peplum

/ˈpɛpləm/

Etymology

From Latin peplum, from Ancient Greek πέπλον (péplon), accusative singular of πέπλος (péplos).

Why this word is great

PEPLUM — [Noun] A short overskirt or outer garment, often with pointed sides, derived from the ancient Greek peplos. From Latin peplum, from Ancient Greek πέπλον (péplon), accusative singular of πέπλος (péplos, "a type of garment"). Unlike "palla" (a Roman garment draped over the shoulder, not folded at the waist) or "basque" (a tailored extension of a bodice, longer and more fitted), the peplum is a deliberate flourish—a brief, architectural flare. It is the sharp angle of a Grecian statue’s drapery, the flick of a matador’s cape, or the way a modern dress might suddenly kick out at the hips like a whispered punchline. Fashion’s answer to the question: what if seriousness had a fringe?

noun

A peplos, an Ancient Greek garment formed of a tubular piece of cloth folded back upon itself halfway down so that the top of the tube is worn around the waist, and the bottom covers the legs down to the ankles; the open top is then worn over the shoulders, and draped, in folds, down to the waist. Compare the Roman palla.
A kind of women's outer garment in ancient Greece; a veil.“And this was Neith, or Athena, that God thus described, "I am all that was, is, and shall be, and my peplum or veil, no mortal could ever uncover." […] Peplum is properly a womanish pall or veil, embroidered all over and consecrated to Minerva.”
A short overskirt cut in such a way that the sides form points.
A short overskirt attached to the waist of a garment; a basque.
A genre of Italian films based on historical or biblical epics.
An individual film in this genre.“[…] there were hastily produced B movies, such as the peplums, the spaghetti westerns, the detective stories, the horrors.”