peplum

Short flared overskirt

A peplum is a short flared ruffle or overskirt attached at the waist of a jacket, blouse, or dress, creating fullness at the hips: The fitted jacket had a flattering peplum.

The style evokes 1940s fashion but cycles in and out of popularity.

In film, a peplum is a sword-and-sandal epic set in ancient times—from the short tunics worn by the characters.

detail

flounce

Ornamental gathered fabric strip

draping · pleating · gathering · tuck · trim · edging · layer · godet · shirring · fabric

garment

blouse

Loose-fitting upper garment

  • jacketSleeved upper-body covering
  • topUppermost part or surface
  • bodiceFitted upper garment

waistline · hemline · silhouette · skirt · sleeve · fitted · flared · short · overskirt · basque

style

vintage

Quality from past eras

  • retroEvoking recent past
  • 1940sFourth decade, twentieth century
  • 1950sDecade after WWII

classic · Hollywood · glamour · feminine · elegant · chic · sophisticated · timeless · ladylike · tailored

film

sword-and-sandal

Ancient world adventure films

epic · biblical · Italian · 1960s · muscleman · antiquity · chariot · mythology · sandal · centurion

Categories
Opposites
silhouette and fit

peplumfitted

Shaped to conform

bodycon · streamlined · sheath · form-fitting · sleek

garment length/coverage

peplumfull skirt

Wide, gathered lower garment

maxi skirt · circle skirt · train · floor-length · full-length

Phrases
Family

peplums

Familiarity
Top 1,000,000
Profile
Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Rated G