By Francesca Claybrook
A peplum is that short little overskirt that falls over a longer skirt – think the Victoria Beckham dress that Jennifer Hudson wore to the 2010 Grammys. This extra detail can add a lot of interest to a dress; it’s definitely a good way to jazz up your ensemble. This is becoming a very popular style, so there are lots of options, which range from the expensive ($1,500 Prabal Gurung, anyone?) to mid-range (I really like Alice + Olivia’s “Joey” dress, which looks amazing in both navy and white) to very affordable (Bluefly.com has a few good options, like this one from Shoshanna, or this one from Necessary Objects). If you like the look but aren’t sure if you want to invest in a statement dress, then there are other ways to get the look. Several designers make tops that have a peplum-style bottom that you can layer over pants or jeans to achieve the same effect. Try this blouse from Marc by Marc Jacobs, or this corset top, available at Nordstrom.
So how do you wear a peplum? There are a couple things to consider. First, don’t go for anything too voluminous or with too much extra fabric unless you want to make your hips seem larger than they really are, and do make sure to emphasize your waist – the contrast between a tiny waist and voluptuous hips is classic, but if you don’t emphasize your waist you risk losing your figure altogether. Another way to maintain your figure is to keep the underskirt (or the pants you’re wearing with your peplum top) fitted even if the peplum itself sticks out farther from the garment. And have fun with defining your waist – some dresses come with sashes or belt details already, but experiment with other belts that can add some interest while at the same time keeping your figure in check.