In a previous post about the latest trend of peplums, it discussed the different outfits to wear them on. In this post it will be more in depth about the history and how to make your own peplum outifts.
The peplum isn’t a new trend but more of a comeback. The peplum detail is actually from the 1940’s then revamped in the 1980’s and has found its way back again in this decade. When the peplum first started it was to accentuate the female body by making the waist appear slimmer and the hips wider,all around emphasizing the female curves. It started with novelist Nancy Mitford when she wrote about it in her book, Have You Heard About The New Look?, “you pad the hip and girdle the waist”. In 1947 when Christian Dior launched “New Look” series for women, it re-set women’s “X”, or hourglass, contour style.
peplums in the 1940’s
When Peplums reappeared in the 1980’s it was more attached to party dresses and the detail was as big as the skirt. They added something extra to the already extravagant dresses from that time. Peplums were seen everywhere from department store windows to shows like Dynasty.
peplums from the 1980
In the first part there was plenty of references on the different types of peplums worn today, but sometimes it’s difficult to find the right color or just the right length for you. Below is a video to add a peplum to a skirt or dress as a belt and here is a tutorial if you are good at sewing and want to have the peplum attached to the dress.
The Girl Next Door 