The Stars and all the Peplum

Earlier this week Tessa Thompson attended an event at Lincoln Centre in honour of Robert Downey Jr and Susan Downey. This is such a good dress on her – it looks light and breezy and the pockets are fun and convenient for a steezy pose, and it’s not necessarily a true peplum but it’s giving peplum.

There’s been a lot of peplum the last few months on the red carpet, and peplum has shown up several times in Cannes during the festival and at other events. Some examples – Diane Kruger in a gorgeous black and white David Koma dress.

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And Cynthia Erivo at her MBE investiture yesterday in custom Givenchy by Sarah Burton, a black peplum jacket over long tulle skirt and flip through the carousel to see those stunning creamy grey mary janes, square toe but a sharp V-toe … I WANT THEM SO MUCH SO BAD.

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And this candidate for the BEST LOOK OF THE YEAR, and it’s definitely her best look ever – Chloe Zhao in Schiaparelli, holy sh-t. When she wants to turn it up, she turns it allllll the way the f-ck up. I’m f-cked up over how hard she threw it down.

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To go back to Tessa though, her dress is Ferragamo so, like all the peplum I’ve just shown you, pretty much unattainable for the rest of us. But the peplum isn’t just on the red carpet, it’s all over my rack at work. Our stylist is pulling a lot of peplum, I just wore a peplum set today on the show, there’s so much peplum out there at different price points.

Floral peplum is a good idea for a summer wedding – the Kalissa Peplum Gown is strapless like Tessa’s and it’s a standard, you can wear it to a wedding every year if you want. I was worried I wouldn’t be tall enough for it but it worked on me, under a cropped white sweater with heels. That was the only reason we didn’t keep it, because I didn’t want to commit to a heel, LOL.

Hello Molly’s Lush Life Peplum Strapless Maxi Dress is similar and less expensive. And because of the material, this one did look better with flats.

The Dakota Mini Dress at Revolve isn’t pure peplum but the hint of it is there in the dramatic flair of the skirt and it’s so pretty, I just wanted to show you, someone needs to wear this!

Here’s one that is so me that definitely stayed on the rack and is waiting to be seen. The Damson Madder Audrey Puff-Sleeve Organic Cotton Midi Dress has puff sleeves and a preppy peasant vibe. Plus the colour is unusual and like shown on the model, works with loafers and other flats, even sneakers. Also it’s on sale for a great price.

Self-Portrait probably puts out at least a peplum every season. The White Linen Blend Peplum Mini is a standard, will never go out of style. This isn’t my lane but I saw it on a colleague last week on another show and it was so flattering on her.

Here’s another Self-Portrait from last season, also a standard. This one is a midi-dress in the loveliest shade of pink and I love how the waffle knit feels on the body.

Let’s talk about peplum jackets now, because this is where you can get max wear out of the peplum. I have several peplum jackets in my personal wardrobe, in a variety of materials and they work with almost everything. For example, the Adidas Chinese collection peplum jacket I’m wearing in this photo:

I’ve worn it over a short feather tutu, as shown, but also a long tutu and jeans and trousers. Simon’s actually has a version of this jacket that’s not a bad dupe, especially considering that price point, under $60.

The Rosalind Peplum Jacket by Ulla Johnson was one of the best I tried on. The texture looks great in ivory, and the double band at the neck is a cute feature. It’s not cheap but it’s on sale so it’s cheaper than it used to be.

If you like the no collar feature in the Ulla Johnson, H&M has a collarless peplum in two colourways that’s so much more affordable and I’m keeping it in the beige shade for the show, on days when the air conditioning is too intense. You can wear this all-year round.

Sandro is a brand that usually keeps a lot of peplum in stock. This isn’t a jacket but it could be something you come back to again and again. The black peplum tank crop is on sale right now and it’s a good staple to have in your closet, especially on holiday somewhere warm, it’s a solid standby dinner look over high waist shorts, skirts, and trousers.

The Kimchi Blue Matilda Short Sleeve Peplum Denim Jacket is closer to a top than a jacket but it too would travel well and it’s under $100. Like over white linen pants or a pair of white shorts? That’s a June, July, August outfit.

Back to jackets – and this one is an all-star: Ganni’s Denim Peplum is a 10/10, no notes. I’m obsessed with the oversized collar, and the light wash, and the peplum ripples perfectly. I have a work trip in a few weeks and she is definitely coming.

Ganni’s Denim Peplum from a previous season was pleated, with a more sculptured sleeve. I wore it last year. This is a pretty special jacket, it’s on sale, and there is one left in XXXL; for what it’s worth, I went up two sizes from my standard size because I wanted it to be longer and was really happy with how that worked out.

But H&M’s version of the denim peplum is worthy competition. Two colourways, selling out fast, because that price, under $60, is unmatchable.

If you’re into a slouchier peplum option, the Agolde Rubik denim peplum drops lower along the body but you still get the flare. This one, for me, might be a keeper, because I like a good hang, and this one hangs exactly right. I tried it on over a khaki cargo skirt and I wanted to make it my uniform.

Finally, this is not a peplum jacket. But it’s suuuuuuch an adorable jacket that is on sale right now that I hope someone out there loves as much as I do. The Marc Jacobs Gingham Tweed Jacket is the girl who will never stop giving. The pattern is forever chic. The Peter Pan collar won’t let you down. The cut, especially the back, is playful and fun. And, again, it’s almost 50% off.

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