How I Wear: A Peplum

Dear Readers,

I recall - not very fondly! - that when I was trying to come up with the terms to work on for my MA dissertation, I tried hard to avoid the word 'peplum'. Whereas the term is pretty straightforward in English, it presents a million linguistic difficulties in Maltese, so I casually omitted it from my work.

We frequently speak of the 'colour of the season' or the 'shoe of the season', but we tend to ignore 'the silhouette of the season'. As far as the latter is concerned, this season's silhouette needs the peplum! Many loathe the peplum, either because they would rather not bring back this cringing 80s trend, or due to its perceived unflattering nature. Thing is, both 'myths' are slightly incorrect, and I'm going to show you why. I lie somewhere in the middle of the Love or Hate Peplum Scale, so my description of it should be rather objective.

Peplums ARE flattering!

Please write this if you need to, but understand that peplums are flattering on all body types! On the one hand, peplums are the silhouette that best accentuates curvier bodies, making the wearer shine in her hourglass figure! On the other hand, skinny ladies can opt for the peplum to create an artificial hourglass figure. The peplum is one of the only silhouettes that suits everyone!

But be careful...

what you pair with it! This is what makes or breaks the entire look! It's not the peplum that makes you look big or small, it's what you wear with it that makes the difference! 

Essentially there are two ways to wear a peplum. The first is the classic 1940s Dior-inspired do, where a peplum is accompanied by a figure-hugging pencil skirt. This look is more appropriate for those of a small or medium sized body. Pencil skirts shorten the legs, and they make you look stout. So curvy girls stay away from the classic look or at least don't blame your peplum please!

The more modern look combines a peplum and a pair of cigarette pants or any form of skinny trousers. Curvier girls - or the lady who desires her legs to look longer - need to opt for this look because it streamlines the lower body and makes it look slimmer. The modern combination is also cleaner and sharper.

Use it to your own advantage!

I've spoken endless times before about the way colours and silhouettes can drastically modify your body's proportions. The peplum is already helping to visually slim down your body, but choosing the right colours and patterns for the outfit will help you to take it to a whole new level! To make your lower body look smaller, choose a patterned, colourful peplum and go for dark-coloured trousers. If it's your upper body that requires slimming intervention, then make sure your peplum is in a dark block of colour, and choose a patterned or bright skirt underneath!

Water it down if you want to.

Every trend has a selected group of followers that are not too keen on the trend itself but feel like trying it anyway. For such people, I recommend the monochromatic peplum look, preferably an all-black outfit. I've seen various peplum dresses in black in my favourite high-street shops. That might just be the solution!

Accessorise, as always!

A peplum emphasises the waist already, but if you're willing to go a step ahead, then add a skinny belt for that extra detail. Combine trends by opting for a neon, floral, pastel or animal print skinny belt and you're good to go!

I'm still looking for the perfect peplum number myself, but I wouldn't mind seeing how you rocked the trend. Let me know in the comments or show me a photo on my Facebook Page.

-B