The term “drape” generally refers to the way a fabric hangs in soft, loose folds. For men’s suits, drape trousers feature asymmetric pleating and a tapered leg. A draped trouser looks perfect when paired with a cropped tee.
The style originated in the 1930s with the “drape suit”, a generously cut fashion that was softer and more flexible in construction than previous men’s suits. The extra fabric, light padding, fuller sleeves and tapered waist resulted in folds – “drapes” – that created the illusion of broad shoulders and a V-shaped chest.
Drape trousers follow the same principle, applied to the lower body and legs. Drape trousers are relatively baggy, high-waisted and pleated.