K/R-Gap Peplum top in white- too theatrical?

J.J.

I'm having trouble deciding whether to keep or return this top. I didn't take a picture of me wearing it, but my question is more about the style, anyway. It's a little theatrical... is it too much for a regular mom-of-a-three-year-old, living in a casual city? I'm hourglass/pear, and it does sort of make the area around my hips look wide, but I think it's clear that it is the shirt, not me, so it's flattering, or at least JFE.

So- my questions are:
-too theatrical?
-do you think I can get a lot of wear out of it?

At the beginning of your style journey, it's hard to know when "this isn't 'me'" means that you are pushing your boundaries (a good thing), and when it means you just shouldn't keep it because it's not right. I know y'all can't help with that part of the decision, but I guess I'm wondering what people think of the style overall.

Thanks!

Gap

Peplum top

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10 years ago

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4 replies

Latest reply was from unfrumped

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

The absolute last thing I think of when I look at this top is 'theatrical', so I'm wondering what makes you think of it that way. The seaming? The peplum? The fact that it's woven and not knit? To me, it reads very simple, very matter-of-fact, with the only 'edge' (and that a sweet one) from the peplum.

Re fit, being a pear with a long torso I've found the key with peplum tops is to make sure the seam hits me at the right place, not too high. I'd say that it's maybe a little high on the model for maximum flattery, but that it might work better paired with a skirt and not jeans.

10 years ago

Diana

Veteran

The style itself doesn't seem theatrical to me.

However, I would really have to see it on you to tell for sure. Peplums are tricky because the waist has to hit just so. I am a very short waisted pear and peplums like this with a defined waist seam always hit me too low, so they tend to be widening because the "waist" is over my high hip. I do much better with a peplum with vertical seaming (like princess seams) instead.

10 years ago

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

I think it seems like it could be just a bit harder to launder and keep wrinkle free - so in that respect, maybe it's too fussy? I don't know, for me, anything that requires ironing is too fussy. And I can kind of understand that some things feel a bit "much" when we are trying to at first find our style. I tried several draped things, items with embellishments and other things that I ended up not wearing long term when I first began revamping my wardrobe. Sometimes they *did* feel theatrical for me, though I'm sure others wouldn't get that feeling at all.

That fact that you are questioning it, kind of makes me think it's not quite the right item for you - unless you are indeed trying to push your boundaries. Do you love white? Do you like feminine styles?

10 years ago

unfrumped

Veteran

Not theatrical.

I love peplums in general and look out for them, but agree they are very tricky. Most are too short-waisted for me and/or the peplum part is too short, so the whole top is short (which can work with skirts, but not most pants) and the sticking-out issue for me is that many of them stick out a lot in front , which I don't like. So I look out for those that are more drapey or flatter in front.

10 years ago

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