Noir Renaissance: Blake Lively’s Leather Peplum Signals the Return of a Maligned Silhouette
In the cyclical world of fashion, where yesterday’s passé becomes tomorrow’s obsession, Blake Lively has once again proven herself a maverick curator of forgotten trends. The actress, whose sartorial instincts have become as noteworthy as her screen performances, has resurrected the peplum top—a silhouette that fashion cognoscenti had relegated to the archives of the early 2010s.
During the high-velocity press circuit for her latest cinematic venture, “Another Simple Favor,” Lively has orchestrated a parade of ensembles that capture her signature aesthetic: simultaneously polished and playful, refined yet whimsical. Each appearance has been a carefully calibrated statement, often punctuated with citrus-inspired accessories that add her characteristic joie de vivre to even the most sophisticated silhouettes.
On April 29, however, Lively unveiled her most audacious throwback yet. The actress emerged in a monochromatic noir ensemble composed entirely of faux leather—a conscious nod to sustainability without sacrificing luxury. The centerpiece: a sleeveless blouse featuring a crew neckline and a ruched peplum hem, a structural detail that hasn’t graced the silhouettes of fashion’s vanguard since circa 2015.
The peplum—that architectural flounce that extends from the waistline—was ubiquitous during the early 2010s before falling from grace. Its resurrection under Lively’s imprimatur suggests the imminent revival of a trend many had relegated to fashion’s graveyard.
True to form, Lively elevated her noir statement with accessories that walk the line between luxury and levity. Her footwear of choice: Christian Louboutin’s spike-embellished pumps, carrying a formidable price tag of $2,895. She completed the ensemble with a sequined Chanel Flap bag, creating a textural juxtaposition against the sleek faux leather.
This sartorial moment unfolded against the backdrop of Lively’s professional renaissance and personal solidarity. The “It Ends With Us” star has been navigating a complex professional landscape, including reported tensions with co-star and director Justin Baldoni following the August 2024 release of their adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s critically acclaimed novel.
Amid these professional currents, Lively’s husband Ryan Reynolds has remained a steadfast presence. The power couple was recently photographed attending a theatrical production starring Hugh Jackman, Reynolds’ longtime friend and collaborator. Reynolds, 48, complemented his wife’s fashion-forward presence with a refined casual ensemble: a maroon jacket layered over a crisp white button-down, paired with camel slacks and pristine white sneakers. The couple’s evident affection—holding hands and exchanging smiles—offered a counterpoint to Hollywood’s notoriously ephemeral relationships.
As Lively continues to navigate her multifaceted career, including the promotion of her Prime Video sequel “Another Simple Favor,” her fashion choices serve as both personal expression and cultural barometer. Her rehabilitation of the peplum silhouette suggests that fashion’s redemption arc is shorter than ever in our accelerated aesthetic economy.
Whether this signals a wholesale revival or merely a singular moment of nostalgia remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: when Blake Lively excavates a trend from fashion’s recent past, the industry pays attention. The peplum, it seems, may have found its most persuasive contemporary advocate.
