanks ya'll.

[JRutledge]

All the new pants I bought in the last few years have been pleated. I like the fit.

Peace

[UmpJM]

Tuss,

Umpire fashion etiquette is (so far) an eternally elusive subject to me.

Some knowledgeable on the subject suggest that pleats "just aren't done". Others find them preferable.

Personally, I believe it depends on one's build and posture.

All of my umpire pants have pleats. My build is to the "taller, thinner" side, and my posture is impeccable.

Go with what looks best on you.

JMO.

JM

[Welpe]

Originally Posted by UmpJM (nee CoachJM)

Tuss,

Umpire fashion etiquette

Isn't that an oxymoron?

Go with what looks best on you.

I think that sums it up best. I have both pleated and flat front dress trousers for work and they all seem to fit well. For umpiring, I prefer a flat front trouser as they seem more appropriate to ME as a uniform.

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by UmpJM (nee CoachJM)

Go with what looks best on you.

Ay, there's the rub.

The good news is that it's a judgment call.

[jicecone]

[QUOTE=Welpe]Isn't that an oxymoron?

May just be however, I have seen the dress of some officials that just made them look like, well lets just say "oxy" did not preceed the word.

My recommendation, just BE NEAT all the time because first impressions do mean something.

(Just dont ruin it by blowing the first pitch)

[Tim C]

There is a vast difference between "fashion" and "umpire fashion."

Never will they meet.

Pleated pants are the disdain of the fashion aware experts.

They really don't work for anyone (as JM said "tall and thin" might work).

But this isn't the real world.

We are dictated to style as shown by a group of MLB umpires that have forced us through Red Blazers (with MAROON belts), button up shirts with long collars OUTSIDE the lapels of the jacket (think NL umpires headed to the disco), and other styles that WOULD NEVER be considered passable in real fashion situations.

What occurs that is concerning is that suppliers (Davis & Honigs) have ONLY pleated pants in poly wool.

That is a shame.

In closing:

I do not have one item of umpire wear that could be worn in ANY real world situation.

Regards,

[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

My personal choice is the "zoot suit with the reat pleat," .


But seriously as been previously stated whether you choice to pleat or not pleat is a personal choice. I first pleated with my basketball officiating pants and then my umpiring pants went pleated too. I didn't think I would like pleated pants but I think they look better that anything I have ever worn.

MTD, Sr.

[JRutledge]

I don't know Tim. I think I have seen some colorful stuff in the 70s and 80s that umpires could have worn to many social events.

Peace

[ozzy6900]

Come, on Tim! You mean to tell me that those blazers with the big wide collars sticking out like John Travolta weren't a chick magnet?

[LMan]

Originally Posted by mbyron

Ay, there's the rub.

The good news is that it's a judgment call.

..and judgment calls cannot be appealed

[Welpe]

Originally Posted by LMan

..and judgment calls cannot be appealed

Oh come on, you've gotta go for help on that one!

[LMan]

Originally Posted by Welpe

Oh come on, you've gotta go for help on that one!

points to the BU "Did he pleat???"

[jkumpire]

Originally Posted by TussAgee11

Came home from college, put on the trousers, plate pants don't fit well. Now, when I first bought these pants, I didn't know a lot of the things I know now. First impressions, uniform, shine your damn shoes, etc.

But I still don't have an answer to pleat, or no pleat. Seems like everybody in the association has something different.

Used the search feature and did not find anything definitive.

Should be some quick answers, thanks ya'll.

Don't wear pleats with high heels.

Does that help?

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by jkumpire

Don't wear pleats with high heels.

Does that help?

I'll go one better: Don't wear pleats if you have a fat midsection. They look hideous on big guys.

As JM said, tall and thin seems to work okay for the pleated pant.