The other day I was browsing my favorite online retailers, hoping to upgrade my fall wardrobe, when I saw it: peplum. And it. Was. Everywhere.
As if bubble hems weren’t bad enough. How could the fashion gods let this happen?!
For those of you who don’t know what peplum is (or for those who blocked it from their memories), the style is when a top flares out at the waist, immediately making you look pregnant. It’s unflattering on everyone (even 5’10” models with 0% body fat).
Fans of the look claim it’s “waist-defining”. And while I do love pieces that cinch at the waist and/or create interesting shapes, that simply isn’t the case here. Because instead of emphasizing your waist, the material just sort of hangs there limply, like a curtain for your stomach.
To be fair, there is a sliding scale of awfulness when it comes to peplum tops. The worst offenders are those that flare out right at your belly button, essentially turning your outfit into maternitywear. The least offensive are those that flare at the very bottom, creating more of a ruffle hem.
Regardless, do not let the fashion gods fool you! While I may have been convinced to revisit cargo pants, I refuse to give in to peplum, and so should you! So, I urge you, just say “no” to peplum and save your future self from having to say, “what on Earth was I thinking?!
READ THIS NEXT
ALAÏA, The Row, Zimmermann, And More Designer Dupes You Didn’t Know You Could Get on Amazon
