In a device for pressing pants whereby the pants are oriented vertically, it is desired that the human operation of the device be confined to one side, and that the pants can be inserted in the device in simple fashion, from only the front side of the device. This is achieved in an arrangement wherein, with reference to FIG. 1, two vertical front press plates (8 and 9) and two insertion plates (6 and 7) are hinged (18 and 19) to swing outward in flap fashion with respect to two vertical rear press plates (4and 5), such hinging being to the rear press plates (4and 5); wherein pressing assemblies (23) for pressing the pairs of press plates together are disposed outside the swing region of the front press plates (8 and 9) and the insertion plates (6 and 7); wherein for tensioning the pants one rear press plate (5) is made horizontally translatable (per 11 and 17) with respect to the other rear press plate (4); and wherein a clamp (25) for holding and stretching the waistband is associated with the broad side of one rear press plate (4), which broad side is furnished with nozzle openings (37). When the front press plates and the insertion plates are swung open, the broad sides of the rear press plates (which broad sides are furnished with nozzle openings) as well as the clamp which is holding the front end of the waistband, are freely accessible from the front side of the device. After the waistband is held fast and tensioned, the pants are pressed between the press plates, after which the two pairs of press plates are moved apart a little, horizontally in the plane of the pants, in order to tension the pants.