Lorean Mays wears a peplum-style jacket by Mac & Jac, $169, with skinny cropped jeans by Henry & Belle, $159, and a red and white scarf, $59. Fashions courtesy of Frankie & Julian’s.A bit of extra fabric is cinching in waistlines this season, giving women an easy cheat for an hourglass figure.
The peplum, a ruffle that adds volume just below the waist, has a combination fit-and-flare look that works on many body types, fashion experts say.
The style was first brought to the forefront in the 1940s and ’50s by designers Jacques Fath and Christian Dior and was reintroduced more recently by Jason Wu and Vera Wang, among others, reported The New York Times.
Kate Middleton, the trendsetting Duchess of Cambridge, sported the style at recent Diamond Jubilee appearances with Queen Elizabeth. Middleton’s jacket was belted at the waist, flaring the fabric below.
“Peplums are great because if a woman doesn’t have many or any curves, adding a skirt, dress or top with a peplum will give the illusion that she has more curves,” said Suzanne West, owner of Frankie & Julian’s boutique on Frazier Avenue.