What is a peplum dress? Create an attractive hourglass silhouette

Peplum dress is one of the old models of dress in which a piece of wavy fabric is sewn to the waistline of the dress. Would you like to know what a peplum dress is? What are its features and how should it be set? Read this article.

What is the definition of peplum dress?

The fact is that a peplum is not a dress at all; Rather, it is a piece of cloth that is attached to the dress from the waist line and can be loose or straight. Actually, a peplum dress is a dress that has a peplum. The basic garment to which the peplum is sewn can be a top, blouse, shirt, skirt or coat.

Details of the appearance of the peplum

If you look at the appearance of a peplum dress, the peplum part is just like a very short skirt that is sewn into the dress at the waistline. Some peplums are simple and some are wide; But their width is not too big to look like a cloche skirt.

The basic dress should be short exactly to the natural waist line of the body and the peplum should be added to the dress from there. If it is higher than that, it falls on the underbust line, which is called empire. If it is lower, it will be on the small butt line, which again will not be a peplum.

Defining the waist line

The purpose of peplum dress design is to define the waist line for people whose curves are not standard and do not have a defined waist. For example, people with rectangular bodies and apple-shaped bodies are flat or full in the middle of the waist. The peplum defines the waistline and slightly increases the width of the hips so that the curves of their bodies are closer to the hourglass.

Attractive hourglass silhouette

The peplum dress has an hourglass shape, and for this reason, the silhouette brings different body shapes closer to the hourglass. Peplum is suitable for almost any body shape. This dress can give an hourglass shape to a rectangular body, balance the upper and lower body for a pear-shaped or upside-down triangle body, create a defined waist for an apple-shaped body, and create an attractive silhouette for an hourglass body.

Variety in collar implementation

One of the features of the peplum dress is that it can be worn with a variety of collars. Everyone can choose their favorite collar on the peplum dress depending on their personal taste or body shape. Some common types of necklines for peplums include sweetheart necklines, sweetheart necklines, boat necks, scoop necklines, and strapless necklines.

Skirt length in peplum dresses

Peplum dresses can be worn with mini, midi and maxi skirts. It all depends on your personal style and the occasion you are going to wear the dress. Peplum dresses with short skirts are attractive and stylish; But with longer skirts, they add elegance and complexity to your style.

Variety in the selected fabric

Peplum dresses can be made with different fabrics. From thick and structured fabrics such as cotton and wool to bare and lightweight fabrics such as silk or silk, they are suitable for sewing peplum dresses. The design of the fabric can be simple or patterned, from checkered and spotted to floral and striped.

A brief history of peplum

The origin of the peplum dress goes back to ancient Greece; So it has a very old history. Let’s explore the history of the peplum together.

1. Peplum Terminology

The root of the word peplum is derived from the Greek word peplos, which refers to a type of Greek tunic in ancient Greece. This long tunic was actually a type of quilted fabric that was wrapped around the body and then tied at the waist with additional fabric or a strap. The design of the peplum was such that it shaped the middle part of the torso and instead, the hips looked fuller.

2. Renaissance fashion

During the Renaissance, early versions of the modern peplum were fashionable for both men and women. Between the Middle Ages and the 17th century, men wore waist-length coats. The upper body of these coats was body-shaped; But it widened from the waist onwards, which can be said to be similar to today’s peplum. The clothes of nobles often had peplums that were placed on the skirt of their clothes.

3. 19th century fashion

In the 19th century, the peplum gained a certain place in fashion and was defined as a decoration of clothing. Most people wore peplum dresses in the mid-19th century. Women in this period welcomed simple and straight skirts with a peplum on top of them; Because they found this new style of clothing more comfortable.

Some fashion historians link the rise of the peplum to the rise in popularity of the standard dress of the era, which consisted of a straight skirt or cloche with a large amount of fabric gathered at the back of the garment. The reason for this type of design was to show the hips fuller.

4. The re-popularity of medieval fashion

In the late 1940s, with the rise of post-World War II fashions that emphasized the hourglass silhouette, medieval fashions, including peplums, became popular again. Fashion designers used peplum a lot in their clothing collection. You probably remember one of the most famous designers of that period, Christian Dior, how he used peplum dresses in his New Look collection.

Dior was one of the most prominent ready-to-wear designers. In this way, thanks to ready-to-wear, peplums made their way into people’s daily wardrobes. At this time, women’s jackets and shirts with peplums became very popular.

5. 80s and 90s peplum dresses

In the 1980s, the 1940s look came back into fashion. However, it never reached the richness of the clothes of that decade. According to many fashion experts, the 1980s was the worst decade in the history of the fashion industry. In any case, it was during this period that body-hugging peplum jackets paired with a pencil skirt of the same fabric became popular. It was during this period that Thierry Mugler, the famous fashion designer, became famous for designing peplum jackets, many of which had geometric styles.

6. Peplum dresses in today’s fashion

A peplum dress is not always fashionable. Although it has been in and out of fashion many times over the decades, it has never been a constant in the fashion world. However, it became a trend again in the early 2010s, and the big fast fashion retailers gave it a brief boom.

In recent years, the use of peplums on clothing has become much more creative and is not limited to blouses or coats. Nowadays, peplums are also used on shirts, boho style skirts, t-shirts, ski necks, turtleneck dresses and scoop neck tops. Sometimes lace peplums are sewn on children’s clothes, which is very attractive for little girls.

Types of peplum dresses

As we said, peplum dresses are available in different styles, materials and designs. For example, peplum dresses can be sleeveless or sleeveless, and it is possible to implement a variety of collars on them.

Some types of peplum are smooth and some are ruffle-like with folds and pleats that change their width. In the following sections, we will see how the width of the peplum is related to the body shape of women.

How to choose peplum dresses for different body shapes

We said that the peplum dress is suitable for almost any body shape. However, everyone should use a specific model of peplum according to their body shape. Let’s examine them separately.

pear-shaped body

Peplum dresses can define the waist and add volume around the hips. Therefore, for a pear-shaped body, you must observe the following points to achieve balance:

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• Choose loose or a-line peplum dresses that cover the hips and thighs and draw attention away from the lower body.
• To avoid adding unnecessary bulk to the hips, the peplum of your dress should start slightly below the natural waistline.
• Choose a top that draws attention to the top.

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Hourglass body

Beautiful peplum dresses emphasize the natural curves of the hourglass body. So, if you have an hourglass body, any type of peplum will suit you.

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• If the peplum dress you have chosen has a specific waist line, it will show your waist curve more beautifully.
• Your peplum dress will show off your hourglass figure better if it starts right at or just below the waistline.

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apple-shaped body

Peplum dresses can create the illusion of a defined waistline, which is essential for apple-shaped bodies:

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• Look for peplum dresses with a structured fit that flatters the upper body.
• The apple-shaped organ is full in the middle part of the body. Therefore, to create a waistline and draw attention to the upper body, choose a peplum that starts just below the bust.
• The peplum part should be wide enough to cover the hips and give you an hourglass shape with a defined waist.

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Rectangular body

The rectangular body is the same size from top to bottom and has no special curves. Peplum dresses can give curves to this body and create the illusion of a defined waist.

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• Look for peplum dresses where the peplum part starts at the natural waistline. This gives curves to your body.
• Choose a peplum that is ruffled or pleated and gives more volume to the hips to define the curve of the waist.
• The top of the dress should also show the chest part more clearly to help the curve of the body.

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The body of small people

Peplum dresses can give more dimensions to petite people and create delicate curves in their bodies.

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• Look for peplum dresses with a shorter length that won’t overwhelm you.
• To elongate your legs, the peplum of your dress should start very slightly above your natural waistline. Of course, not so close to the chest line and become an empire model.
• It is better to fit the upper body and shape of the body; Because the tiny body disappears in big and very loose clothes.

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Suitable situations for peplum dresses

Now the question is, what are the best occasions to wear a peplum dress?

A peplum dress is a versatile dress that can be worn in many situations. Hedge and ruffle-like types are ideal for cocktail parties and simpler models for formal events. Of course, you should also pay attention to its fabric. Peplums made from sturdy fabrics can be used for formal occasions and those made from more casual cotton fabrics can be suitable for casual occasions.

The style of clothing is also important; For example, wear a peplum coat for parties or formal occasions and choose a blouse and peplum top for birthdays or casual friendly parties.

Some beautiful and attractive designs of peplum dress

In this section, we offer you some ideas for peplum dresses that you can get ideas from and try:

1. Peplum dress with boat neck

This peplum dress has a boat neck pattern. It is full body and its skirt is up to the knee. The waist of the dress is secured with a fabric belt, the bow of which is a beautiful combination with the wavy peplum of the dress. You must have an hourglass figure to wear this dress.

2. Peplum dress with metallic belt

Although this peplum dress is simple, it is very stylish and attractive. Its collar is square and slightly wide to show itself better. Pair it with a gold metallic belt at the waist.

3. Peplum dress with long sleeves

This long-sleeved dress is made of solid and structured navy blue fabric. The collar is asymmetrical and decorated with a beautiful pin. Pair it with a long maxi skirt to have a dress suitable for parties and formal events.

4. Peplum dress with polka dot fabric

This peplum dress is made of red and white polka dot fabric and has a cheerful and attractive look. The skirt is made of the same fabric as the top. Just so that the overall appearance of the dress is not uniform, the peplum has been chosen from polka dots with a larger design.

5. Cold shoulder peplum dress

The model of this dress is cold shoulder and it is set with Chanel model midi skirt, which creates a perfect combination with the peplum top. Pair this dress with glass sandals.

6. Peplum dress with asymmetric design

This blue sleeveless dress has an asymmetrical patterned peplum. The whole dress is simple in terms of design and without any special design. Its three-quarter tube sleeves have created a perfect combination with the tank skirt. A white sandal or other neutral colors is enough to complete it.

Another asymmetric peplum look is this light pink blouse and skirt with a pleated neckline. One side has a ring and the other side has a ruffled short sleeve. Pair this dress with a knee-length skirt and complete your style with neutral-colored shoes:

7. Peplum dress for overseas people

This red peplum dress is perfect for plus size people and the fabric belt defines the waistline. Pair it with a pair of dark jeans and complete it with a leopard print bag and heels.

8. Peplum skirt with belt

Peplum is not only for dresses, it can also be part of a skirt. For example, this model you see is a peplum skirt paired with a white top. The overall appearance of the dress looks as if the peplum is the end of the dress.

final word

In this article, we talked about the peplum dress. We got acquainted with its history and features and checked the suitable model for each body shape separately. Peplums are perfect for creating an hourglass figure for all shapes, from apple to pear to oblong. Depending on the fabric and model, the peplum dress can be worn both in formal events and in casual situations. This versatile dress pairs well with skirts and pants. You can try the models and ideas we suggested in this article.

What do you think about peplum dresses? Do you know of other dresses that are similar to peplum dresses that are suitable for most body types? Please share your views with us.

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