How to Wear a Peplum
Fairchild Archive
Here are some things that are patently, ridiculously false:
A) You can't wear white after Labor Day.
B) You can't mix black and brown.
C) You can't wear a peplum if your body's not shaped like Karlie Kloss's.
Regarding the latter, I get why they seem scary. I do. But instead of assuming that a peplum's extra fabric widens you, think about it this way:
You know when you slip on a poufy, A-line skirt and your legs look thinner by comparison? It's like that. The exaggerated shape diminishes the other body parts around it. (In the peplum's case, that's your waist.)
It's a way to fake an hourglass figure that's much more ladylike and sophisticated than the clingy bandage dress route. Which is probably why so many designers love it (Jason Wu, Burberry, Michael Kors) and celebs both teeny (Emma Stone, above) and more curvy (Jennifer Hudson) call themselves fans.
With a few simple guidelines, that waist-whittling effect can work on almost anyone:
Black on black is the safest way you can possibly go. Opt for a slim pant to further emphasize the flouncey peplum.
Add a sturdy heel to complement the skirt's bold shape.
Like we said, A-line skirts are great. But not with peplums: pair those with streamlined pencil skirts instead.
Also, choose hems that hit above the knee to avoid looking frumpy.
Pair a printed, floaty peplum blouse with something equally fun, like colored denim or leather pants.
Slick your hair back in a high ponytail for a '90s Versace model look.
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