By Bryan Goh - published
It’s the print that never quite disappears. Worn by Marilyn Monroe on the beach, favoured by Audrey Hepburn in her heyday, and taken to wild extremes by Yayoi Kusama, polka dots are once again peppering the runways. This time, they’re anything but dainty.
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Are Polka Dots Still In Fashion?
The polka dot has always had its nostalgic associations (Sunday dresses, retro halters, party frocks with bows), but designers this season are leaning into its disruptive side. At Fendi, they go plush and oversized on cropped shearling. At Moschino, they get spruced up into a groovy blazer. At Dries Van Noten, they’re layered like static—layering dots over dots until it’s almost noise.
What’s made it last is its ability to shapeshift. Polka dots can be cheeky or classic, romantic or rebellious. They can soften a strict silhouette or throw a prim look off-kilter. Too twee? Too much? That’s the point. This season’s polka dot is whatever you want it to be, from nostalgic to chaotic, and from quietly classic, or all of the above.
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Are Polka Dots Slimming?
Small, evenly spaced polka dots on a dark-coloured background like black or navy blue can create the illusion of a slimmer silhouette, just like vertical stripes or strategic nip-tucked tailoring can. However, polka dots are not a print you wear to disappear. They’re the ones you wear to be seen. If anything, dots draw the eye, and sometimes, that’s exactly the point.
The Best Polka Dot Pieces to Shop Now
1. Sheer dress, $64.90, H&M
This calf-length dress layers a sheer polka overlay over a strappy slip, with a front slit that keeps things from getting too sweet. Think 1960s librarian on summer sabbatical in Ibiza.
2. Blouse with draped collar, $75.90, Mango
Polka dots, but off-centre, literally. The asymmetric sleeve and draped neckline break up the neatness of the print, and there’s even a matching pair of pants if you’re feeling bold.
3. Dotted knot-bow slingback flats, $79.90, Charles & Keith
For those mornings when you have five minutes to get out the door but still want compliments, these shoes come with polka dots in the form of crystals and a pre-tied bow.
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4. Midi skirt, $119, Zara
An elasticated waist band and adjustable drawstrings mean this skirt eats as much as you can while wearing it. And as a bonus, this classic monochromatic dotted skirt comes with pockets.
5. Retro dress with bow collar, $214.80, iROO at Zalora
Your Sunday best, but make it theatrical. Sheer bishop sleeves and a giant pussybow collar bring major drama to this dress’s otherwise modest silhouette.
6. Dots printed big pouch, $238.53, Comme des Garçons at Club21
The clutch favoured by fashion insiders now comes in high-contrast red and white, and is also large enough to fit the new iPhone 17, amongst other small items.
7. Jacquard hiking boots, about $310, Stine Goya at The Outnet
With their exaggerated rubber soles and polka-dotted jacquard upper, these ankle boots are for the women who powerwalk through puddles.
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8. Swirl polka dot scarf, about $352, Paul Smith
Like if Yayoi Kusama did scarves for a boarding school, the swirl of colour, dots, and soft wool-cashmere on this scarf is this winter’s answer to a statement necklace.
9. Polka dot straight pants, $1,011, Dries Van Noten at Mytheresa
As a brand, Dries Van Noten has always had a winning way with prints, and this pair featuring luminous green polka dots on bubblegum pink satin demands you wear it with a clashing print.
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10. Sheer chiffon shirt, $1,885, Stella McCartney
A subtle play on opacity and polish, this barely-there shirt is spun from organic silk chiffon with tone-on-tone dots. It’s what you wear when you want to look like you’re trying.
11. Elara mini dress, $2,461, Isabel Marant at Farfetch
This dress has all the slouchy glamour of an ’80s club queen, updated with that Isabel Marant insouciance. Shoulder, and power puff sleeve included. Discothèque optional.
12. Small puzzle bag in embroidered textile, $6,250, LOEWE
Part art piece, part handbag, woolly hand-embroidered dots dance across the Puzzle, taking inspiration from German-Jewish artist Anni Albers’ “Dotted” tapestry.