Pick up a peplum and show off your waistline (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Pick up a peplum and show off your waistline

8:32am Tuesday 20th March 2012 in Fashion & Beauty By Lisa Haynes

It was an ensemble fit for a day with The Queen, quite literally.

When Kate Middleton stepped out accompanying Her Majesty wearing an on-trend Forties-inspired LK Bennett peplum suit, she combined elegance with some serious fashion prowess. And so the mini catwalk trend for peplums went mainstream...

Check out dresses, tops, skirts and jackets on the high street rails and many have undergone a peplum makeover; some subtle, while others verge on Lady Gaga-esque territory.

But this extra flared ‘overskirt’ detail shouldn’t feel scary. Think of the peplum as a waistline exaggerator – pick carefully and it’s your stylish shortcut to an hourglass figure.

Time to parade your peplum like a princess.

FASHION FLARE
Make a statement in the spring breeze with a voluminous number that moves as you strut with Warehouse’s peplum skirt, £45 (0845 1222251/warehouse.co.uk).

SKIRT THE ISSUE
You don’t have to go full pelt with a peplum, just look for subtle skirted detailing either side of your waist, like Lipsy’s printed dress, £65, available from April (lipsy.co.uk).

DAISY DELIGHT
Peplums needn’t have a plain backdrop. Try Primark’s pretty daisy print top featuring contrast Peter Pan collar, £7 (0118 9606300).

FLORAL FANCY
Look blooming marvellous and tick off two major trends in one go with Marks & Spencer’s Limited Collection floral peplum skirt, £32 (0845 3021234/ marksand spencer.com).

ON-TREND OUTERWEAR
Invest in a new jacket for spring. Wondaland’s Bianca jacket features gold bling detail, a waist-cinching belt and a flattering flared peplum hem, £270 (wondaland.co.uk).

BLACK MAGIC
A peplum looks oh-so-chic in monochrome. River Island’s classic black top is the separate to be seen in to transform your skirt closet, £25 (020 89914904).

DRESS UP
A bold print will disguise a peplum if you’re feeling hesitant. Try Oasis’ petal-tastic floral peplum dress, £85, available from April 1 (oasis-stores.com).

LACE IT UP
With lace being one of the hottest fabrics of the season, you’ll look like a green goddess in Next’s peplum top, £24 (0844 8448000/next.co.uk).

POWER PEPLUM
Bright, bold and only for the brave, take the peplum plunge with an exaggerated silhouette wearing Love Label’s pink skirt, £29 (0844 8222321/very.co.uk).

TRUE BLUE
Cobalt is fast becoming fashion’s shade to be seen in. Get the blues with Gok for TU’s figure-flattering peplum top, £30 (0800 636262/sainsburys.co.uk/gok).