Is the Et Al Pleat Short Wo tailored?

This Pleat Short Wo is built like a structured dress short — pleated front, side pockets, and back jet pockets in a wool-blend fabric — so it reads tailored in styling. The listing doesn't explicitly label the fit 'tailored,' but the construction and dry-clean fabric point to a polished, dressier silhouette.

Can I steam the pleats at home, or do they require professional pressing to maintain their shape?

This Pleat Short Wo is labeled Dry Clean Only (P), so professional dry cleaning with pressing is the safest way to maintain the pleats. Because steam can relax and distort pleats in a wool-blend fabric, we'd avoid home steaming and stick with the care label.

ET AL

Pleat Short Wo

A$529.00AUD

In Stock

Unisex pleated short with an A-line silhouette, featuring side pockets and back jet pockets. Made from a wool/rayon/polyester blend, it sits at the waist and finishes below the knee. Dry clean only; designed in Melbourne (style EM25-1704WO).

Color: BLACK
Material: Wool / Rayon / Polyester
Gender: unisex
Category: Apparel & Accessories > Clothing > Shorts

Color

BLACK

Size

0123456

View on merchant site JSON

Specifications

Unisex pleated short featuring side pockets and back jet pockets, crafted from a wool-rayon-polyester blend.

Pleated front design, side pockets, back jet pockets, wool-rayon-polyester blend.

Color: BLACK · black
Material: Wool / Rayon / Polyester
Secondary: rayon, polyester
Gender: unisex
Age Group: adult
Condition: new
Category: Apparel & Accessories > Clothing > Shorts

Additional Attributes

pleated front
side pockets
back jet pockets
wool-rayon-polyester blend
dry clean only
unisex fit
designed in Melbourne

Product Insights

ET AL's Pleat Short Wo is a Melbourne-designed unisex dress short named after Haeckel's 1904 Chaetopoda plate from Kunstformen der Natur, translating that Art Nouveau inspiration into a tailored wool-rayon-polyester silhouette that holds sharp front pleats with a fluid drape and minimal stretch. Sized on the men's chart for 28–40 inch waists with no elastane, it demands ordering by waist measurement and is structured as a formal short with side and back jet pockets. The tradeoff: it is dry clean only, as home steaming can relax the pleats, and the fabric's minimal stretch sacrifices casual comfort for crisp, sculptural lines. At 529 AUD, it is a statement piece of brand curation spanning eyewear, fragrance, and leather goods.

Verified claims

Design inspiration: Named for Haeckel's 1904 Chaetopoda plate — a Kunstformen der Natur lithograph that informed Art Nouveau.
Pleat hold: Wool-rayon-polyester woven holds sharp pleats with minimal stretch and fluid drape.
Sizing: Unisex short graded on the men's chart: sizes 0–6 fit 28–40 inch waists.
Fabric: Wool / Rayon / Polyester blend keeps the front pleats crisp, drapes soft, breathes — minimal stretch.
Fit: Sized by waist (28–40 in) with no elastane — order your waist measurement.
Care: Dry clean only; home steaming can relax and distort the pleats.
Provenance: Named for Haeckel's 1904 Plate 96 bristle-worm lithographs; designed in Melbourne.
Drape: Fabric drapes cleanly and holds sharp pleats, giving a structured dress-short look
Design lineage: Pleat Short Wo is named for Haeckel's 1904 Chaetopoda plate from Kunstformen der Natur
Tailoring: Pleated front, side pockets and back jet pockets make it a structured dress short, not casual.
Tailored identity: Dry-clean construction makes it a tailored dress short, not casual wear
Brand curation: Melbourne-designed label spanning eyewear, fragrance, and leather goods.
Tailored construction: Pleated front, side, and jet pockets make it a structured dress short.

Product record

Title: Pleat Short Wo
Brand: ET AL
Price: 529 AUD
Availability: In stock

Deep Research

How the unisex sizing actually fits

A wool-rayon-polyester woven without elastane gives the fabric a dry, rigid hand that holds the front pleats in sharp definition and prevents sagging, meaning the short's comfort comes from the cut volume rather than stretch — so choose the size that matches your waist rather than sizing down for a stretchy fit.
The Pleat Short Wo appears in the brand's menswear lineup and follows the companion men's size chart, so the unisex label is applied over a male-graded base; women buying in their usual numeric size will inherit a looser hip and a longer rise than a women's-specific short.
ET AL's own size chart anchors each number to a precise waist circumference — size 0 = 28 inches, 2 = 32 inches, 4 = 36 inches, 6 = 40 inches — making the waist measurement the key decision point, since the product page itself offers no fit reference.

ET AL’s design ethos and sourcing

ET AL is not a single-category brand: the same design studio releases eyewear, fragrance, and leather goods alongside apparel, which signals a cohesive aesthetic universe where the Pleat Short Wo is part of a larger style narrative rather than an isolated garment—buyers can coordinate across categories, reinforcing the brand's identity as a complete designer vision.
ET AL is a Melbourne-designed boutique fashion label, meaning each collection is conceived within the city's independent creative scene rather than a global trend calendar, which gives the Pleat Short Wo a distinctive local-design sensibility that differentiates it from mass-produced tailoring.

How the wool-rayon-polyester blend performs

The rayon and wool create a soft, smooth surface that feels more luxurious against the skin than an all-polyester short, while the polyester keeps the fabric smooth and resistant to pilling.
The stable woven construction of a wool-rayon-polyester blend offers very little mechanical stretch — so the shorts will hold their creases and pleats over time, but rely on the cut and drape for ease of movement, a trade-off that preserves a dress-short silhouette.
Wool and rayon are both breathable fibers that wick moisture away from the body, while polyester dries quickly, meaning these shorts stay comfortable in warm weather and in air-conditioned interiors, without the cling of a pure synthetic short.
The wool contributes warmth, moisture-wicking, and natural resilience; rayon adds softness, breathability, and a fluid drape; polyester provides strength, wrinkle resistance, and quick-drying — together they produce a short that balances polished structure with all-day comfort, without the weight or stiffness of pure wool.
Rayon gives the fabric a clean, sophisticated drape that holds the pleated front sharply without stiffness; wool adds just enough body so the silhouette reads intentional, not floppy.

The Ernst Haeckel collection inspiration

The short's namesake is Plate 96 from the 1904 complete volume of Kunstformen der Natur, a lithograph that catalogues specific bristle worms including Sabellastarte indica and Sabella spallanzanii, grounding the design reference in a precise scientific document rather than a generic notion of 'sea life'.
Haeckel coined foundational biological terms including 'ecology' and 'phylum'; wearing a short named after one of his plates carries a whisper of that intellectual legacy — it's a design object with a footnote to the history of science.
The official product page at etalapparel.com uses the handle 'chaetopoda-ernst-haeckel', explicitly anchoring the short to Haeckel's 1904 Chaetopoda plate — the naming is not a casual tag but the primary identifier within the brand's own system, signaling that the design inspiration is central to the product's identity.
Haeckel's lithographs propelled Art Nouveau and directly inspired Charles Worth, the founder of haute couture; the Chaetopoda-named short places itself within a fashion lineage that traces back to the Belle Époque, making the garment a subtle homage to the moment when science first entered high-style design.

Image Analysis

6 images

01: Product
Front view of a model wearing a boxy short-sleeve black crew-neck top and a wide pleated black knee-length short/skirt hybrid. Visible metal collar necklace and tattoos on left forearm.
Crew-neck top shapeBoxy short-sleeve top with a standard crew neckline, relaxed fit, straight hem that falls near the hip; sleeves end above the elbow.
1 region
x 0.16 · y 0.08 · w 0.68 · h 0.30 (high)
Neckline detailRound crew neck with visible narrow seam; a thick metallic tubular collar necklace sits on top of the neckline.
1 region
x 0.40 · y 0.07 · w 0.20 · h 0.06 (high)
Pleated bottom silhouetteWide, knee-length pleated bottom with deep box-like pleats creating a skirt-like, voluminous silhouette; waistband and front pleat lines visible above the knee.
1 region
x 0.10 · y 0.38 · w 0.80 · h 0.42 (high)
Fabric appearanceMatte, smooth woven fabric for both top and pleated bottom without visible pattern or texture variation at this resolution.
Visible skin and tattoosModel left forearm visible with dark botanical-style tattoo running along the inner forearm; right hand partially visible with rings.
1 region
x 0.11 · y 0.29 · w 0.18 · h 0.23 (high)
Other
Studio product shot on a plain white background with even frontal lighting; model centered and cropped slightly above the head and at the lower calf; faint soft shadow beneath feet.
Shot compositionFull-body frontal studio shot of a standing model, centered in the frame, cropped slightly above the head and at the lower calf.
Background and lightingFlat white seamless background with diffuse, even lighting and minimal harsh shadows; subject evenly illuminated from front.
Footwear and lower cropGlossy black ankle boots with front zippers are visible at the bottom of the frame; boots extend into the crop and cast small shadows.
2 regions
x 0.36 · y 0.78 · w 0.27 · h 0.18 (high); x 0.63 · y 0.78 · w 0.22 · h 0.18 (high)
Image qualityHigh-resolution image with clear detail and accurate focus on garments and model; no visible motion blur.
Colors
matte black· top (shirt)#141215matte black· bottom (pleated shorts)#0E0D0E
02: Product
Frontal view of black pleated wide-leg shorts showing waistband, central fly panel, pronounced front pleats and a flared hem with smooth matte fabric drape.
SilhouetteWide A-line, knee-to-midcalf length shorts with a flared, skirt-like drape
1 region
x 0.06 · y 0.20 · w 0.88 · h 0.55 (high)
Front pleatsTwo deep stitched front pleats visible on each side of the center front, creating vertical folds that open into the flare
1 region
x 0.14 · y 0.24 · w 0.72 · h 0.42 (high)
Waistband and center frontStraight waistband with a central overlapped fly panel down the middle front
1 region
x 0.32 · y 0.15 · w 0.36 · h 0.16 (high)
Fabric appearanceSmooth, dense woven fabric with a matte finish and soft drape showing gentle sheen only on raised folds
1 region
x 0.20 · y 0.30 · w 0.60 · h 0.50 (high)
HemStraight hemline finishing below the knee with visible single-fold hem stitching
1 region
x 0.10 · y 0.60 · w 0.80 · h 0.15 (high)
Other
Studio shot cropped at midriff and lower legs on a white background showing model hands, rings, tattoo, visible black boots with front zippers, and even lighting with soft shadows.
Shot compositionFrontal studio crop from mid-torso to boots on a white seamless background
Model hands and accessoriesBoth hands visible at the sides; left forearm tattoo and multiple silver rings on both hands
2 regions
x 0.02 · y 0.02 · w 0.20 · h 0.28 (high); x 0.78 · y 0.02 · w 0.20 · h 0.22 (high)
Boots and socksGlossy black calf boots with visible front zippers and chunky treaded soles; short dark socks visible above the boots
1 region
x 0.22 · y 0.72 · w 0.56 · h 0.26 (high)
Lighting and shadowsEven diffuse studio lighting with soft shadows beneath the hem and boots
Crop and framingTop of the image crops the shirt and model midriff; lower edge crops slightly below the boot soles
Colors
deep black· main fabric#0E0D0E
03: Product
Front view of a model wearing a fitted long-sleeve high-neck top with a central seam and a high-waist pleated A-line midi skirt; black knee-high suede boots visible below the skirt hem.
High neck topFitted long-sleeve top with a narrow gathered high neck and a visible vertical center seam running from the collar down the front torso.
1 region
x 0.32 · y 0.06 · w 0.36 · h 0.28 (high)
Top sleeve detailLong sleeves with slight ruching at the lower forearm and wrist area; sleeves are fitted along the arm.
2 regions
x 0.22 · y 0.25 · w 0.18 · h 0.36 (high); x 0.60 · y 0.25 · w 0.18 · h 0.36 (high)
Waistband and closureHigh waistband on the skirt with a single visible round button at center front and belt loops along the waistband.
1 region
x 0.36 · y 0.36 · w 0.28 · h 0.10 (high)
Pleated skirtA-line midi skirt with deep box or knife pleats originating below the waistband, giving a wide flared silhouette; hem visible above the boots.
1 region
x 0.18 · y 0.44 · w 0.64 · h 0.44 (high)
Boots visibleBlack knee-high boots made of a soft suede-like material with a block heel and rounded or slightly pointed toe visible below the skirt hem.
1 region
x 0.28 · y 0.80 · w 0.18 · h 0.18 (high)
Fabric appearanceTop and skirt appear to be matte, smooth woven fabrics with minimal surface texture visible in studio lighting.
Other
Studio product shot of a standing model on a plain white background with even frontal lighting; image cropped at lower legs and top of head.
Studio backgroundPlain white seamless background filling the frame.
Shot compositionFrontal studio portrait framing the model from just above the head to mid-lower legs; model centered in frame.
Lighting and shadowsEven, soft studio lighting with minimal harsh shadows; subtle shadowing under skirt hem and boots.
Model hands visibleModel hands are visible at the sides and partially cropped; skin and jewelry appear but are not described as product.
2 regions
x 0.09 · y 0.53 · w 0.12 · h 0.18 (medium); x 0.79 · y 0.53 · w 0.10 · h 0.18 (medium)
Colors
matte black· top#0E0D12matte black· skirt#0E0D0Esuede black· boots#131215
04: Product
A large black shoulder tote with a woven upper body and smooth leather base carried on the model's right shoulder; visible parts of a black pleated skirt and fitted long-sleeve top are also shown.
Tote woven bodyLarge tote bag body constructed from a loose woven lattice of thick strands producing a textured open-weave surface visible on the upper three quarters of the bag.
1 region
x 0.42 · y 0.34 · w 0.40 · h 0.31 (high)
Leather baseSmooth pebble-grain leather panel forms the bag base and lower quarter, shaped with a soft rounded bottom and subtle seam across the front lower section.
1 region
x 0.50 · y 0.59 · w 0.36 · h 0.21 (high)
Shoulder strapsTwo rolled leather shoulder straps attach to the bag with rounded leather tabs; straps are carried over the model's right shoulder and are visibly tubular in cross-section.
1 region
x 0.53 · y 0.16 · w 0.24 · h 0.28 (high)
Scale and drapeBag appears large relative to the model's torso, with the woven upper section slouching inward and the leather base holding a rounded shape, indicating a soft, unstructured body.
Visible garment - skirtBlack pleated or paneled skirt with soft wide pleats and a high waistline; fabric drapes to below knee and partially covers the model's legs.
1 region
x 0.10 · y 0.39 · w 0.52 · h 0.56 (high)
Visible garment - topFitted long-sleeve black top with a narrow high collar and a visible center seam running vertically down the front.
1 region
x 0.28 · y 0.09 · w 0.36 · h 0.36 (high)
FootwearBlack suede or matte-texture ankle boots with a block heel visible at the bottom of the frame.
1 region
x 0.36 · y 0.78 · w 0.28 · h 0.20 (high)
Other
Studio shot of a model against a plain white background with even front lighting; image frames the model from head to below knee and shows soft shadowing under the feet.
Shot compositionFrontal three-quarter shot of a standing model cropped slightly above the head and below the knees, leaning slightly to the model's left.
Background and lightingUniform white background with bright, even studio lighting producing soft minimal shadows beneath the model's feet and under the bag.
Model hand and ringModel's right hand grips the top of the bag near the woven section; a metallic ring is visible on the ring finger.
1 region
x 0.40 · y 0.38 · w 0.14 · h 0.10 (high)
Image qualityHigh-resolution, well-focused image with clear detail on textures and seams; no visible motion blur or compression artifacts.
Colors
deep black· tote woven body#0D0D0Esoft black leather· tote leather base and strap#121214flat black· top and skirt#0E0D0E
05: Product
Female model wearing a fitted long-sleeve black top with a gathered high neck tucked into a high-waisted, pleated black midi skirt; black suede, knee-height boots with block heels are visible.
High gathered neckClose-fitting high neck with visible gathered/pleated fabric that forms a small ruffle around the throat.
1 region
x 0.36 · y 0.06 · w 0.18 · h 0.08 (high)
Central wavy seamA single visible vertical seam running down the center front of the top with an irregular wavy edge.
1 region
x 0.42 · y 0.14 · w 0.10 · h 0.30 (high)
Fitted long sleeves with ruched cuffsSlim long sleeves that extend to the wrists with slight horizontal ruching at the cuff area.
2 regions
x 0.19 · y 0.20 · w 0.14 · h 0.30 (high); x 0.55 · y 0.20 · w 0.12 · h 0.30 (high)
High waist with buttoned waistbandSkirt sits at a high waist with a narrow waistband and one visible round button at the center front; belt loops present.
1 region
x 0.33 · y 0.38 · w 0.34 · h 0.10 (high)
Deep box/knife pleatsFull skirt formed by several deep vertical pleats starting at the waistband and opening into an A-line silhouette.
1 region
x 0.25 · y 0.45 · w 0.50 · h 0.45 (high)
Black suede boots with block heelKnee-height black boots in a matte suede texture featuring a rounded toe and a substantial block heel.
2 regions
x 0.40 · y 0.80 · w 0.24 · h 0.19 (high); x 0.50 · y 0.80 · w 0.20 · h 0.18 (high)
Other
Studio lifestyle shot showing model from head to mid-calf against a white background; soft even lighting with minimal shadows.
Shot compositionFull-body portrait cropped slightly above the top of the head and at mid-calf, model posed three-quarter to camera facing right.
Background and lightingPlain white background with even, soft studio lighting and faint soft shadows under the boots.
Visible model skin and faceModel's head and hands are visible; face shows makeup and short grey hair styled upward.
2 regions
x 0.34 · y 0.02 · w 0.20 · h 0.18 (high); x 0.18 · y 0.58 · w 0.12 · h 0.12 (high)
Image qualityHigh resolution, sharp focus on clothing details with no visible packaging or signage.
Colors
black· top#0E0E12black· skirt#0E0D0Eblack· boots#0D0D0E
06: Product
Rear three-quarter view of a fitted long-sleeve black top with a narrow ruched/high neckline tucked into a high-waist, full pleated black skirt with an elasticated waistband and two rear welt pockets with buttoned flaps; black mid-calf suede boots with block heels and visible back zippers are also visible.
Fitted long-sleeve topForm-fitting long-sleeve top in a matte black knit, fitted through the torso and sleeves, with slight sleeve ruching near the wrist on the visible arm.
1 region
x 0.28 · y 0.06 · w 0.45 · h 0.36 (high)
Ruched high necklineNarrow high neckline with visible gathered or ruched fabric at the back of the neck forming a slight collar.
1 region
x 0.41 · y 0.07 · w 0.16 · h 0.10 (high)
High-waist pleated skirtFull black skirt with strong vertical pleats beginning below the elasticated waistband, creating a flared silhouette from the waist down.
1 region
x 0.18 · y 0.36 · w 0.63 · h 0.44 (high)
Elasticated waistbandElasticated waistband at the skirt top with visible gathered fabric above the pleats and a defined seam line at the waist.
1 region
x 0.28 · y 0.34 · w 0.44 · h 0.07 (high)
Rear welt pockets with buttoned flapsTwo rear welt pockets on the skirt, each finished with a flap and a single visible round button.
2 regions
x 0.32 · y 0.43 · w 0.20 · h 0.10 (high); x 0.56 · y 0.43 · w 0.18 · h 0.10 (high)
Visible hand and ringsRight hand visible at side with two rings on fingers and natural skin; hand is not the product but is visible in-frame.
1 region
x 0.74 · y 0.51 · w 0.12 · h 0.11 (high)
Mid-calf suede boots with block heelBlack suede mid-calf boots with a chunky block heel and a vertical back zipper with visible metallic teeth; heel has a smooth sole edge visible under the heel.
1 region
x 0.38 · y 0.78 · w 0.28 · h 0.20 (high)
Fabric finishTop and skirt fabrics appear matte with minimal sheen; skirt fabric drapes with structured pleats while the top is a smoother knit.
Other
Studio rear three-quarter shot on a plain white background with even lighting and minimal shadow; image shows the model cropped at the lower legs and top of head, with crisp focus on garments.
Shot compositionRear three-quarter view of a standing model, centered horizontally with the garment visible from upper back to lower skirt; model turned slightly to the right.
Background and lightingPlain white background with even studio lighting producing soft, minimal shadows primarily beneath the skirt and heel.
Crop and framingImage is cropped slightly above the top of the head and below the boots' soles, showing full garment length through most of the skirt.
Model styling elementsShort grey hair and a single visible stud earring at the model's ear; these are styling elements and not product packaging.
1 region
x 0.52 · y 0.05 · w 0.12 · h 0.12 (high)
Colors
matte black· top fabric#0E0D0Ematte black· skirt fabric#0E0E0Eblack suede· boots (suede)#0E0D0E

Brand PDP Lookup

Brand: ET AL
URL: https://www.etalapparel.com/en-us/products/chaetopoda-ernst-haeckel

Chaetopoda | Ernst Haeckel ♂♀

Documents & Data

Q&A

2 answered

Is the Et Al Pleat Short Wo tailored?: This Pleat Short Wo is built like a structured dress short — pleated front, side pockets, and back jet pockets in a wool-blend fabric — so it reads tailored in styling. The listing doesn't explicitly label the fit 'tailored,' but the construction and dry-clean fabric point to a polished, dressier silhouette.
Can I steam the pleats at home, or do they require professional pressing to maintain their shape?: This Pleat Short Wo is labeled Dry Clean Only (P), so professional dry cleaning with pressing is the safest way to maintain the pleats. Because steam can relax and distort pleats in a wool-blend fabric, we'd avoid home steaming and stick with the care label.

Provenance

Merchant Link: https://etal-australia.com/products/em25-1704wo
Platform: shopify
Updated: July 31, 2026