May 21, 2025
When I heard that polka dot patterns were making a return, I was instantly transported to the year 2020. I had spent much of this time binge-watching season four of The Crown. I also lost myself in online rankings of “Princess Diana’s Most Iconic ’80s Looks” while Emma Corrin’s wardrobe on-screen etched itself into my Covidaddled mind.
Consumers are moving away from quiet luxury and towards something more loud and decadent. One friend recently told me: “It is time to embrace the chaotic hedonism and opulence of glam and reject the oppressive chic of the past.” It seems we are entering the age of “boom boom”, a term coined in the 1980s by Sean Monahan to describe a return to unapologetic excess and a mood that oozes opulence with a nihilistic twist. The fur-laden, power-shoulder aesthetic is somewhere between American Psycho’s (minus the murders) and Lady Gaga’s “Beautiful, Dirty, Rich”. This new look is dominated by the polka-dot, which has been seen on every runway from Fendi to Moschino and Isabel Marant.
Bora Aksu’s layered tulle dotty dresses and Conner Ives’ sheer slip dresses with large tonal dots were both popular in London. Moschino was more out there with Mickey Mouse-inspired polka-dot blazers, deconstructed slips, and the sheer polka-dot skirt by Instagram favourite Susa Mua. Dua Lipa, a celebrity who has quickly embraced this trend, was spotted wearing a strapless pink Valentino Spring/Summer 2025 outfit that would have looked right at home on a Chelsea Dancefloor circa 1981.
The street-style crowd has shown that there are many ways to wear the print without looking like Sloane Ranger. This trend can be incorporated in many ways, whether through leather, bold colours, or subtle accents.
Strengthen with leather
When you pair polka dot with leather, it instantly eliminates all prim and proper associations. Try wearing a sheer spotted shirt under your boxy biker jacket or a floaty dress with your worn-in leather booties.
More
We say to those who don’t fear making a statement: embrace the mess! Bold colours and oversized dots keep things playful. The trick is to commit.
Keep the tonal
To achieve a subtler look, choose tonal polka dot patterns. This stripped-back approach to a trend that could be loud is best started with black and navy.
The accessory’s first approach
Accessories are a great way to get started if you want to dip your foot in the polka-dot pool. Depending on how committed you are to the 80s, you can add a statement pair of tights, a dotty tote bag, or even spotty scarves to your outfit.
A monochrome moment
Black and white is a classic combination that most people will embrace. A white dress with black dots, or vice versa, is a classic look that doesn’t have to feel too retro.
0 Comments