My Present Passion: Peplum

pep·lum/ˈpepləm/ : A short flared, gathered, or pleated strip of fabric attached at the waist of a woman’s jacket, dress, or blouse.

Also, currently the most adorable detail that gives an emsemble instant class, while accentuating curves.  It’s been popping up on the catwalk and red carpet for the past couple of years and now it’s easier to find online and in stores.  Scroll down for how you can add some peplum to your wardrobe.

       

Where it has been seen

Alexander McQueen, Spring 2012, Photos courtey of Marcus Tondo/GoRunway.com

alice + olivia, Pre-fall 2012

alice + olivia, Fall 2012

Bottega Veneta, Fall 2012, Photos courtesy of Yannis Vlamos/GoRunway.com

Burberry Prorsum Spring 2012, Christian Dior Spring 2012 and Badgley Mischka Spring 2012, Photos courtesy of Yannis Vlamos and Marcus Tondo of GoRunway.com

Dolce & Gabbana Fall 2012, Sachika Fall 2011, Elizabeth and James Fall 2012, Photos courtesy of Yannis Vlamos/GoRunway.com, Sachika, Elizabeth and James

Lanvin Fall 2012, Photos courtesy of Yannis Vlamos/GoRunway.com

Rebecca Taylor Fall 2012, Milly Fall 2012, 10 Crosby Derek Lam Fall 2012, Photos courtesy of Yannis Vlamos/GoRunway.com, 10 Crosby Derek Lam

Tory Burch Fall 2012, Zac Posen Fall 2012, Photos courtesy of Yannis Vlamos and Alessandro Viero of GoRunway.com

  

Who is wearing it

Blake Lively, Ashley Greene, Michelle Williams, Dianna Agron

Emma Watson, Leelee Sobieski, Liv Tyler, Beyoncé

Jennifer Aniston, Charlize Theron, Jennifer Hudson, Emma Stone

  

How you can get it

Peplum is adorable on dresses and tops worn with pencil skirts or slim pants.  I just ordered a peplum dress from GoJane.com and I’m impatiently waiting for it to arrive just in time for spring.  Below are a few more options that I found online.  You can also try belting longer, flowy shirts to create a similar flared effect.  When doing so, select a wider belt and tops with a round or sweetheart neckline to convey a vintage vibe.  Update it with a top that is printed, sleeveless or has a deep V-neck and try an embellished belt.

My new dress: Zipper Peplum Dress $34 from Go Jane

Floral Tube Peplum Top $25.30 from Go Jane

Stripe Peplum Dress $26.50 from Go Jane

L.A. or Bustier $44.99 from Mod Cloth

Irresistable Enchantress Peplum Dress $169.99 from Mod Cloth

Eternal Flame of Love Peplum Skirt $42.99 from Mod Cloth

Bronze and Brains Peplum Skirt $72.99 from Mod Cloth

Broken Levels Skirt $138 from Anthropologie

Awear Floral Peplum Top $44.76 from Asos

Rare Peplum Dress $44.76 from Asos

Peplum Tee $16.90 from Alloy

Francesca Dress $1,495 from J. Crew

My current thoughts on Jen (Aniston)

I am in the middle of blogging about my trip to New York but I must comment on an article I read online today.  It’s titled “Jennifer Aniston flirts with all her Wanderlust co-stars… but keeps her distance from boyfriend Justin Theroux” and it can be found here.  She’s too clingy, then she’s too flirty, now she’s too focused on her career at a movie premiere?  I’m not a HUGE Jen fan and I don’t assume to “know” anyone I’ve never met.  But she seems like a beautiful, funny, sweet chick.  She’s best friends with Chelsea Handler, who’s never afraid of speaking her mind.  So if she sucked I’m sure the world would know it.

Side note: I think that fame must suck at times for celebrities, especially the stories that entertainment reporters fabricate in the media.  Yeah, yeah, I know it’s part of the deal.  The millions they earn must make it worth it.  Blah, blah, blah…  Either way, it would just suck if I couldn’t take my dog for a walk without the risk of being photographed, heckled and possibly run over by a pushy paparazzo.  Or attend a premiere and be criticized for either being too distant or too lovey-dovey with my boyfriend.

Anywho, what particularly annoyed me about this article was that the writer said Jen, oh lovely, sweet Jen, “failed to shine.”  I understand that the job of an entertainment writer is to take an event and add some BS to create a “story” about a celebrity.  They’re fair game!  (My mother taught me to treat others how I would like to be treated.  Not everyone is this lucky.)  But who can deny that Jen was not glowing in these photos?!  He also said that her dress “looked more like something worn to a dinner party than a Hollywood premiere.”  This dress by Tom Ford is perfect.  I pinned it!  Peplum + leather + black & white chevron = So chic!  Maybe a little less glam or sexy, but I welcome the change of pace.  As for Jen and Justin’s matching name rings, who cares!  They’re fun!

It seems Mr. Larkin changed his tune halfway through the day because he then posted this article, “One step away from the real thing! Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux pledge their commitment with matching name rings,” which can be found here.  In it he said, “Jennifer shone in a grey corseted dress.”  Mr. Larkin, I forgive you.  Not everyone knows fashion.  Hell, I don’t claim to!  I just enjoy it.  And I imagine neither of us knows Jen.  Shame on you for pretending.  I hope you don’t fail to shine again.  Especially when it comes to lovely Jen.