Polka dots are back – but not as you’ve worn them before. Forget prim and preppy (remember that black and white spotted Zara midi dress that became ubiquitous a few years ago?) and think colourful, enormously oversized or, at the very least, combined with clever cutouts and softly draped fabrics.
Polka dots found favour on the spring/summer 2024 catwalks – at Dolce & Gabbana they were supersize; Stella McCartney spot-adorned tops with gauzy sleeves; while Balmain broke with the traditional monochrome and opted for colour.
The high street duly took note and there are now a host of styles which most definitely hit the spot.
But not all dots are created equal, so choose yours carefully for both the event and the image you want to project, using our guide to the five key ways to wear them now…
Soft spots
Lila Moss in Saint Laurent at a British Vogue event in Mayfair last November
Dress, £265, kitristudio.com
For those who prefer a more understated spot, opt for a draped style as seen on the Stella McCartney catwalk.
Actress Lily James is a fan — she chose a gauzy white fabric with soft green spots by Saint Laurent for her birthday celebrations, while model Lila Moss wore a monochrome style to a Vogue party.
The swathes of fabric make the dots look softer, almost abstract. Perfect for eveningwear and oh-so romantic.
Playful pattern
Tiny polka dots — no bigger than a five-pence piece — are the most traditional version of this look. Think the Princess of Wales’s fabulous and much-copied Alessandra Rich dress with its pristine white collar.
Anna Wintour attends a Marc Jacobs fashion show wearing the designer at the start of July
Dress, now £44.50, finerylondon.com
But to make the style feel current, take your cue from the high priestess of fashion, Anna Wintour. Her polka dot ensemble is rendered modern and playful by the red-and-white colour combination.
Actress Sienna Miller is a fan of small spots, too, as seen on her cream Prada two-piece worn to Wimbledon.
She livened up the traditional style by showing off a strip of toned tummy between her top and skirt. If midriff-baring isn’t quite your style, opt for statement accessories like Anna’s necklace instead.
The bigger, the better
Dress, now £110, reiss.com (left) and Dress, £189, hobbs.com (right)
Dress, £253, by Moos Studio at wolfand badger.com
Dolce & Gabbana put polka dots firmly on the agenda for summer 2024, and the supersize variety were the real stars of the label’s spring/summer catwalk show.
While once fashion arbiters ruled only the tiniest dots were truly chic, this is a fun take on the style – which can look equally elegant.
Just as ditsy florals have transitioned to big blooms this season, these mega polka dots give a modern spin on the trend.
Stick to a few sparsely scattered across the fabric — anything busier will risk looking cartoonish.
Follow D&G’s lead with a monochrome print , or inject some colour with this green and white style, right, from Moos Studio.
Itsy-bitsy fun with colours
Margot Robbie in Balmain at the Palm Springs International Film Festival in California in January
Dress, £99, karen millen.com
Who says polka dots have to be black, white or navy? Balmain reinvented them by sending fresh colour combinations down the runway.
Follow Margot Robbie’s lead in a bubblegum pink mini dress from the brand’s spring/summer 2024 collection.
The key here is the black dots (the inverse of the usual white), which keeps the look sophisticated rather than overly sugary.
Hobbs has a fabulous white dress with big black polka dots, or try Karen Millen’s spotted red dress. Dress down with trainers or opt for coordinating heels a la Margot.
Modern classic
Jennifer Lawrence in Dior Couture at the Oscars in March in Hollywood
Dress, £45, finerylondon.com
When it comes to polka-dot perfection, the dress Julia Roberts wears to the polo in her film Pretty Woman takes the crown.
Her brown outfit was adorned with midsize spots and, if you’re after a classic (but never boring) look, you should follow suit.
Pretty Woman was surely the style inspiration behind Marks & Spencer’s v-neck brown maxi dress, which sold out this season.
Nobody’s Child also has a very wearable chocolate-hued dress. Jody Plows, Nobody’s Child CEO, says: ‘The Felicity dress sold out as soon as it launched. Over 3,500 signed up to find out when it was coming back in stock.’
