Peplum returns to the runway

Peplum dresses—those that have a short, often ruffled trim at the waist over the skirt—are hitting the runway after two previous incarnations. Peplum had its original heyday in the 1940s, with longer hems and narrower skirts characterizing the trend. In the 1980s, peplum reappeared for both work and play, with much shorter hemlines in action.

This skirt-on-a-skirt trend has been creeping its way back into women’s fashion over the past year, but the first few days of New York Fashion Week revealed a vibrant reemergence of peplum in the lines you’ll see this coming spring.

Peplum isn’t a style for every figure, but those who seek a more accentuated waistline will get assistance from the look. For those who are skeptical of how they’ll look in peplum, rest assured that next season’s popular styles, although quite colorful on the runway this week, will likely also be offered in ever-slimming black.

Here are a few examples of this look from New York Fashion Week:

Color-blocking is popular, and now you can this cinched waist ruffle (by Ruffian) to the club. Photo via New York Magazine.

Michelle Obama loves Jason Wu, but I’m not sure if I see her in this particular look. Photo via Racked.

TSE put a modern flair on peplum with large pleating. I think it counts, in a new, sleek way.