What does peplum mean?
A peplum is a short, gathered or flared section of fabric attached at the waist, commonly forming a decorative edge on a skirt, dress, or jacket. In contemporary fashion, the word suggests a feminine silhouette with volume, movement, or a soft ruffle around the hips. It can also refer, in historical and archaeological contexts, to the outer garment worn by women in ancient Greece. The modern meaning developed through the language of costume and dressmaking, while the word itself preserves the history of the classical Greek peplos. Peplum is useful because it names a specific garment feature that might otherwise be described only as a flounce, ruffle, or overskirt. Although the term is closely associated with women’s clothing, it can describe the construction of any garment with a gathered or flared waist extension.
nounA short, gathered or flared overskirt attached at the waist, especially as a decorative feature of a skirt, dress, or jacket. The term also refers historically to the outer garment worn by women in ancient Greece.
- A short gathered or flared section of fabric attached to the waist of a skirt, dress, or jacket.
- An outer garment worn by women in ancient Greece, characterized by draped or folded fabric.
"She wore a navy dress with a softly ruffled peplum at the waist."
"The jacket had an elegant peplum that flared over the hips."
"Archaeologists identified the garment as a peplum, an outer robe associated with women in ancient Greece."
The standard English plural is “peplums.” “Pepla” is sometimes used in specialized historical or fashion contexts.
"Several peplums appeared in the spring collection."
Today’s peplum is a fashion detail with an ancient Greek pedigree: the word descends from the peplos, the draped outer garment worn by classical Greek women.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of peplum
The word comes through Latin peplum, from Greek péplon, a term associated with the ancient Greek peplos. English “peplos” preserves a closely related form of the Greek garment name. Over time, the word developed a modern dressmaking sense for a gathered or flared overskirt attached at the waist.
Related word forms
How peplum is actually used
In modern usage, peplum usually describes a decorative, shaped overskirt or flounce attached at the waist. The historical sense is less common and refers to an ancient Greek garment rather than a contemporary fashion detail.
Easily confused with peplum
A peplos is an ancient Greek outer garment, whereas a peplum is a gathered or flared decorative overskirt, especially one attached to a modern garment.