Traditionally, pleating was used to make room in tighter fitting clothes but now it’s used as a design accent. It’s great for giving you more fullness in skirts and dresses and even some blouses. I don’t want to bore you with the terminology of all the types of pleating but, you’ll see more traditional uses of knife and accordion pleating in today’s fashions. Here are a few of my favourite pleated picks:

Pleats give a little more life to this ordinary tank top from www.shopnastygal.com, $38.

This is a must have item for S/S 2011 and I don’t care where you get it from, but be sure to get the look somewhere. A high-waisted full pleated skirt either in a maxi or 3/4 length like this one from www.clubmonaco.com, $125.

Combine the two and what do you get? A dress of course! Imagine yourself in this relaxed and easy pleated dress by Haute Hippie from www.ssense.com, $755.

Like a little piece of art, Sondra Robert’s pleated box clutch steals my heart. The pleat work is fanned from the center and ornamented with a distinctive pyramid gem clasp. www.nordstrom.com, $90.

Sunny Shum, Footwear Buyer for Sterling Shoes Inc, Blogger & Your Industry Insider | Follow me @partly_sunny

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