Peplum...But I Have Hips!

This Edition: Am I supposed to wear that? 

I have been leery of trying the peplum trend because I have hips. Won't peplum skirts or dresses accentuate them or make me look wider? Well, that depends! Here are some looks with peplum that would work on women with (and without!) curves.

The Peplum Skirt: 

Express

This peplum skirt works because the peplum is close to the body (doesn't stick out and add inches!), and the skirt is higher-waisted, which means the peplum is actually above the hips. The peplum also has a wrap effect, which draws the eye toward the center (as opposed to the sides) of the skirt.

The Peplum Dress: 

Alice + Olivia

I love this take on the peplum dress. The peplum is only on one side and stays close to the body, which gives the dress a unique look and flatters any body type.

Alice + Olivia

This dress is also Alice + Olivia. I like the monochromatic look and the flattering peplum that stops just above the hips. The length of the skirt and monochromatic grey color elongates the body, which will help you from looking "hippy" or disproportionate.

The Peplum Blouse:

Coach Tour Top

Interesting focal points work with any type of peplum, but especially peplum tops because they can tend to look boxy (especially if the peplum is set too high on the waist). This top has a great asymmetrical neckline and waistband that keep it from looking boxy or too plain. The peplum bottom is balanced out by the heavy collar/neckline.

Robert Rodriguez

If you decide to go the fancy route with a lace or other type of dressy peplum blouse, keep the rest of your outfit simple and slim. Pair this top with dark skinny jeans, skinny leather pants, or a knee-length, fitted pencil skirt (any shorter will make you look stumpy). You can also add a belt at the waist to more simple peplum tops to make them more visually appealing.

The Peplum Jacket: 

Dorothy Perkins

I'm definitely in love with this textured peplum jacket. It has a Victorian flair and would be very flattering on anyone! The pleating in the front and back keep the sides from popping out too much while maintaining the excess material needed in the peplum style. The contrasting color on the lapels is slimming, especially if you were to wear a black top underneath. This jacket could be dressed up with a tailored dress or slacks and a button-down blouse, or it could be dressed down (and left open) with a plain white tee/tank and a pair of skinny jeans.

The Peplum Cardigan:

Zara

This peplum cardigan from Zara is really cozy-looking but also chic. Keeping the cardigan open softens the lines, and pairing it with a simple tank/tee and skinny jeans keeps it from looking too stuffy.

Printed Jeans?

This trend has been around for a couple of seasons, but is still in for Fall of 2012! Yippee!(?) It's printed jeans. I am going to be upfront here: I do not own any printed jeans. I barely own any clothing with a print because I have been too reserved in my clothing choices. I have been slowly introducing prints into my wardrobe over the last year or so, and maybe printed jeans should be next. BUT: What am I supposed to wear with them?

There are some really hideous printed jeans out there. Not all printed jeans are created equally. I prefer a print that isn't "out there." So, no bold flower prints for me! The key to wearing any printed item of clothing is to make it the focal point of your outfit. That means no other prints, please! Or at least, keep other prints muted and more reserved. Less is more here.

Here are some printed jeans that I think are really cute and what I would wear with them.

Outfit #1: Animal Print!

Rather than an obvious leopard or cheetah print, I would go for this watercolor-effect animal print. It's more subtle, but the color makes them pop. I'd pair these with a black tunic top and blazer to keep the animal print from looking cheap. I'd wear a pair of boots as well.

Express: Stella Printed Jeans

LC Lauren Conrad Boyfriend Blazer

Victoria's Secret Must-Have V-Neck

Quipid Neo-144 Boots

Outfit #2: Floral Print!

This floral print is really subtle, which I love. Floral jeans are hard to wear because depending on the colors and print, you could end up looking like you raided a 5-year-old's closet. I'd wear these jeans with a tunic, ballet flats, and a scarf with a different, contrasting pattern.

Victoria's Secret Fleece Off-Shoulder Tunic

DKNY Floral Skinny Jeans

Dana Buchman Ballet Flats

Mossimo Python Scarf

Outfit #3: Snake Print!

These snake print jeans are really cute and sort of look plaid from a distance, which is like getting two patterns for the price of one! I'd wear this with a jewel-toned top, and heels to dress it up.

Haute Hippie Snake Print Jeans

Victoria's Secret Silk Shirt

Express Long Chain and Bead Knot Necklace

ASOS Paris Oxblood Heels

Outfit #4: Leaf Print!

I love these leaf print jeans! They are awesome! I'd wear anything with these jeans, but here is an example of an outfit that would work. I'd stick to a black color palate, but I would add a green belt at the natural waist over the sweater for a sublte pop of color.

Paige Denim Skyline Leaf-Print Jeggings

Lands' End Canvas Suede Belt

Mossimo Cowl Neck Sweater

Hailey Jeans Co. Buckled Bootie

Moccassin Booties

Target Mossimo Kyah Bootie

I just bought a pair of cute moccasin booties from Target. I have been waiting to wear them because I had no clue what to wear them with. I put together a few ideas for anyone else who has been wondering what to wear with these really cute booties. I have also included some other styles of moccasins and other brands of booties for variety.







Spring/Summer

Gap Shirtdress

For the spring and summer, these boots would be adorable with a cute LWD (little white dress). It would also work with a pair of denim shorts and a light-weight button-down shirt or a tank top with a light cardigan.

VS Boyfriend Shorts

Gap Embroidered Lace Dress

VS Boyfriend Shirt

VS Swing Tank

MNG Mango Cardigan

Fall/Winter
Transitioning into the fall and winter will be fairly easy. You could pair skinny jeans (and almost any top) with moccasin booties. This would look cute with a simple tee and a blazer or structured jacket. Alternatively, you could wear them with a skirt or dress and tights. A third option would be to wear them with a tunic and leggings.

Style&Co. Sweaterdress

J. Crew Factory Dress

Target Mossimo Sweater Skirt

Simply Vera Leggings

Hanes Cable-Knit Tights

LOFT Peasant Top

LOFT Striped Tunic

AE Jeggings

Banana Republic Essential V-Neck

White House Black Market Blazer

Express (Minus) the Leather Peplum Jacket

LOFT Sweater Blazer

Canvas Lands' End Kensington Oxford

Canvas Lands' End Mohair Sweater Vest

Some More Moccasins

Here are a few more styles, colors, and brands (and prices) of moccasins that would work well with the clothing above.

Payless Brash Ryan Moc Bootie

Minnetonka Double Fringe Bootie

Steve Madden Takoda Fringe Moccasin Boot

Minnetonka Calf Hi Moccasin Boots

Target Mossimo Kamiah Moccasin

Arizona Felicia Moccasin