The Peplum the freshest silhouette of Summer 2012, and it's set to only get more popular in the autumn. The Peplum shape is catching on, thanks to its flexibility and capability to flatter many shapes and sizes. At that point in the year, there are a great number of styles and cuts available, so that you can work the peplum trend, make it your own, and stick out from the crowd even as you're employed the most fashionable current style.

Despite being seen on everyone from Kim Kardashian to Kim Middleton, the detail is still fresh and novel. The shapely cut implies that it's got a unique quality, able to add curves to a boyish figure, yet at the very same time can flatter a more curvy frame to striking effect. It can even be used to hide a baby bump! A tiny overskirt adds detail to tops, dresses and skirts that might otherwise be considered too basic or boring. This little detail adds an instant update to any wardrobe and will ensure you stay before the style curve.

The look is also open to further modification for an outfit that will be even closer to your individual style and mark you as a trendsetter. Wearing a waist belt just above the peplum skirt, for example, intensifies the waist and highlights your figure. Pairing complementary yet somewhat clashing colours - like Emma Stone's Pink and Red Giambattista Valli dress which she wore to the Friends With Benefits film premiere - propels the look further into a fashion-forward, directional league, with the semblance of separates bringing a touch of professional style to the ensemble.

Because the peplum is a key detail and yet is relatively neutral, it is simple to blend with other trends. For example, you can pair a cream peplum top with a statement pair of ankle-grazing trousers or pencil skirt - two more of the season's wardrobe favourites. A flashback to the 80s without the nightmares of crimped hair and legwarmers, it's a retro nod that avoids that fancy dress look. Even peplum dresses in neutral tones such as black, cream and nude are statement enough to look fashionable, without that fast-fashion feel that trendy prints might have. This means that you won't be recycling them after just a couple of wears - and if you opt for pieces that have further details, such as embellished necklines, or striking sleeves, they will keep you looking interesting for even longer.

With the transitory peplum, 2 of Fall's largest trends are the colour Oxblood and Leather. Burgundy, wine and forest fruit tones, twinned with peplum are an absolute fail-safe closet combination. Leather pieces like pencil skirts and skintight jeans will look extraordinarily directional with a peplum top and bridge the style opening between grunge and glamour. You don't have to select whether you're a bad girl or a good girl with peplum ; you can simply be amazingly stylish, and prepared for this years' season.