Picture a typical going out outfit circa 2010. Chances are it involves a pair of skinny jeans worn with a peplum top. If that image makes you cringe, prepare to cringe some more because guess what? Yes, just like how painted-on denim has been steadily creeping back into the social consciousness, the trend cycle has also brought back another controversial Millennial silhouette: the peplum. But before you dust off that American Apparel one from the depths of your closet, the 2026 iteration is a more sculptural, elegant version that calls for creative styling.
Giovanni Giannoni/WWD
Take a cue from the spring 2026 runways, which offered up ample evidence for the peplum’s return along with ideas on how to wear it. Phoebe Philo’s version, a backless white tank with a dramatic ruffle that curves across the waist and up the shoulder blades transforms the silhouette into an avant-garde sculpture. Worn with long cream colored shorts that featured fraying hems, the balance of casual and glamorous feels appropriately fresh. Meanwhile over at Dries Van Noten, Julian Klausner teamed a classic gray bustier peplum with a printed skirt while another look featured low slung trousers with the waist accent worn with a bralette.
Courtesy of Adam Lippes.
Over at Adam Lippes, the designer made it a point to include peplums in his collection. “We played a lot with exaggerated proportions this season and we really wanted to bring attention back to a woman’s waist. The silhouette of an accentuated waist is an enduring symbol of classical femininity and in many ways, power,” he said of the decision. The result was a sleek white ruffled top, when worn with matching trousers felt both modern and refreshing while another floral skirt embodied a playful feminine energy that personified warm weather dressing. “Although the silhouette can traditionally lend itself to evening, our modern approach was to find ways to incorporate it into sportswear and day dressing. They look great over our denim slouchy pants and equally as wonderful over skirts, be it flared for a more relaxed expression or pencil for a more streamlined sharper take,” he explained.
Adam Lippes
Courtesy of Adam Lippes.
Detractors might write this off as the epitome of millennial cringe but for a new generation, the peplum is just waiting to be embraced as yet another vestige of the era that feels fresh again. Perhaps Lippes puts the rationale for its comeback and acceptance by the public best, “For the most part, this is universally flattering and as newer generations are introduced to these silhouettes, it’s inevitable that it would be an exciting ‘new discovery’ for them. That’s the nature of the fashion trend cycle.”
