[Matt S]

I think we should all just talk about the history of the pleated pant to explain the difference. To start very simply:

English - forward pleats
Italian - reverse pleats
American - flat front

This is what these are traditionall associated with, but now the English do every thing, the Americans do mostly reverse pleats and flat front as do the Italians.

 

[Matt S]

Esquire: "A Compendium of Pants." April 1962

Pleats Trouser fronts are either plain-fronted or single- or double-pleated; the double-pleat is, for the most part, limited to tradition preserving custom tailors. While the single-pleat is still, by far, the most popular, the trimmer look of pleatless trousers is continually gaining favor and is de rigueur for the younger man and the natural shoulder enthusiast. Sport slacks, especially are going the way of no pleats (though the less-confining pleated models are preferred by many active sportsmen: e.g. golfers). While pleats - contrary to popular conceptions- will not hide a pot, they will give a heavier-set man more room through the front. The choice, therefore, depends on comfort and the look a man wishes to achieve.

Very interesting. From movies and television in the 60's, I remember many more flat fronts and double pleats than single. Do you know if they are referring to forward or reverse pleats?