Peplums: The Trend And How To Make It Flatter Your Figure

Tania Braukämper gives us her tips on the Peplum trend, which I think is feminine and sexy when worn and combined correctly.

1947 was the year that the craze of the Peplum began and with no other than Dior behind this extravaganza. It was part of the “New Look” silhouette that took to the spotlight of a woman’s waist, it was structured, feminine and most of all elegant. In spring of 2012, the Peplum scene has burst back onto the runways and hips everywhere, but they have as everything else, evolved. They have frilled their way out of the 40’s era, bounded past the 80’s and now have landed in the current trends of 2012, with full expansion of appeal.

What Are Peplums?

Peplums began in the 1800’s as short over skirts that flared out from the waist, throughout the years its meaning has held true, even though in the 20th century they became attached to the waists of jackets or skirts as structured frills that emphasized the hips. Christian Dior debuted the “Bar” suit in the year of 1947 which formed an iconic part of the “New Look”, bringing padded hips into raging popularity.

The Peplum Now

Year after year and fashion season after fashion season, peplums have been featured, but not as much as 2012 runways, they rose up to have their moment, and will keep doing so until the new trend hits the runways. While some designers adhered to the stiff femininity of the peplum as history knows it, others really have brought it forward into the era of crossing paths and expressing true uniqueness.

Peplums Beyond the Skirt

The general consensus of a peplum is that they are usually attached to something, whether it be a skirt, jacket or dress, but nowadays thats not the case. They now find themselves frilling out across the hips of skinny cut pants or even being worn with tailored shorts as a modern take to the silhouette.

Peplums Gone Sporty

It is said that one of the best ways to wear a peplum in 2012 is to mix it up with a sporty fabrication. Not only does this keep the peplum shape interesting but also keeps the ‘feeling too girly’ feeling away. Peplum tops or skirts in mesh of perforated leather have an innately sporty sensibility.

Feminine with a Twist

Givenchy’s spring 2012 blouses and jackets were designed to frill from the neck down, and quite intricately I might add…and then ending in waves of frills at the hips. At Cushnie et Ochs, solid metal was the chosen medium for these peplums, adding a futuristic effect while Badgley Mischka incorporated asymmetry and frills that began as oversized bows.

How Peplums Can Flatter Your Figure

When volume is needed one can always turn to peplums, but if you feel that peplums aren’t the thing for your hips, don’t push the idea aside just yet. Adding volume to the hips creates negative space around the waist, so let’s just say that if you are heavier at the bottom, peplums can be a life saver, they can draw in the waist and create a deliberate hourglass shape. But one must choose wisely by opting for pieces that create an s-curve. It might be a good idea to opt for the tops or jackets rather than the dresses or skirts.

5 Ways To Wear Peplums

Peplum Blazers

A peplum blazer works differently on the body than a peplum skirt or dress; it gives an instant geometric shape to an outfit when worn. However it is not the peplum that does the trick, it is the original silhouette of the blazer and jacket that gives the shape to the shoulders and waist.

Acne cotton-blend peplum jacket and Alexander McQueen folded-front leather jacket.

Peplum Tops

The peplum top can be worn with any bottoms and if you do have a bit of a tummy, then wearing a pencil skirt with it will camouflage the appearance of it. However, if you are wearing shorts or pants, one can draw attention away from the waist area by looking for fashion items where the peplum starts above your stomach. Low sitting peplums do tend to emphasize on the waist and direct the entire silhouette of the mid-section.

Nina Ricci floral silk top and ASOS net-detailed peplum top.

Peplum Dresses

A peplum dress needs to be structured, streamlined and flattering to your body type. If a peplum is too large then it can tend to look comical. Accents of subtleness of fabric on either side of the waist are also a variation within the peplum dress family, but remember: don’t look for structured peplum dresses that would cut your body into two horizontal halves.

Aqua structured mini dress and Stella McCartney jersey peplum dress.

Peplum Skirts

What makes the peplum so great is the fact that it creates the illusion of perfect symmetry on the body. The fabric that overlays the hips seem proportionate to the shoulders, but one must remember that when purchasing a peplum skirt, you must let it take centre stage in your wardrobe and also keep your body type in mind when picking this style. If you have a larger bottom, a peplum skirt wouldn’t be a wise choice for you and you should opt for a peplum top instead.

ASOS peplum skirt and Ellery Apron peplum skirt.

Peplum Swimsuits

There isn’t really much to hide even though the peplum bottom will act as an accessory. however the H&M one piece swimsuit is seen with a frilled hip and frills that border the cups as opposed to the waist. This style could act as an illusion for those of you who have smaller breasts.

Marc by Marc Jacobs tie halter bikini, H&M bandeau-style swimsuit and River Island seersucker frill bikini.

 

Do's And Dont's For Wearing Peplums

Do:
Wear peplum's with trousers, skinny or wide-legged pants (This all depends on how long your legs are)
Style the colours according to the proportion of your body. For example: wear a darker tone peplum at the top to minimise broad shoulders and larger breasts and team it with a lighter shade at the bottom. But a dark colour on the bottom with a light peplumed top visually slims the bottom half.
One should allow peplums to collaborate with other key trend pieces in your wardrobe. Don’t be afraid to style prints, lace or mesh detailing with the peplum.

Don’t:
Don't wear ankle strap shoes or Mary Janes. Court shoes or ankle booties will do the trick.
If you are conscious of your body, then choose fabrics that will cling to it. The peplum dress can exemplify every curve of your body and sometimes that is not what you want, so pick from knits, chiffon and light cotton.

Via: fashionising.com

Views: 9141

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