We're sure you can dig up countless baby photos of yourself dressed adorably in polka dots. When you retired those little ruffled dresses and fabric, bow-adorned headbands, we bet you thought you were done with the playful print. Not so. Blame it on the resurgence of '80s trends [1] (women wore plenty of voluminous, full-sleeved minidresses splashed with the pattern during the decade), but polka dots are back.
We spotted them all over the streets at Fashion Week [2] from New York to Paris, and now we're itching to get our hands on the pieces that will help us pull off the look in the most sophisticated way. Ahead, read on for a handful of solid tips for styling (and layering [3]!) your dots this season, then shop some standout designs that will get you noticed in the best way.
Work a Monochrome Outfit and Add a Pop of Color With Your Bag
Red Accents Look Best With Monochrome Dots
Try a red bag, a red shoe, or a red neckerchief.
Coordinate the Pattern on Your Shoes and Belt
Polka Dots Look Most Sophisticated in the Form of a Belted Shirt Dress
Find a Polka-Dot Cape You Can Throw Over Everything
Play Up the '80s Vibes With a Leather Bootie and Paper-Bag Pants
Try Small, Dainty Polka Dots on a Sheer Dress
Dior's Spring 2017 collection [5] totally started the trend with a handful of these breezy patterned dresses and skirts.
Ground Your Light, Flowy Outfit With Combat Boots
Mix Big and Little
Buy Into 2 of the Most Versatile Polka-Dot Pieces: a Wrap Dress and Slingbacks
Coordinate a Sheer Polka-Dot Blouse With a Comfortable Tank Underneath
Complete Your Polka Dots With Peekaboo Details
This look is extra playful.
Find a Polka-Dot Mesh Turtleneck You Can Layer Under All Your Summer Dresses
Break Up a Dotted Dress With a Waist Belt or Corset
Go to All Lengths to Wear the Print From Your Head to Your Toes
Wear a Long Polka-Dot Dress Over Baggy Jeans With Heels
Choose Your Coordinate Set in the Pattern
Contrast With a Different Print of the Same Shade
Mustard yellow happens to be very on-trend [6].
Wear Your Silk Polka-Dot Skirt With Sporty Basics, Like a Bomber Jacket
Play It Up in Parisian Fashion With a Beret and Tights
Style Your Polka Dots With a Blazer, Denim, and Statement Earrings
Work an Elegant, Modest Silk Top in the Print
Complete with a newsboy cap [7] to tap into another trend.
Wear Them on a Girlie Tulle Skirt
Highlight your print by completing with polka-dot shoes in a contrast tone.
Zara Polka Dot Dress
Zara Polka Dot Dress [8] ($30)
Mango Buttoned Polka Dot Blouse
Mango Buttoned Polka Dots Blouse [9] ($50)
Monse Cutout Polka-Dot Blouse
Monse Cutout Polka-Dot Blouse [10] ($1,090)
Zara Polka Dot High Heel Court Shoes
Zara Polka Dot High Heel Court Shoes [11] ($60)
Dolce & Gabbana Polka Dot Belt
Dolce & Gabbana Embellished Polka Dot Belt [12] ($745)
Jessica Howard Polka-Dot Midi Dress
Jessica Howard Plus Size Polka-Dot Midi Dress [13] ($79)
Zara Mini City Bag
Zara Mini City Bag With Polka Dot Printed Scarf [14] ($40)
Unreal Fur Bubbles Coat
Unreal Fur Bubbles Coat [15] ($282)
Forever 21 Strapless Polka Dot Maxi Dress
Forever 21 Strapless Polka Dot Maxi Dress [16] ($58)
Marc Jacobs Polka-Dot Scarf
Marc Jacobs Polka-Dot Silk-Satin Twill Scarf [17] ($95)
Charlotte Russe Plus Size Polka Dot Tights
Charlotte Russe Plus Size Polka Dot Tights [18] ($9)
Zara Combined Polka Dot Shirt
Zara Combined Polka Dot Shirt [19] ($90)
Zimmermann Rife Dress
Zimmermann Rife High-Neck Pleated Polka-Dot Dress [20] ($960)
ASOS Ruffle Front Shirt Dress
ASOS Ruffle Front Shirt Dress in Spot and Floral Print [21] ($56)
Andrew Gn Asymmetric Polka-Dot Skirt
Andrew Gn Asymmetric Polka-Dot Skirt w/ Fringed Handkerchief Hem [22] ($1,590)
Moschino Coat
Moschino Coat [23] ($483)
Loewe Missy Polka Dot Leather Bag
Loewe Missy Polka-Dot Leather Bag [24] ($2,350)
Romance Was Born Big Bang Polka Dot Skirt
Romance Was Born Big Bang Polka Dot Skirt [25] ($540)
Forever 21 Sheer Polka Dot Crew Socks
Forever 21 Sheer Polka Dot Crew Socks [26] ($4)
ASOS Cami With Asymmetric Ruffle
ASOS Cami With Asymmetric Ruffle in Pretty Polka Dot [27] ($32)
Rock & Religion Polka Dot Printed Poncho
Rock & Religion Polka Dot Printed Poncho Pac-A-Trench [28] ($19)
