A fold in the fabric allowing for extra room in a garment.

The crease in pleated and cellular fabric that ensures uniform folding.

A deep fold pressed into the fabric and stitched in place. Decorative and practical, a pleat opens out to allow extra room to move in—like with a skirt—or to put things in—like with a pocket. There are all sorts of pleats, each with a special name for all sorts of shapes, such as accordion, box, cartridge, inverted and knife pleats

A fold in fabric that is either inverted or folded outward, is not sewn except on the top edge (as in a skirt or slacks waistband), and provides decorative or functional fullness.