that is the ques...err poll!
Exactly what is says. Pleats or flat front, and why?
Personally, I think pleats look better so long as they are worn at the natural waist. Lower rise pants worn on the hips (as with the more current style) and non-dress pants look better with a flat front.
I have a fondness for pleated fronts- to me trousers look slightly unfinished without them. If you have a slim figure, I don;t think you need to worry about either making you look fat. I'm not slim (not fat either) but I am only 5'7" and as I did a lot of hard sport as a child, my legs are about 50% thicker than most clothesmakers like, so I hate going for trousers. I did just pick up a pair of flat-front chinos and I found the fit is much more important with flat-front. I like a relaxed fit, but this makes f-front trousers look a bit wrong- they seem designed to emphasise your slimness and don't work if not well-fitted. This makes me slightly self-conscious when wearing them. Also, f-frnt and high waist = wearing them lower than you should to a) look contemporary and b) take attention away from your stomach and this isn't a good combination. Slightly hipsterised chinos with f-frnt will work well.