The peplum top is back again. This divisive silhouette that rocked the 2010s has crept back into the 2020s. But this time around, with more flair and pomp. New-season collections feature them in unique cuts that tell you there’s more to the trend than a flared waistline.
In this guide, we explore the return of the peplum waistline, showing you chic designs and how to style them in stunning ways.
The Love-Hate Peplum Top Relationship
Peplum is a short gathered, flared, or pleated strip of fabric attached to the waistline of women’s jackets, dresses, or tops to create a hanging frill or flounce. These tops have an over-the-skirt silhouette, flaring out to minimize the waist while accentuating the hips. Some designs incorporate large pleats, exaggerated flare, and unconventional shapes, like a one-sided peplum for a dramatic effect.
The style is often made from various thick, foamy, or lightweight fabrics. Popular choices include neoprene, scuba, crepe, and silk. To add an extra layer of thickness, designers often include stiffening interfacing materials such as crinoline, peplum stay, and fusible interfacing. The interlining adds structure and shape to the over-the-skirt flare, reinforcing the fabric’s strength.
Like every fashion trend, the peplum waist is functional. It cinches the waist, hides belly fat, and gives the illusion of an hourglass. Additionally, it accentuates your curves, creating a flattering silhouette that’s both chic and feminine.
But despite these incredible perks, not everyone likes the flared top. Just because it cinches around the natural waist doesn’t mean it’ll be flattering for all body types. For some, the effect can cut the length of your torso and flare out to your widest part, giving a boxy figure instead. To avoid this, it’s crucial to know your body type and tailor your peplum top to suit it. This way, instead of wearing extremely flared tops, keep it mild so it aligns with the widest part of your body.
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How to Style the Peplum Top
The peplum top has proven to be a versatile staple that works with a variety of outfits, regardless of your personal style. Ahead, we explore chic outfit ideas for incorporating this piece into your wardrobe:
Coordinate Your Peplum Top
When in doubt, wear a two-piece, but make it a peplum hem. For example, if your workplace demands you always look formal, a peplum blazer with matching trousers does the trick. Suiting it up is an excellent way to maintain the office-appropriate vibe of this staple. But if you’d rather tone down the formality, check for coordinated peplum sets with knee-length or midi skirts. Or better still, rock cinched-waist two-pieces with body-fitting or skimpy bottoms for a sultry look.
Pair it with Denim
For a classic smart casual outfit, pair your top with jeans, whether straight-leg, boyfriend jeans, bootcut, or bell bottoms. You can never go wrong with denim; it’s the perfect accompaniment to any standout piece.
Keep it Unconventional
If you’re reluctant to jump on the trend or’d love a fresh take, look for a flared top with some unique twist. For example, an asymmetric or high-low peplum blouse maintains the flared-out, hourglass effect but gives a refreshing, fashion-forward effect.
Transform an Oversized Jacket into Peplum
If you don’t have a cinched-waist top in your wardrobe, use this simple hack to create one: Wear an oversized blazer, grab a belt, and use it to cinch your natural waist. The result will be a DIY on-trend jacket with the hourglass shape of a peplum. For more effects, ensure your belt has a statement buckle.
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Keep things Monochromatic
Pair your top with pants or a skirt in the same hue to create a singular-colored peplum outfit. A monochromatic color-matching palette gives you the freedom to experiment with various shapes and textures while playing it safe. Whether you rock a micro peplum or explore exaggerated hems, the single hue will keep it subtle while still highlighting the fashion statement you’re making.
Wear Subtle Peplum Tops
For minimalist fashion enthusiasts, subtlety is a priority. If that sounds like you, stick to tops with slightly ruffled hems and less drama. They’re fashionable while staying true to your conservative aesthetic.
Embrace the Drama
The great thing about choosing a monochrome palette is the freedom to try out exaggerated shapes. A singular-colored ensemble lets the hourglass shape of the peplum stand out and allows you to work with varying sizes of hemlines. For example, you can easily switch from a voluminous hem to a micro peplum when you stick with one hue.
Rock a Peplum Top in Prints
Don’t limit yourself to solid-colored tops; experiment with peplums in florals, polka dots, stripes, and other fascinating prints. It’s a simple yet chic way to stand out. Wear the same prints or solid-colored bottoms to create a balance. But if you’re feeling avant-garde, mix two or more prints in your outfit for an edgy touch.
Wear an Afrocentric Peplum Top
Get a custom-made cinched-waist blouse in ankara, kente, batik, or any African textile. This style connects fashion with indigenous roots.
Wear it over a Shirt
If you have a strapless peplum-hem top, wear it over a collared shirt in a contrasting color. This edgy option instantly elevates your style sense from 7 to 500, helping you create a modest outfit with a rather revealing top.
Get that Figure Eight with a Peplum Top
Yes, peplum-hem blouses are a quick way to get an hourglass figure without going under the knife. They complement any style of bottoms, giving you formal or casual outfits depending on your style intent. Whether you like them subtle or dramatic with exaggerated flare, these tops are a great way to conceal features you aren’t proud of or add more definition to your waistline for a flattering look.
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