Homme Plissé Issey Miyake Pleated Trousers vs Zara Oversize Pleated Trousers
The ultimate pleated trousers.
The Homme Plissé Issey Miyake straight leg trousers have been on my wishlist for years. I’ve tried them on countless times only to ultimately return them to their hanger and be left for someone else. Whilst in recent years they’ve become easier to find, there was a time where good alternatives to these Japanese trousers were simply non-existent. Thankfully times have changed. In this post I will compare the iconic trouser to the significantly cheaper Zara alternative. I have left links for both pairs at the bottom of this post.
First things first, the Issey Miyake variant come in at £280 retail, almost 10x that of the £30 Zara retail (with the Zara pair currently on sale for just £13!). The Zara pair are currently out of stock, however sizes are restocked on a daily basis. I ended up purchasing a size 3 in the Issey Miyake’s and bought M-XL in the Zara trousers in order to provide the fairest comparison.
On first impression they are both very impressive. The Homme Plissé are as good as you’d imagine a £280 pair of trousers to be, whilst the Zara are very impressive for the price. Both are a deep jet black, although the Zara pair are ever so slightly shinier in comparison. The dimensions of cheap alternatives usually unsettle me, due to fast-fashion brands rarely replicating the desired fit, however Zara absolutely smashed it. The dimensions of the large Zara pair were near identical to the Homme Plissé and overall seemed very promising.
On body the Homme Plissé continue to impress. The fit is absolutely perfect, whilst the construction is just as good. It is worth noting that the Zara pair are not as stretchy on the waist (although they come with draw strings), as well as not being as heavy weight or rigid. Regardless, both pairs sit very nicely on shoes with the Homme Plissé looking slightly better. The quality of the Zara trousers pleasantly surprised me, alongside just about everything else they offered. The construction was good, they flowed nicely and the fit was excellent. All very promising. They both go with absolutely everything, from trainers to derbys. They can be worn dressed up, or more casually- however you see fit.
Now for the final verdict, which pair should you buy?
If I’m being honest, I ended up keeping both pairs. For the price the Zara pair are unbeatable and replicate the aesthetic and look great- they are the perfect alternative. I would recommend everyone to buy the Zara pair first, irrespective of your budget. They’re an all-round great pair of trousers and If you find yourself wearing them regularly you can always upgrade to the Homme Plissé pair. Ultimately both pairs are great and this is one of the few occasions I would recommend the cheaper alternative to first time buyers. Personally, I kept my Zara pair as an everyday trouser that I can wear and not need to worry about, whether thats for daily use or for going out in the evening. I also absolutely love the Homme Plissé pair and wear them out for dinners and more formal occasions.
I hope you enjoyed this post. Feel free to contact me via email and subscribe for future content!
understatedawe@gmail.com
https://www.zara.com/uk/en/oversize-pleated-trousers-p08288654.html?v1=89530967
https://www.brownsfashion.com/uk/shopping/basics-plisse-straight-leg-trousers-15486236