Would You Wear… a Peplum Dress?
Peplum for daytime, nighttime, and on the runway. Credit: 1, 2, 3
In the spirit of our mad hunts to find the perfect New Year’s Eve look, I decided to showcase an old party dress trend that’s having a resurgance. Peplum dresses, which have a ruffle around the waist, have come back into style, and would be perfect for NYE.
No matter how you wear it, peplum gives off a flirty, feminine vibe. Even the street style look above is sophisticated and a little bit retro-girly. However, this look can also go wrong if the proportions are off – it’s key for peplum frocks to be tailored all over to balance out the bulk of the major ruffle.
Although proponents of this trend argue that only slim women can pull off this look, I beg to differ. Remember when Jennifer Hudson looked absolutely stunning in a Victoria Beckham peplum dress? It seems as if drawing attention to the waist would be counterproductive, but when I think about it, I’ve never seen peplum look unflattering.
Personally, I think this would be a fabulous look to wear on New Years. If you found the perfect peplum dress in a shiny material, I think it would be sophisticated and too cute for words!
How do you feel about peplum party dresses?
Leave a comment and let me know your thoughts about peplum dresses. Which celeb style is your favorite? Do you think you’ll be rocking this look on New Year’s Eve? Where else would you wear a peplum party dress? How would you wear it?
Posted on on December 28, 2010 / Filed Under: Would You Wear? / Tags: Blake Lively, Jennifer Hudson, Louis Vuitton, Michelle Trachtenberg, New Year's, New Years Eve, party dress, Peplum, Peplum Dress
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A.
I love them! I think the flatter all body types–gives skinny girls curves and makes voluptuous girls lots of OOMPH
Pamela
Peplum dresses look super cute! I love the first one for daytime, I would definitely try that one.
Elle
While some of those pictured above are cute, I think it’s a trend to be very careful with because it draws attention to that area of the body, and for some that line might hit the stomach and if you’re not tone (I know I’m not), it could make you look bigger than you are. I’m not sure if this trend translates well from runway. For example the shiny green one and black lace one are unflattering on the people wearing it. i really like the last two in the first set of pictures though, when it’s an exagerrated ruffle- a more obvious one, it looks very edgy.
Alaina
I LOVE this look!
However, I think the size of the “peplum” needs to be addressed. In the Jennifer Hudson picture, the excess fabric was very long compared to most of the other examples. I don’t think if the fabric was the same length as the metallic green dress it would be as flattering.
irina
thanks for this, i never knew they were called perplum dresses…and i would definitely try one, but I would have to try one on first since they seem like they would only work for certain body types..maybe i’m wrong?
Monica
I think these dresses are really cute and fashion forward, except for the green one on the left that kind of looks like a mermaid costume. In my opinion they would not flatter pear shaped bodies, but all the other body types would look great!
Jen
These are too cute! My favorite is the one Georgina (don’t know the actress’s real name) is wearing.
Amy
I tried on a black and gray one at forever 21, it was surprisingly flattering. However I don’t know where I would have worn it..
Jenny Tadrik
Love the post and the pictures. I know the stars wear very expensive dresses, but you can definitely find inexpensive alternatives at different stores. I have a dress just like the green dress on the left that I found at Forever21.com. But for all you ladies out there looking to spice it up a little more, check out http://www.pinkice.com.
I also like the some of the vintage stuff that Modcloth has. I can’t wait to wear my new peplum dress on NYE!
Milana
YES YES YES! Love them! Classy, yet edgy! :)
Hannah M.
Their super cute, but I’m afraid my hips are far too large and they would look enormous with this dress on!
Alyssa
Super cute, but not for me–my hips are wide enough on their own ;)
Kat
I love peplum dresses! I’ve been looking for the perfect one for a while. I’ve got some curves, but I think that these dresses can be flattering on curvier girls if it nips in at the natural waist, which is usually our smallest part. I think one for New Years is a great idea!
Miriam
oo, those looks really cute!
Breanna
I think the third one on the top could work for pear-shaped girls – the top has enough volume to balance the bottom, so it should look even if the skirt would be of a tighter fit. And this kind of ruffles can actually mask wider hips, if someone feels uncomfortable about hers. The red or the mermaid-green one on the other hand would be most probably unflattering, because of the tube top.
But don’t give up on a style you like without even trying it out! There is a wide variety of peplum dresses and not all will be merciless to bigger hipped girls.
epps
YES!!
they can dressed up and down!
where can i get a cute one????? :D
Sureena
i love them, in fact, i’m going to wear a pink peplum dress on new year’s eve! I have a rather curvy figure and this dress suits me like no other!:)
Rachael
I find this look a bit hit and miss, I think it really does depend on the fabric/style of the dress. I love the little red dress in the picture above. I have a black one from French Connection that I wore out to a club recently and felt great in it all night. I had previously pushed it to the back of my wardrobe but I do think I’ll be embracing my peplum dress a bit more in the future!
Laura
I like it a lot! Especially the dusty rose one on the runway and the red one!!! I feel like this kind of dress could balance out my larger bust and my (barely there) hips. The green one is a bit much for me, and the black one is a bit blase, but great post! I didn’t know this was called a “peplum dress.” Way to go CF!!
Rin
I don’t know why but I am really not a fan of peplum dresses.
Leah
HOLY POOP.
The only designer item I was seriously going to buy was a Betsey Johnson peplum dress. They might seem a little weird, but they really do flatter, even if you have something going on in the booty department.
I’m glad this is finally catching on!
TCW
Peplum looks good on tall, slender celebs, but they always seem a little bit on the frumpier side on a 5’2″ girl like me.
Jenny Tadrik
The only restriction on peplum dresses is big hips. I think it looks good on most other shapes and sizes.
teebee
I have a gorgeous gray peplum dress I want to wear to a wedding, its sleeveless and will be a bit chilly in April, what kind of cover-up can I wear?? Help!!!
Jessie Oryall
who’s wearing the daytime peplum dress in the first photo and who’s the dress by? I’m completely in love!
thanks!
xx