Peplum tops are back, but the new ones are cut cleaner, with a softer flare and less of the tight, matchy styling the shape used to come with. I now build them around straight denim, fluid trousers and plain skirts, and I keep accessories quiet so the waist does the talking. Below are twenty ways I'd wear a LOFT peplum, and they show how far the silhouette can be for workdays without feeling like a uniform, plus a few weekend, travel and warm-weather versions. Each one comes with the bottoms, shoes, layers and bag I'd reach for. Swap colors and fabrics freely; the proportions matter far more than the exact pieces, whether your top is printed, sleeveless, textured or button-front.
Fitting a Peplum Top Before You Buy It
Almost every peplum problem I fix starts in the fitting room, so this is what I check before anything gets styled. First, the seam where the flare begins. It should sit right at your natural waist, the narrowest point above your belly button. If it lands lower, the flare starts at the hips and adds width exactly where most people don't want it. If it lands higher, it behaves like a babydoll top.
Second, the bodice. It should skim your ribs without pulling across the bust. Pull lines pointing toward the buttons or the side seams mean you need the next size, even if the waist then feels a little loose. A loose waist can be taken in by a tailor; a tight bust can't be let out.
- Raise both arms. If the waist seam climbs well above your trousers, the body is too short for you.
- Look at the flare from the side. A stiff, flat flare stands out like a shelf; a softer drape falls toward the hip and is easier to wear daily.
- Sit down. The flare should rest on your lap, not bunch up toward your chest.
- Check the hem length against your usual trouser rise. The flare should cover the waistband with an inch or two to spare.
For work, I steer people toward medium-weight fabrics like crepe or ponte. They hold the flare through a full day without wrinkling, and they don't show underwear seams under office lights.
1. LOFT Peplum Top With Straight Leg Jeans
A LOFT peplum top with straight leg jeans is the pairing I suggest first to anyone nervous about the shape, because the plain leg calms the flare down. Medium wash reads relaxed; dark wash looks tidier for the office. The thing I check before anything else is the rise: the jeans need to reach your natural waist, or the flare drops onto the waistband and bunches. Pointed ballet flats, low slingbacks or clean white sneakers all work, with a structured shoulder bag and small hoops. If the top has a busy print, keep the denim, shoes and bag neutral so the print has the stage to itself.
2. Black LOFT Peplum Top With Wide Leg Trousers
Black peplum, high-waisted wide leg trousers: it's the closest thing to a suit that still feels soft. Ivory, camel, taupe or pale gray trousers give contrast, and black trousers turn it into one long column. I look for a flat waistband and a fluid fabric, because pleats and thick belt loops push the peplum outward like a shelf. Pointed pumps add length, though low mules or sharp flats are kinder on a long day. A structured tote, slim watch and small gold earrings are enough. Since both pieces already have shape, skip oversized jewelry and bulky jackets; a collarless coat or a fitted blazer is the most I'd add when it's cold.
3. White LOFT Peplum Top With Tailored Shorts
On hot days I like a white LOFT peplum with tailored shorts in beige, navy, olive or light blue. Go high-rise, with a flat front and a slightly loose leg; a mid-thigh or longer length is what keeps it from looking like beachwear. Leather slides, woven sandals or low espadrilles suit it, along with a straw tote or a small crossbody for errands and sightseeing. Delicate hoops and one thin bracelet are plenty. White cotton can show everything underneath in direct sun, so check it by a window before you leave and add a smooth camisole close to your skin tone if needed. I'd wear it to outdoor lunches and on vacation.
4. Floral LOFT Peplum Top With White Jeans
Crisp white jeans make a floral LOFT peplum look fresh rather than fussy. Straight, slim or slightly cropped legs all balance the extra volume at the waist. My shortcut for color is to pull one of the quieter shades out of the print for the shoes and bag: nude slingbacks, tan sandals or pale flats with a neutral shoulder bag. Puff sleeves or a detailed neckline mean no necklace, just studs. White denim shows pocket bags and underwear lines, so I always choose a heavier denim and smooth, no-show underwear. It's a good alternative to a dress for spring lunches, daytime celebrations and family gatherings.
5. LOFT Peplum Top With Black Ankle Pants
Black ankle pants are the dependable office base for a LOFT peplum, and the cropped length shows a bit of ankle that keeps the flared top from looking heavy. A striped, dotted or softly colored blouse brightens the black, while a black or ivory peplum makes it minimal. Choose pointed flats, kitten heels or block-heel pumps based on how much walking your day involves, and carry a medium structured tote. A slim bracelet and small earrings finish it. The mistake I see most is a long cardigan that stops right where the peplum flares; two hemlines at the same spot crowd the middle. A tailored coat that clears the flare is the better layer.
6. Denim LOFT Peplum Top With Ecru Pants
A denim LOFT peplum with ecru pants gives you the feel of double denim without the heaviness. Straight or slightly wide legs with a high rise let the top define the waist. Ecru, in denim or cotton twill, looks airy from spring into early fall. Tan loafers, cognac sandals or neutral sneakers sit naturally between blue and cream, and a woven bag or a structured leather one sets how casual it reads. Gold-tone jewelry suits the palette. If the top has chunky buttons or topstitching, I'd keep everything else plain, since denim details already carry plenty of visual weight. Good for travel and casual workdays.
7. Striped LOFT Peplum Top With Navy Pants
Stripes and navy are a pairing I rarely see go wrong. Put a striped LOFT peplum over high-rise navy trousers, straight, tapered or softly flared. White-and-navy stripes stay classic; red, green or pale blue stripes add personality. Tan loafers, ivory slingbacks or clean leather sneakers, then a cognac tote to warm up all that blue. A watch, small hoops and maybe one fine chain are enough. Watch the stripe width at the flare: wide stripes fan out over the peplum and can make the hips look busier than you'd expect, so narrower stripes are the safer pick. In cool weather, a cream trench or short navy jacket should end clearly above or below the peplum hem.
8. LOFT Peplum Top With High Waisted Flare Jeans
High-waisted flare jeans give a peplum top a long, dramatic line while keeping the waist obvious. The jeans should be smooth over the hips and start flaring below the knee. Two flares can fight, so I pair this with a subtle peplum rather than a big ruffled one. Platform sandals, heeled ankle boots or pointed pumps keep the hems off the ground. I'd use a compact shoulder bag, not a large tote, and a pendant necklace to draw the eye down the center. Dark indigo looks sharp with ivory, burgundy, floral or black tops. If you're petite, a cropped flare gets you the same proportions without needing a tall heel.
9. Sleeveless LOFT Peplum Top With Linen Pants
Linen pants take the stiffness out of a sleeveless LOFT peplum. I start with high-rise trousers in beige, white, olive or muted blue, and I'm picky about the waistband: gathered or elasticated fronts add a layer of fabric right under the flare, which makes the hips look wider than they are. A flat front fixes that. Flat leather sandals, woven slides or espadrilles, a raffia bag and light earrings keep the outfit summery. Linen creases within the hour, and that's fine; it's part of the fabric. Bring a cropped cardigan that ends near the waist for air-conditioned offices and restaurants.
10. LOFT Peplum Top With Slim Black Jeans
Slim black jeans are my quiet base when the LOFT peplum is printed or brightly colored. The narrow leg offsets the flare and works for casual evenings and smarter weekends alike. I'd pick jeans with little or no distressing, then wear pointed ankle boots when it's cool or heeled sandals and sleek flats in warmer months. A black crossbody keeps the lower half in one color, and metallic earrings bring light up to the face. Taupe shoes and a matching bag soften it. A leather-look jacket works if it's cropped near the waist or worn open; zipped over the flare, it crushes the shape.
11. LOFT Peplum Top With Pencil Skirt
Could your office wardrobe use a softer option than a tucked-in blouse? A LOFT peplum over a pencil skirt that ends at or just below the knee is one of the most office-ready looks on this list. Black, navy, camel or charcoal skirts go with everything; a small check adds interest. Before buying, I check that the skirt waistband lies flat, since a peplum shows every bump beneath it. Pointed pumps, slingback flats or low block heels, a structured top-handle bag and studs keep it professional. If both pieces are solid, a textured shoe or a scarf tied to the bag adds just enough contrast for presentations, interviews or a business lunch.
12. LOFT Peplum Top With Pleated Midi Skirt
A narrow pleated midi skirt gives a peplum top real movement. The balance depends on the top: I go for a controlled flare and a light, fluid skirt, because a full peplum over full pleats doubles the volume at the hip. A black top with a champagne, blush or patterned skirt looks dressy; ivory over navy is calmer for daytime. Sleek ballet flats, low heeled sandals or pointed mules, with a small shoulder bag and fine jewelry that doesn't fight the pleats. I'd wear it to showers, graduations, luncheons or a creative office. Petite? Choose a hem that ends below the knee, not across the widest part of the calf.
13. LOFT Peplum Top With Cropped Wide Leg Jeans
Cropped wide leg jeans make a peplum top feel relaxed enough for everyday. Pick high-rise denim with a clean waistband and a hem that shows the ankle; that bit of skin keeps the wide leg from swallowing you. A fitted LOFT peplum in white, black, blue or a small print gives enough waist to balance the denim. Pointed flats or slim sneakers keep it grounded, and heeled mules add height when you want it. Add a structured crossbody, sunglasses and medium hoops. Skip the oversized cardigan here, it hides the waist entirely; a cropped utility jacket or short trench suits spring and fall better.
14. LOFT Peplum Top With Faux Leather Pants
Faux leather pants and a peplum top make a good contrast of textures: the shine of the pants against the shaping of the blouse. I'd go slim, straight or gently tapered in black or deep brown, with a top in ivory, burgundy, emerald or a restrained print. Pointed ankle boots, kitten-heel pumps or polished loafers, a small structured bag and simple metallic earrings finish it. Keep the neckline clear if the top already has ruffles, covered buttons or puff sleeves. Faux leather doesn't breathe, so I save this for evenings, dinners and gallery visits in cooler months. For daytime, matte flats and a light neutral coat tone it down.
15. LOFT Peplum Top With A-Line Midi Skirt
An A-line midi skirt with a peplum top only works when the top fits close through the shoulders and waist and flares gently. If both pieces flare hard, the outfit turns into a triangle on a triangle. The skirt should start at or just under your natural waist so no gap opens between the two when you lift your arms. I like a solid top with a printed skirt, or the reverse: a floral peplum with a plain navy or camel skirt. Pointed ballet flats, slingbacks or low block heels, a compact bag and minimal jewelry. Lightweight fabrics on both pieces matter more here than anywhere else on the list.
16. LOFT Peplum Top With Matching Pants
A matching peplum top and pants take most of the thinking out of getting dressed. If your LOFT top has no exact match, trousers in a very close shade make a tonal set that looks deliberate; black, navy, cream, chocolate and soft blue are the easiest to match. Straight or wide legs give a long line. I like contrast in the shoes, ivory pumps with navy or tan sandals with cream, plus a structured bag and small earrings. A slim belt under the peplum can work, but only on tops with a waist seam that lets it lie flat; otherwise it rides up. Presentations, conferences and luncheons are where I'd wear it.
17. LOFT Peplum Top With Denim Midi Skirt
A denim midi skirt gets a lot more shape under a fitted LOFT peplum. I'd choose a straight or slightly A-line skirt with a front slit, which walks better and looks cleaner than heavily distressed denim. White, floral, striped or black tops all suit it, with loafers, flat sandals or low sneakers depending on the season. A crossbody, sunglasses and simple hoops are enough for daytime. Blue denim with tan accessories is classic; black denim with matching shoes looks sharper. One fit check: the peplum should end above the skirt's widest point, or the two hems meet and the outfit loses its waist. Campus, errands and relaxed offices suit it.
18. LOFT Peplum Top With Utility Pants
Utility pants pull a feminine LOFT peplum toward something more casual and current. Olive, khaki or stone, high waist, tapered or straight leg. My one rule: avoid big cargo pockets on the hips, because the peplum already adds width right there. A white, black, striped or eyelet top contrasts nicely with the practical fabric. Simple sneakers, leather slides or lug-sole loafers, a small crossbody and plain jewelry. Rolling the hems once shows off the shoes and lightens the whole look. It's a good travel outfit and more interesting than jeans and a tee on a mild day.
19. LOFT Peplum Top With Bermuda Shorts
Bermuda shorts are the smart option when it's too hot for trousers and denim cut-offs feel too casual. Pick tailored shorts that sit high on the waist and end a few inches above the knee, in black, navy, beige or soft olive, with a smooth, fairly straight leg so the top's flare stays the only volume. Slingback flats or loafers suit a casual office; woven sandals relax it. A medium tote, a watch and sculptural earrings finish it. I'd check the shorts sitting down before buying, since tailored shorts ride up more than you'd expect. City vacations and outdoor lunches are ideal for this one.
20. LOFT Peplum Top With a Blazer and Jeans
A blazer over a LOFT peplum works as long as the jacket leaves the top room to keep its shape. I'd choose a single-breasted blazer with space through the waist and wear it open, so the flare shows between the lapels. Pair with straight or slim dark jeans. Pointed flats, loafers or ankle boots move it from office to weekend, and a structured tote or compact shoulder bag follows the same logic. Keep the blazer and jeans neutral if the top is patterned; a solid peplum can take a subtle plaid or textured jacket. Try the blazer on over the top before you buy; a narrow cut squashes the peplum flat.
Adjusting the Flare for Petite, Tall and Fuller Figures
Petite
Short flares are your friend. A peplum that drops more than a hand's width below the waist cuts your leg line short, especially with cropped trousers. Look for a short flounce and pair it with bottoms in the same color, so the eye reads one long line from the waist down.
Tall
Check the bodice length first. Many tops place the waist seam too high on a long torso, and the flare ends up near the bust. A longer peplum and wide trousers both suit taller frames, so this is the place to try the dramatic shapes.
Fuller bust or tummy
A V-neck or a wrap-front peplum breaks up the chest area better than a high crew neck. Go for a softly draped flare in a fluid fabric rather than a stiff one; a stiff peplum sticks out and adds bulk, while a drapey one falls straight over the stomach. Dark bottoms help too, and so does sizing for the bust and asking a tailor to nip the waist.
Pressing a Peplum So the Flare Keeps Its Shape
A crushed peplum makes the whole outfit look tired, and it happens fast in a drawer. I hang these tops instead of folding them, with the flare hanging free. To press, I iron the bodice first, then lay the flare over the narrow end of the board and work around it in sections so I don't press a crease into the waist seam. A handheld steamer is quicker for crepe and jersey. Always check the care label: many polyester crepes want a low iron setting and a press cloth to stop shine.
The Peplum as a Workweek Regular
A waist-defining top turns out to be useful far beyond the office. Straight jeans balance it easily, tailored trousers make it polished, skirts soften it, and shorts, linen and utility pants carry it through the seasons. If I had to give one rule, it's this: let the peplum be the only volume, keep waistbands flat, and match the shoe weight to the bottoms. You don't need body-shape rules. Play with hem placement, fabric weight and rise until it feels right, and a LOFT peplum becomes a piece you actually wear on repeat.
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