The hips are back — and they are louder, more deliberate, and more visible than ever before. What once existed as a niche historical garment, largely hidden beneath layers of fabric.
Has reemerged in contemporary fashion as a bold and unmistakable statement. From high-fashion runways and red carpets to editorial spreads and social media feeds.
Exaggerated hip silhouettes are once again commanding attention. At the center of this revival is the bum roll, a padded structure that dates back to the 16th century. Historically worn under gowns to enhance the hips and support heavy skirts, the bum roll was never meant to be seen.
It functioned as an architectural foundation, shaping the body to fit the beauty standards and social codes of the Renaissance era. Today, however, the bum roll has shed its role as a hidden support.
Modern designers are bringing it into full view, transforming it into a visible, intentional, and often provocative element of design.
This resurgence is not happening in isolation. Fashion has always looked to the past for inspiration, reworking historical forms to speak to contemporary values.
What makes the bum roll’s return particularly striking is the way it has been recontextualized. No longer about concealing structure beneath elegance, the modern bum roll is about exposure, exaggeration, and conversation.
It invites the viewer to question why certain body shapes are emphasized, who decides what silhouettes are desirable, and how clothing shapes identity.
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