I don't recall pleated pants even being available where I shop for at least the past 12 years plus.
You probably don't do too much shopping at Jos. A Banks.
Lots of pleats there, yes.
If pleats interest anyone here, I think there's an old, dusty corner at most JC Penney stores that have some left from the 80's that they've had a hard time moving.
JC Penney has more pleats than non-pleats. Some people must just prefer the pleats. It's kind of baffling, really.
Allow me to solve the mystery of the pleats. There are certain builds, i.e. small waist (with rippling abs), larger around the hips w/ thicker thighs, that just can't wear pleats. This condition is also usually accompanied by broad muscular shoulders. Most people call this an athletic build, I call it me.
Lots of scrawny little beanpoles outing themselves in this thread. That being said I don't think OB wears the pleats for this reason. He's just old.