Top Trend: Polka Dots

The smell of flowers, at last baring legs and shoulders, dining al fresco, wearing colorful prints… Yes, all the signs of warmer days are definitely there. But wait, let me rewind and go back to the last one. Prints. Colorful prints. I’m sure those two words got you thinking about that one go-to floral little dress (no denial please we all have at least one) that is just perfect for an improvised last minute dressy but not overdone summer outfit.

Yet, however life saving that option is, we can’t help but find it a little boring given the huge popularity of flowery dresses.

How to replace that irreplaceable staple, you ask? Well, we have just the right thing to freshen up that summer wardrobe : polka dots.

Polka dots were always a classic, the kind that goes in and out of fashion every couple of seasons, with a couple glory moments like the 50s glamorous pin-up aesthetic, or the more funky and colorful 80s iconic dotted looks.

To our greatest pleasure for Spring / Summer 2018, designers used polka dots without  moderation, and have given us plenty of inspiration to wear the spotted pattern without turning into Minnie Mouse or the 102nd Dalmatian. Enough talking, let’s connect the dots!

Jill Stuart, Rodarte, Marta Jakubowski

Alexandre Vauthier’s take on polka dots is a perfect example on how to be retro with a twist, with his sculptural navy off-the-shoulder dotted dress paired with fuchsia tights. To finish the look, the model sported a circular hat, white with navy dots, contrasting with the dress. The result is a perfect balance of savvy and bold, of classic yet refreshing.

The second polka dot outfit that caught our attention comes from Jill Stuart’s collection. It is a very romantic long black ruffled dress, classic and ladylike. The silhouette is elevated by the addition of white dots on the sleeves and the front of the dress : the look is simple, chic and stunning, and most of all : effortless.

Rodarte took the romantic dot game even further. The Mulleavy sisters gave the Rodarte line up an extremely girly and romantic dress, made of pale pink tiered tulle, ornamented with floral brooches and jewelry. The use of the polka dots makes the silhouette less formal and dressy, and gives it a playful, sophisticated edge, perfect for a summer garden party.

Marta Jakubowski’s take on dots is slightly bolder, with an all black see through frilled dress ornamented with black dots. The fabric is key to this modern boudoir look, which required no further accessorization than basic black pumps, light makeup and hair tied up in little knots.

Jacquemus, Dior, A.W.A.K.E

Maria Grazia Chiuri’s Dior polka dots are much more colorful and play with the juvenile connotation of dots, as she layered a long sleeved shirt with a sleeveless  dress, a combination often found in childrenswear. The red shirt has small, evenly spread black dots, whereas the dress is printed with dots of  increasingly larger sizes as it progressed to the hemline, and in reversed colors. But don’t get me wrong, we said juvenile, not childish, the silhouette is fresh and playful but not infantile thanks to the impeccable cut and the retro laced-up shoes.

At A.W.A.K.E, polka dot are playing it cool and conceptual. Big white dots on a black background ornament an asymmetrical wrap dress. Some chunky white sandals and an XXL straw hat complement the silhouette and bring a laid-back, summer nonchalance.

If you want to refrain from head-to-toe dots, an easier to pull off look is either the dotted top or skirt paired with some basics, just like this beach-ready outfit from Jacquemus’ La Bomba collection. The designer has combined a black slightly sheer tank top, nude sandals, mismatched earrings, and a white, pareo style skirt. The skirt is the centerpiece of the outfit, with its long black fringes along the hemline and supersized black dots, spread unevenly on the fabric. The ensemble is all we love about Jacquemus : slender movement, warm, and timeless.

This sampling of spotted looks demonstrates that rocking polka dots is easy peasy. The key to not looking  infantile is to keep balance between color, size and texture. Given the versatility of this print, no doubt you will be seeing dots this summer.

Marta Indeka

After studying Marketing at ESSEC Business School, Marta has recently joined Launchmetrics driven by the desire to engage in what thrills her most : fashion. When not scrolling through runway pictures or debating about prospective trends, she enjoys exploring new places in search of hidden gems.