The Palermo has a lot going on for one blouse: a red ditsy floral print, a Peter Pan collar, cap sleeves, a button front, eyelet trim and a peplum that flares out from the waist. Any one of those details could carry an outfit on its own, so when I style it, my job is mostly subtraction. I keep the bottoms plain and the shoes simple, then pull one color out of the print for the bag or the flats. Denim takes the sweetness down a notch, and tailoring makes it look deliberate. Change the layers and shoes and the same top runs from spring into early fall. Below are twenty full outfits I'd actually put together with it.
How the Flare Meets Your Waistband
A peplum is a short flared piece sewn to the bottom of a fitted bodice, and the seam where it joins is the line everyone's eye goes to. On this blouse, that seam should sit at or just above your natural waist. Before I style anything, I button the top, stand side-on to a mirror and see where that seam lands. If it hits right at the waist, almost every bottom in this list will work.
Rise matters more than leg shape
High-rise bottoms are the safe choice because their waistband sits under the peplum seam and the flare falls cleanly over it. Low or mid-rise jeans leave a gap, so skin or a belt loop shows the moment you lift your arms. Check the waistband itself too. Flat fronts, side zips and thin bands let the flare hang. Paperbag waists, drawstrings and chunky denim waistbands push it out, and it flips up at the sides.
To tuck or not
Mostly not. Tucking a peplum stuffs extra fabric into the waistband and leaves a ridge you can see through the bottoms. The one exception is a front tuck when the flare overlaps a thick skirt waist: push in the center few inches only and leave the sides out.
1. Reformation Palermo Top With Straight Leg Jeans
Straight-leg jeans are where I start with this top, because they don't fight the peplum for attention. A mid-blue wash with no whiskering keeps the eye on the red print. Leave the blouse out: the flare and the eyelet edge only read when the hem hangs free over the waistband. Cream ballet flats pick up the pale bits of the print, a small tan shoulder bag adds warmth, and thin gold earrings with slim sunglasses are all the jewelry it needs. Hem the jeans so they just graze the top of the flat, because a puddle of denim over a dainty shoe looks unfinished. Done this way, it reads relaxed rather than sugary.
2. Reformation Palermo Top With White Linen Pants
White linen is the summer version I reach for most. I pick a high rise with a straight or slightly wide leg so the fitted bodice and the loose trouser play off each other. Linen wrinkles within the hour, which is fine, but it means the accessories have to do the tidying: narrow-strap tan sandals, a structured raffia bag, small gold hoops. The first thing I check is the waistband. A thick paperbag or drawstring waist pushes the peplum outward and makes it flip up at the sides, so either choose a flat waistband or add a thin woven belt. Look at the pants in daylight too, since some white linen shows pocket bags and underwear lines straight through.
3. Reformation Palermo Top With Denim Midi Skirt
A dark denim midi skirt plays up the retro side of the blouse without tipping into costume. I look for a high rise, a straight cut and a front slit so you can actually walk, and I skip anything heavily distressed. The dark wash anchors the small collar and lace edging. Pointed red flats tie straight back to the print, though cream Mary Janes are the softer route. Add a compact brown bag and plain gold jewelry. If the skirt is narrow through the hip, the blouse can stay out. If the peplum bunches where it meets a thick denim waistband, tuck just the front few inches. I wear this in spring and early fall, when I want coverage without another layer.
4. Reformation Palermo Top With Black Tailored Pants
This is the version I'd send someone to work in. High-waisted black trousers with a straight leg and a pressed front crease give the red top a clean frame, and the vintage details start to look grown-up instead of girlish. Wear slingback heels or pointed flats depending on how dressed you need to be, with a structured black bag. Pearl studs echo the collar nicely. I'd leave off a belt and any necklace: a Peter Pan collar sits right where a pendant would land, and the two just crowd each other. If the office runs cold, a slim black blazer goes over it without hiding much.
5. Reformation Palermo Top With Satin Midi Skirt
A bias-cut satin midi moves when you walk, which is a nice counterpoint to a fitted bodice. Ivory feels like spring and burgundy feels like autumn, so let the blouse's own colors decide. The slick fabric sits against the top’s textured trim and tiny print, and that texture contrast does most of the styling. Be honest about satin, though. It shows every lump at the waistband and every water spot, so a flat waist with no gathers matters more here than anywhere else. I keep the blouse untucked only if its hem lands above the fullest part of the hip. Kitten-heel sandals, a small clutch and drop earrings are plenty.
6. Reformation Palermo Top With Denim Shorts
For a hot day, denim shorts make this top practical. I like a high rise with a slightly loose leg and a clean hem, because heavy shredding fights the eyelet edge. The thing I check in the mirror is length. The shorts need to show clearly below the peplum, otherwise it looks as if you've only got the blouse on. Flat brown sandals, or white sneakers if you're walking a lot, plus a woven crossbody and small hoops. That's it. Farmers markets and slow holiday days are what this one is for.
7. Reformation Palermo Top With White Maxi Skirt
A white maxi skirt makes this blouse lighter, and cotton poplin keeps it from going bridal. Pick a plain A-line with a proper waistband. I steer clear of tiered or ruffled maxis with this top, because between the Peter Pan collar and the peplum there's already enough frill above the waist. Tan flat sandals keep it casual, while red flats make it more put-together. Add a medium woven tote and quiet gold jewelry. Most of the time I wear the blouse over the skirt. A tuck only works if the skirt sits right at the natural waist, and even then a peplum tends to bunch under a thin poplin band, so try it before you head out.
8. Reformation Palermo Top With Gingham Midi Skirt
Floral with gingham sounds risky, but it holds together when the two share colors. Go for a small-scale gingham midi skirt in red and cream or black and white, and keep the check small so the floral stays in charge. A big buffalo check will fight the print every time. I'd pick a plain A-line with no ruffles. Cream Mary Janes play up the vintage feel, and a plain leather shoulder bag stops it tipping into picnic fancy dress. Small studs, maybe one thin bracelet. The real trick is that one shade has to appear in both pieces.
9. Reformation Palermo Top With Wide Leg Jeans
Wide-leg jeans pull the Palermo out of the 1950s and into now. I want dark indigo, a high waist, a fit that hugs the hip and a full-length hem. Here's the catch: the peplum flares and the jeans flare, so you can lose your waist entirely. I make sure the peplum seam sits right on the jeans' waistband, which pins the narrowest point where it should be. Pointed black flats or slim ankle boots let the hem cover most of the foot and lengthen the leg. A black shoulder bag and plain hoops keep it modern. I'd leave ripped denim and a bulky coat for another day. It's a good dinner or gallery outfit when you want the top to look less sweet.
10. Reformation Palermo Top With Black Mini Skirt
A plain black mini gives the blouse a younger shape without pulling focus. I look for an A-line or tailored mini that sits high and shows a few inches below the blouse hem. If the two hems nearly meet, the skirt disappears. Sheer black tights in cold weather, bare legs in spring. Loafers make it a daytime look, and block-heel Mary Janes push it further toward vintage. Carry a small black crossbody and keep the jewelry fine. If you add a cardigan, keep it cropped at the waist. A long one hides the peplum and leaves you with a shapeless block of knit over a tiny skirt.
11. Reformation Palermo Top With Tailored Shorts
Tailored shorts are the dressier alternative to denim. I'd pick cream or camel with a high rise, a front pleat and a relaxed leg. A slightly longer inseam, around mid-thigh, matters here, because a very short tailored short under a flared top makes the whole thing look top-heavy. Add loafers or slingback flats and a structured bag. A woven belt helps if the shorts feel too formal next to sandals. Button the blouse right up to show the collar. It works for sightseeing, a lunch, or an office that allows shorts in summer, and it's comfortable enough for a full day on your feet.
12. Reformation Palermo Top With Khaki Cargo Pants
This pairing surprises people, and I like it for exactly that reason. Khaki cargos with a straight leg and modest pockets take the sweetness out of the floral. Watch the volume. Very baggy cargos swamp the fitted bodice and the outfit starts to look like two different people got dressed. White leather sneakers, a tan crossbody and small gold hoops finish it. If the hems stack on your shoes, roll them once. The blouse stays out so the flare is visible against the stiff cotton. This is the one I'd pack for travel days and weekend errands.
13. Reformation Palermo Top With Cream Tailored Trousers
Cream trousers show off every detail of the top. Look for a high waist, a flat front and a straight or slightly flared leg. The flat front matters: pleats and a thick waistband add bulk right under the peplum and push it out. Burgundy slingbacks pull out the darker reds in the print, while a cream structured bag and fine gold jewelry keep the palette quiet. If you'd rather wear flats, pointed tan ones work, but sneakers look heavy here. Light trousers do show marks quickly, so I save this for a day without a messy lunch. It suits a presentation in a relaxed office or a dressy daytime event.
14. Reformation Palermo Top With Black Slip Skirt
A black slip skirt makes the romantic blouse look sleeker. Choose a midi in matte satin or crepe with a gentle bias cut, since high-shine satin can look like eveningwear next to a small daytime floral. A bias cut clings, so I check the back view for underwear lines before anything else. Black pointed slingbacks and a compact shoulder bag are enough. Gold earrings add warmth, and a thin red ribbon in the hair can repeat the print if you like that kind of detail. Skip extra prints and bold accessories, because the contrast between the textured top and the smooth skirt is already doing the work.
15. Reformation Palermo Top With Cropped Jeans
Cropped jeans put your shoes in the frame. I go for high-rise, ankle-length denim with a slim straight leg in mid-blue. The short hem leaves a clean line of ankle above ballet flats, loafers or low sneakers. Red flats tie it together; cream shoes keep it softer. Carry a basket bag in summer and a tan crossbody the rest of the year. I find this cut easier than wide jeans for anyone shorter, because less denim under the peplum means less visual weight below the waist. Coffee, lunch, a wander round the shops: that's its territory.
16. Reformation Palermo Top With Brown Suede Skirt
Brown suede is how I carry this blouse into autumn. Chocolate and chestnut both sit well with red and suit the blouse's vintage mood. Choose an A-line mini or a knee-length cut. With sheer brown tights and knee boots it handles cooler days; with loafers and bare legs it works while the weather is still mild. Add a structured brown bag, studs and a thin cream cardigan. Avoid fringe or heavy hardware, because the trim and buttons are already busy. One practical note: real suede marks easily and hates rain, so I treat it with a suede protector before the first wear.
17. Reformation Palermo Top With Cardigan And Jeans
A cardigan keeps this top in rotation when the weather turns. I start with dark straight-leg jeans and let the peplum hang out below the knit. The cardigan should be cropped and thin, in cream with a round neck, and I leave the top few buttons undone so the collar and print show. A chunky knit hides the blouse's shape and adds bulk at the shoulders, and cap sleeves crease badly under a heavy layer. Brown loafers, a structured bag and small gold earrings finish it. Repeating cream and brown in the accessories softens the red without hiding it.
18. Reformation Palermo Top With Blazer And Trousers
For a proper workday, put the blouse under a black single-breasted suit. The tailoring does the serious part and the print keeps it from looking severe. Pick a blazer that skims rather than nips in hard, and wear it open so the collar and buttons stay visible. Under a closed blazer the peplum gets squashed and pokes out below the jacket hem. Black pointed flats or low heels, a top-handle bag, pearl studs and a slim watch. No necklace, since the collar already does that job. Take the jacket off later and you still have a finished blouse-and-trouser look.
19. Reformation Palermo Top With Corduroy Pants
Corduroy ridges look good next to a tiny floral. I choose a high waist and a straight leg in cream, camel or a muted burgundy. Go for fine wale, the thin ribs, because thick wide-wale cord adds bulk under the peplum and looks heavier than this blouse can balance. Low-heeled brown ankle boots, a saddle bag and gold hoops come next. A light trench works as the outer layer without hiding the vintage feel. Let the boots decide the hem: full length over them, or slightly cropped so the boot shows. Cord flattens at the knees and seat over time, so I wash it inside out and keep it out of a hot dryer.
20. Reformation Palermo Top With Red Midi Skirt
Red on red is the bold way to finish. Pull the skirt color straight from the print, somewhere between cherry and brick. Keep the skirt plain, A-line or straight, so the collar, trim and peplum provide the detail. Cream flats and a cream structured bag break up the red, with quiet gold jewelry. Exact matching is harder than it looks, since two reds from different makers rarely agree in daylight. If you can't get close, go clearly lighter or darker so it looks chosen. Keep makeup neutral, because a red lip on top of all this is one red too many. I'd wear it to a birthday lunch or a daytime party.
Fit Fixes for Buttons, Bust and Shoulders
Button-front blouses with fitted bodices tend to gape between the buttons at the bust. If you see that little diamond of light when you turn, size up rather than pin it, then have the waist taken in if the peplum ends up too loose. A small piece of double-sided fabric tape between the buttons also holds it for a day out.
Cap sleeves sit right on the shoulder edge. On narrow shoulders they look sweet, but on broad or athletic shoulders they add width and can dig in at the armpit. Lift both arms in the fitting room. If the hem rides up past your waistband or the sleeve cuts in, that size is wrong for your frame.
If you're petite, the peplum can land low on the hip and shorten your legs. Wear high-rise bottoms and shoes that show the top of the foot, and ask a tailor to shorten the bodice if needed. Long-waisted readers get the opposite problem, with the seam sitting above the waist, so pair it with the highest rise you own.
Looking After Eyelet Edging and a Small Collar
Eyelet trim is fabric with small holes punched out and stitched around, and those stitched edges catch on things. Follow the care label first, but my default for a blouse like this is inside out, in a mesh bag, on a gentle cycle in cool water, with the buttons done up so the placket doesn't twist. Cool water also stops a red print from bleeding into pale trim.
A Peter Pan collar loses its shape faster than anything else on the blouse. Press it while slightly damp, from the underside, working from the outer edge toward the neck so you don't push creases into the curve. Hang it on a padded or wide hanger, since thin wire ones leave dents in cap sleeves. Store it away from zips and sequins, which snag the eyelet holes.
Where the Palermo Earns Its Keep
If I had to boil this down, the Palermo wants clean bottoms and quiet accessories. Straight and cropped jeans make it an everyday blouse; linen, satin and tailoring take it somewhere dressier. Neutral shoes and bags are the safe bet, and repeating the red in a flat or a skirt is the braver one. Whatever you pair it with, check where the peplum lands on the waistband before you leave the house. After that, cardigans, blazers, tights and boots carry the same outfits through the seasons.
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