Peplum Power

Flip for This Season’s Flaptastic Fashion Trend!

It may be that not-so-noticeable transition period between spring and summer in the Sunshine State, but that doesn’t mean you have to swap your ladylike style for less sophisticated fare like billowy shorts and familiar flip-flops.

If you’re looking to highlight your flair for fashion, consider embracing this season’s haute peplum trend. Not only will you showcase your refined sense of style, but you’ll be able to create a flattering silhouette while doing it.

It could be considered a fashion flashback. After all, the roots of the peplum trend—defined by a short flared ruffle that sits at the natural waist—can be traced all the way back to ancient Greece, when people would wear a tunic or long garment with a flap of fabric folded and belted around the waist. It grew quite popular in the mid-19th century, entered high fashion in the 1940s and became a full-on craze in the 1980s after making ample appearances on primetime soap operas like Dynasty, Dallas and Falcon Crest.

But don’t worry; this season’s peplum styles aren’t as exaggerated as they were back in the 80s. Instead, restrained representations of the flaptastic style resurfaced on the runways in Milan, Paris and New York City, popping up on dresses, jackets and pants designed by the likes of industry icons like Giorgio Armani, Alberta Ferretti and Vera Wang.

And Hollywood’s style-savvy celebrities have taken notice of the flare trend, which with the right fit can be flattering for most women. Starlets like Blake Lively, Jennifer Hudson, Katy Perry, Emma Stone and Michelle Williams have been photographed wearing hip-accentuating pieces on and off the red carpet. Even fashion’s new ‘It’ girl Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, has been spotted wearing peplum dresses and suits.

So if you’re ready to get frilled-up this summer while looking fantastically fit and strikingly shapely, here are some ways to embrace the power of peplum this season.

A Perfect Fit
When updating your wardrobe with peplum pieces, keep in mind that there are actually two types: fitted and flared. If you’re hoping to show off your hourglass figure, choose a fitted peplum. On the other hand, flared pieces will help create the illusion of curves and are the perfect choice for boy-shaped bodies.

Two in a Bush
This season, why not add two trends to your wardrobe with one single piece? From Jason Wu’s hot pink pencil skirt to Rodarte’s neon green pantsuit, some of this season’s most dazzling peplum designs come in haute hyper colors. So if you’re ready to pop it like its hot, pick out a ruffled garment in a bold color!

Prints of Tides
Sure you can easily find a peplum piece in a single color; but some of the most dramatic garments come in bewitching prints. For inspiration, check out Anna Sui’s tribal-patterned dress with its lengthy ruffle or Nina Ricci’s peplum piece that combines several floral prints and lace to create the ultimate feminine silhouette.

So whether you decide to go for a peplum jacket in a bold color or a ruffled dress in an eye-catching print, there’s no denying the power of peplum. Just remember to find a flared piece with a soft structure. And, look for jersey fabrics with a bit of stretch to give you the right amount of hip-enhancing volume and drape without overwhelming your frame.

Tom Castañeda

Tom Castañeda is a creative writer, blogger, and award-winning broadcast journalist who has worked at Architectural Digest, In Touch Weekly, and Latina – a fashion, beauty, and lifestyle magazine for today’s bi-cultural Latina woman. Throughout his career in publishing, Tom has planned and executed numerous celebrity, fashion, and beauty programs throughout the country, including fashion shows, and shopping events for brands like Bloomingdale’s, Chanel, Mikimoto, David Yurman, Givenchy, Armani Fragrances, Macy’s, Southpole Collection, and more. Additionally, Tom has drawn on his strong journalism background to create various print, online, and video reports on various subjects, including fashion and beauty.