Polka Dot Peplum

You better get some (peplum).

Peplum is no spring chicken, for it has been around the block (and then some) with origins dating back to the 1800s. It became in vogue in the 1940s, and had resurgence again in the 1980s. With each decade, the peplum reinvented itself into different forms, but by definition, it has always stayed the same: a peplum is a short piece of fabric attached to the waist of a jacket, dress, or blouse, and is usually gathered or pleated to create some volume.


Only time will tell whether it falls off the fashion radar again. Nevertheless, I will always love peplum. It is one those style elements that seem to be universally flattering on all body types as long as the right length and volume is chosen. Peplum minimizes the waist and celebrates a woman’s curvy hips, making any outfit fun, flirty, and feminine.

What does one wear with peplum? Since it is nipped in at the natural waist, and flares with such flounce, the peplum is best balanced out with something high waisted and slim and trim for the bottom.

This top lent from my friends at Lalakitty hit all the right notes. The combination of polka dots, peplum, and low revealing back makes me feel demure and alluring at the same time. Lalakitty is offering Chic Vic readers 20% off your entire order – just use code CHICVIC20 and you too could be peplumming.

I paired the top with my sweetheart locket necklace, my favorite pair of high waisted jeans, and a pop of red in my belt and flower corsage. Add a headscarf knotted in the front and a sexy pair of peep-toe pumps and you can call me a bona fide pin up girl.

Watch them boys don’t know how to act cause this top puts the “back” into sexy back. But I ain’t no hollaback girl though.


Lalakitty peplum top / Levis jeans (similar jeans) / Vince Camuto pumps (similar pumps) / vintage clutch (similar clutch) / vintage locket (similar locket) / vintage earrings (similar earrings) / polka dot scarf (similar scarf)

The (flower) Power Suit Part 3: Totally Tubular Turban

You’ve read part 1 and part 2. And now, I present to you the highly anticipated concluding chapter to my three part flower power suit saga that you will want to sink your teeth into Twilight style. 

A couple of weeks ago, a friend asked for my opinion on the turban fashion trend and whether or not she could pull it off. Having never tried one, I scoffed at the idea, and naively advised that it only looks good on those with modelesque facial features, and not on the average Josephina.

Fast forward to the present: I’m eating my humble pie and boy does it taste so fashionably good with a hint of style. I recently gave the turban headband a try, and I love it. I often have trouble with scarves slipping and sliding off my head, but there is something about the cocoon like wrapping of the turban that alleviates this issue. I now have the perfect solution to bad/dirty hair days! Oh happy day.

Although turbans have long existed in many cultures as customary headwear, it made its first appearance into the fashion world in the early 1900s with the help of designer Paul Poiret. It eventually became quite popularized in 1970s and morphed its way into a looser fitting hat. Since then, the turban has remained totally tubular on the fashion radar, even making its way onto the runway in past ready-to-wear shows.

Since I created a ladylike outfit with the flower power suit’s skirt, I decided I wanted to go a little less dainty and feminine. I wanted my next look to be cool, hip, and funky. My green silk scarf matched the suit jacket perfectly, and I decided to give the turban headband a shot. While there are many ways of wrapping a turban/turban headband, I stuck to the simplest method: 1) hold a long scarf behind your head, holding the ends; 2) bring the ends towards the front of your head and single knot in the front, but keep the original left end on the left, and the original right end on the right – do not swap sides; 3) bring the ends to the back of your head and tie together; 4) add some pizzazz to your turban headband by pinning a brooch in the front.

Oh, how the urban turban transforms this outfit! Suddenly the suit jacket doesn’t seem like a conservatively boring 80s jacket. I bangled it up with a ton of colorful cloisonné arm candy that I’ve had in storage, and the look wouldn’t be complete with a pair of studded booties – my go to shoes when I don’t want to be a goodie-two-shoes.

Wasn’t that totally tubular? Now be like Willow and wave your hair back and forth. But not too hard, cause that turban might fly off your head.

The (flower) Power Suit: Part 1

I love me an 80s themed party. There’s just something inherently fun about getting decked out in the most ridiculous fashion (leg warmers, stirrup pants, Members Only jackets – pick your poison) and dancing to Madonna and The Cure that gets me pumped up.

For these reasons, I have a love/hate relationship with vintage fashion from this decade. I love it because some of the silhouettes from the 1980s are borrowed from the 1940s. I hate it because everything else is…quite “interesting” looking, to say the least.

Luckily for all you 80s fashion lovers out there, I found myself with feelings of love when I purchased this silk flower power suit (for only $6!). I fell in love with the brightly colored pattern; it looks almost like flower camouflage. Although this suit is like, totally 80s, I was able to overlook it after I detached the shoulder pads. Originally a double-breasted jacket, I removed the second row of buttons to give it an asymmetrical flair. I enjoy the subtle side peplum on the jacket, which is a 1940s silhouette. And who doesn’t love a pencil skirt? Certainly not I.

I pity the fool who wears a suit as a…..suit.

Happy April Fools’ Day! Did you really think I would wear this ensemble as it was meant to be worn? Stay tuned if you want to see how I wear these as separates.