How to wear peplums: Styling tips for Body type A

Body type A's shoulders and torso are narrower than her hips, so the general idea is to widen the appearance of her upper body, balancing it with her lower body.

Other names for Body type As are: inverted triangle, pear shape, or A shape.

To draw the eye upwards, it helps:

1. A lighter colour on the top.
2. A boat or slash neckline.
3. A structured jacket with a strong shoulder line.
4. Statement accessories.

How do peplums work with Body type As?
Anything that adds volume to the lower body should be avoided, so peplum skirts are not a Body type A's best bet. Opt instead for:

1. A peplum top with a slight blouson effect, hitting at low waist to high hip (the peplum should hit the slimmest part of the hip). A lighter colour on the top helps to draw the eye upwards, and a boat or slash neckline is a good option to widen the shoulders.
2. A structured jacket in the same length as above, with a strong shoulder line helps create balance with the lower body.
3. Both worn over a smooth-topped skirt or trousers. A straight skirt (A-line or circle skirts are not the best option to wear with a peplum top, but if you do go with them, the peplum should be short and the shoulder line of your top strong) hitting just below the knee (at the slimmest point) or flat front trousers, which are the most flattering for short legs, and modernises a look that can be too retro.

Peplum top with straight skirt for Body type A by Caroline Grant. Although the pattern is in the skirt, the striking colour, brooch and necklace are all on the upper body. The line of the leg is kept long by the nude shoes, worn with nude hoisery.

Zara Blazer / Pink Tartan Leopard Pencil Skirt / ACNE Knitted Peplum Top / Louis Vuitton Monogram Fascination Lockit Handbag / Loeffler Randall Esther Pumps / Kate Spade Dotz Bib Necklace / Anton Heunis Ring / Amen Leather Orchid Brooch / Tom Ford Lipstick in Black Orchid / Estée Lauder Nail Lacquer in Chocolate Crave.

Peplum top with full skirt for Body type A by Caroline Grant. The brooch accentuates the slash neckline, while the earrings and coral lipstick draw attention to the face. The wide lapels in the coat contributes to balance the upper and lower body.

Ted Baker Matilde Short Wrap Coat /  ACNE Knitted Peplum Top / Komodo Fair Trade Skirt / Reed Krakoff Mini Atlantique Handbag / Mary Portas for Clarks La Wesley Pumps / Faliero Sarti Scarf / Hobbs Astrid Belt / Lulu Frost Circe Drop Earrings / Cilea Brooch / Chanel Rouge Coco Lipstick in Flirt / Yves Saint Laurent Nail Lacquer in Corail Divin.

Peplum top with wide leg trousers for Body type A by Caroline Grant. Same as above, the Alexis Bittar Dark Garden Necklace creates a focal point, as does the Black Orchid lipstick. The line of the leg is kept long by choosing shoes that do not contrast with the trousers. [Background: Magnolia x Loebneri 'Merrill' by Anna Knights.]

Wallis Wide Leg Jeans /  ACNE Knitted Peplum Top / Alexander McQueen Quilted Leather Jacket / Paul Smith Hydrangea Handbag / Poetic Licence Backlash Booties / Black Lily Jennifer Scarf  / Alexis Bittar Leger Ring / Alexis Bittar Dark Garden Necklace / Tom Ford Lipstick and Nail Lacquer in Black Orchid.

MORE?

DOs and DONTs for peplums.

If this is not your body type, you can go to:

• How to wear peplums: Styling tips for Body type B. 
• How to wear peplums: Styling tips for Body type C.