Last weekend, a curvy friend asked how I felt about peplums. My answer: Meh.
I am not entirely opposed to a peplum; properly deployed, that little overskirt can be kind of fun. For example, I’m loving this Alice + Olivia dress with the lace overlay. It’s simple and sleek and has a clean, minimalist line. Lovely.
But that’s not really what we’re talking about when we talk about peplums, is it? Typically, a peplum is a little less minimalist and a little more … hippy.
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Photo via Nordstrom.com
Thank you for asking. I’ve had this opinion but no one to share it with. While I do adore the A+O dress above, I give peplums a big thumbs down. Along with formal shorts, loafers and stilletos, I say – “Fashion industry, you will not trick me into wearing such silly things!” I think peplums look like a bib for your crotch. Or the microest of minis.
Cora, “a bib for your crotch” is the best thing I’ve heard today.
As someone with prodigious lower body assets (aka: junk in my trunk) and not so much upper body endowment (36A yo!), peplums are a big no-no for my body. But I went shopping recently with a friend who is in the D cup range w/ slim hips and she tried on a top w/ peplum that looked great on her: http://bit.ly/QsNotZ
Good point, Laura! Proportion is so important — always.
I love peplums dresses but I do have a slim waist and hips. Peplum skirts don’t look good on me though due to my petite height.
I agree with Laura’s comments. Avoid at all cost if you are a pear shape. i.e. slim shoulders, wide hips.
Two thumbs down. I get what they are trying to do, but there are better alternatives. Like Carol Li, I’m short (or “of petite height”) and athletically built (broad shoulders, junk in the trunk) so I don’t need any extra fabric messing things up.
I like peplums, but I find I have to object to your use of the word “curvy” to denote a woman of larger stature. As a young woman in possession of very dramatic curves (think Christina Hendricks; I wear 30H bras and have a sub-30 inch waist) who does not fall into the category of plus-size, I have always found that particular use of the word more-than-mildly offensive. Curves are not synonymous with one’s overall size or weight, but rather one’s shape. A woman may be curvy and slender, or plus-sized and straight as a pin, or any other combination of size and silhouette. Moreover, every woman has curves of some kind or other; it is merely the curves’ degree that allows others to differentiate between what is deemed especially “curvy” and what is not. “Curvy” is a shape, not a size. I realize that you probably meant it as a kind euphemism, but as a smaller-to-average woman with an hourglass figure, I heartily take offense at your misuse of the term.