From the catwalks of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Cape Town to New York's runways, peplum has surfaced on the style scene for spring/summer 2012. Now it's hit our shores and we bet you'll see the hottest fashionistas rocking the trend this season. Are you bold enough to wear this cut?

Gavin Rajah's latest collection features peplum and intricate floral detail meshed with lace fabrics, luxurious black and stiff metallics. International designers such as Vera Wang and Christian Dior also unveiled various ways to wear peplums in a way that will suit anyone. 

Highlight your waist
If you're wearing a peplum top; for example, keep the rest of your outfit as uncomplicated as possible. Aim to create the illusion of proportion - and balance your body shape. If you are a pear-shape, for example, pair your peplum top with bootleg pants or a pencil skirt.

Stick with solid colours
Select two hues that compliment your skin tone, then wear the more eye-catching colour on the smaller half of your body; this will create the illusion of balance and proportion. If the top half of your body is larger than your lower half, the trend could still work for you. If you are lucky enough to have an hour-glass figure, go wild, or opt for the simplicity of Gavin Rajah!

Play with prints
Summer has come alive with a burst of bright colours as well as prints and that's what we're embracing in our DTMWTW summer range. Wearing peplums in print is not for the faint-hearted - but it is possible. Create the illusion of proportion. Be inspired by LEGiT brand ambassador, Refilwe Modiselle and stand out from the crowd.

Take inspiration from Alexander McQueen and make waves by combining your ruffles with floral prints, or add an architectural element to the cut to make a powerful statement.

Image credit: Simon Deiner Photography/SDR Photo/Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Cape Town