While some trends are a slow burn, others seemingly spring from nowhere overnight – somehow, the polka dot revival has straddled both categories.
After slowly cropping up on runway after runway in recent seasons, our northern hemisphere counterparts have spent their summer suddenly and whole-heartedly adopting the polka dot as the print of the moment. And, it’s very likely we’ll see the Australians follow suit as the weather warms.
Fashion’s love affair with the dot runs deep, with its popularity peaking in the 1920s, 50s and 60s with the mod fashion movement and again in the ‘90s. The last time the simple spot was truly in vogue however, was the early 2010s.
The Spring/Summer 2025 runways were dotted – quite literally – with this nostalgic motif. Carolina Herrera embraced the romantic side of the print with flowing chiffon dresses covered in delicate pastel dots.
Rodarte leaned into surrealism with painterly polka dots scattered across dark, gothic silhouettes, while Jacquemus kept it playful with micro-dot sets in breezy linen and sheer, second-skin fabrications.
Closer to home, Zimmermann’s Resort 2025 collection featured structured suiting and dreamy dresses in tonal dot prints that felt grounded yet ethereal.
The undercurrent of the runways revived obsession felt overwhelmingly romantic, and so began its infiltration into the mainstream.
Quickly co-opted by the celebrity set, the sheer and soft spots were soon transformed. Hailey Bieber gave the print a noughties twist in spotted capris and thong heels, while Olivia Rodrigo opted for a pop-punk edge in printed micro shoots and biker boots.
The pattern has even managed to infiltrate our beauty routines with both Hailey and Dua Lipa co-signing polka dot nail art.
To add the playful print into your wardrobe rotation in a 2025 way, we recommend opting for sheer skirts and dresses or bold tops and bottoms used to bring joy and the unexpected to otherwise understated looks.
Shop marie claire’s Edit Of Polka Dot Tops, Dresses, Skirts
Allegra Dress
$300 at Realisation Par
Manolo Blahnik Carolyn Heel
$1,565 at Net-A-Porter
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