If you’ve ever worn a top that shows your belly bulge, you will want to explore peplum tops. I had no idea what these lovely creations were until I stumbled upon them in the store one day by accident.
It was at a used clothing store.
I have never seen these types of tops for sale anywhere else, but then I haven’t really looked specifically for them.
I’ve tried to find them in places like Walmart where I usually shop, but I couldn’t find any.
I wanted to sew my own, but up until now, I haven’t had the time. Next month I plan to go on a shopping trip and I really hope I can find one of these beauties.
I know you can get them online, but because I am going to brick-and-mortar stores, I’d also like to find out where they sell them.
HIGH-END FASHIONISTA
Peplum tops are not everywhere. They are usually at higher-end stores. When you wear them, you feel like a fashionista, or at least I do.
I don’t know what it is about peplum tops that make you feel this way, but it’s incredible especially if you have a figure like me: No figure at all.
I don’t really have hips. I have a straight racer body. When I was younger, I actually had a defined waist, but now it just blends in with the rest of my body.
As you age and go through menopause, your waist thickens. When I entered menopause, I gained extra weight suddenly. Thankfully, I was able to lose the extra weight I put on by doing Intermittent Fasting.
I was thankful I lost weight, but my waist still doesn’t look like it did when I was 25. It’s still thick because of my age and there isn’t much you can do about that.
I suppose I could start bodybuilding, but I’m not really into that. If that’s you, go for it. I’ve seen many women over 50 that can rock a 6 pack.
But for the majority of us, we just want to have a flat (ish) stomach and be as healthy as possible.
Because of the intermittent fasting lifestyle I’ve adopted over the years, I maintain my body fat quite nicely, but it’s never going to be perfect. The average woman will still have some lumps and bumps no matter what diet or workout program they are on.
That’s just normal.
For the most part, I don’t have a lot of bulges anymore, but that still depends on what I wear. Let’s face it, you can look flabby or chunky depending on what type of clothing you wear and what kind of underwear you have on.
We gals know that even a skinny person that works out in the gym every day can still look like they have a belly. If they wear the wrong pair of leggings, wrong top, or underwear, bulges will appear.
It happens to me all the time and drives me crazy. I always have to watch what I wear with what.
But, as soon as I put on my one-and-only peplum top, I feel like a fashionista. Suddenly I have shape and definition again.
Suddenly, I feel like I’m well put together even if I’m wearing a pair of old jeans.
That’s incredible!
I want more of that!
But these amazing tops are hiding amongst a plethora of other garments for sale, especially at a thrift store. I suppose the reason why I can’t find any at my favorite second-hand shop is that nobody wants to get rid of them.
They make you feel so amazing. Why would you ever want to throw it away?
NARROWS YOUR WAIST
One of the huge benefits you get from wearing peplum tops is that they create a waist for you even if you don’t really have one. Like me.
They bring attention to the narrowest part of your body even if looks like the widest. Peplum tops make it look that way, and that is the most amazing part of it.
It’s figure-flattering.
It makes you look like you have a high waist.
The design is cut right under the breast usually and sits right on the smallest part of your rib cage.
I’ve seen some that are slightly lower, but even they look great.
The idea behind peplum tops is sort of like how A-line dresses narrow the waist. Those types of dresses are flattering on any body type, even plus sizes.
Peplum tops are basically an A-line dress chopped in half.
It’s such a creative design, and it works like a charm, especially if you want to create a waist where you don’t really have one at all.
For menopausal women especially, this type of top will create a waist for you at a time in your life when you feel you have lost all shape and femininity.
It gives you back your self-esteem and makes you feel like a woman again.
If I could wear a peplum top every single day of my life, I would.
I just have to get more of them because, as I mentioned before, I only have one.
That is certainly not going to do!
CREATES ILLUSION
As I mentioned before, the peplum top creates a waist for you even if you don’t really have one. That’s called an illusion.
The great thing about clothing is you can fool the eye. If you feel fat and bloated one day, just slip on a peplum top and you will suddenly feel shapely and feminine.
The bottom part of a peplum top resembles a mini circle-skirt. It flares out at the bottom but only for about 5 inches or so. There are tops that are supposed to be peplum tops but they resemble maternity tops.
That’s not what I’m talking about here.
I am talking about a fitted garment.
Once again, it’s the same illusion you get from an A-line dress or a circle skirt. These types of dresses were popular in the ’50s for good reason and they are becoming more popular again.
Women wore them for a purpose. They created an hourglass figure even if you had more of a boxy shape. How smart is that!
Peplum tops do the same thing. They are basically like a chopped off 50’s dress. They create an illusion and make it look like you have the perfect hourglass body figure.
What woman doesn’t want that?
COVERS BELLY BULGES
One of the greatest things about peplum tops is that they cover your bulges. That is perfect for any woman because we all have bulges.
Post-partum moms can hugely benefit from these types of tops, as well as plus size women.
Peplum tops can look good on menopausal women as well as younger more petite women. Really, women of all body types can benefit from wearing these kinds of tops.
They are universal.
I can’t tell you how many times peplum tops saved the day. On days that I felt fat, as soon as I put on my peplum top, I felt slim again. It suddenly transformed me into a fashionable slim woman and I didn’t even need any Spanx.
It doesn’t even matter what you wear with them. You can wear them with old jeans. fashion jeans, dress pants, casual pants. You can even wear them with skirts and shorts.
They are very versatile.
I need more peplum tops!
WHERE CAN YOU BUY THEM?
If you’re wondering where you can buy peplum tops, so am I.
Let’s find out.
You might find these tops listed under fit-and-flare instead of peplum tops. That may be why I can’t seem to find anything like it in brick-and-mortar stores.
I can find plenty of tops that look like maternity under fit-and-flare, but that’s not what I’m looking for. That’s not a real peplum top. A fit-and-flare is designed to cover everything and look bulky.
Bulky is not what we are going for here.
What we are going for is the hourglass shape.
If you look in the higher-end stores you can probably find them. I found some at Suzy Shier, American Eagle, Macy’s, Nordstrom, and Old Navy.
I’m sure you can find them in other places, but even when you Google them, there isn’t a lot of information. What usually comes up is the maternity look I was talking about. Booo!
The best place I have found to buy a real peplum top is online.
Amazon has some great ones.
Check out this amazing peplum top made out of lace. You can click the Amazon affiliate link below and see what I mean. It’s made out of lace and looks so feminine. This version of a peplum top has a cascading back that looks beautiful.
There are more casual peplum tops you can buy on Amazon as well. I found a great one below that comes in many different colors. Its seen here in white, but check out the other color options as well by clicking on the picture.
When it comes to the length of the ruffle at the bottom, you will want to go as short as possible. I find when the (skirt) part of the top is too long, it doesn’t look as flattering. You lose a little bit of the hourglass effect.
You also don’t want the torso to be too long.
Also, consider how flouncy it looks. Some popular peplum tops are quite wild and look clownish. You don’t want to feel like you are wearing a Halloween costume unless that is what you’re going for.
Another thing to consider it the fabric. If it feels like cardboard or foam, you may be sorry you bought it. Read the Amazon reviews first. You can always find truth in that.
Fabric is important so choose wisely.
Of course, you can buy whatever you like. Just make sure you’re happy with your purchase.
If you are a person that is hard to fit and you really need to try it on before you commit to buying it, you can always get a peplum top tailor-made for you. That way you can choose your own fabric and design.
You can also sew it yourself like I plan to do as soon as I can. Check out some of my creations on my sewing website called, Katfit Stitch.
I usually craft my own patterns, but I’ve found a peplum top pattern for you if you don’t self-draft. Check out the following Amazon affiliate link, Peplum Top by Simplicity for more details.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, I just wanted to say that peplum tops revolutionized my wardrobe, and I know it can for you as well.
Check some of the designs out that I posted, and hopefully you will see how wonderful these kinds of tops are as well. They really are figure-flattering and stylish as well.
Now, go out and buy a peplum top today!
You won’t regret it!
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Author Kathleen Morris
Kathleen Morris is a successful published author, blogger, and Youtuber. She enjoys writing about things she’s passionate about and making a difference in the world.