After years of quiet luxury dominating the runway, this season marks a significant shift as designers embrace more daring and out-there aesthetics for inspiration. From statement, feather-adorned skirts showcased at Chanel to sequined checks at Burberry, the fashion world is clearly moving towards a more-is-more aesthetic.
Polka Dots: The Print of the Season
For those looking to adopt the maximalist trend in a wearable way, polka dots serve as an excellent starting point. This print has been prominently featured at prestigious fashion houses such as Rowen Rose, Dries Van Noten, and Jean Paul Gaultier, solidifying its status as this season's print du jour.
Styling Essentials
Key pieces to incorporate into your wardrobe include a shawl priced at £32 and shoes at £39 from riverisland.com, a skirt for £50 from forevernew.co.uk, earrings at £148 from astleyclarke.com, a bangle set of two for £12.99 from newlook.com, and a bag for £24 from asos.com.
- River Island Waterfall Polka Dot Cape
- River Island Sling Back Court Shoes
- Forever New Mimi Flute Maxi Skirt
- New Look Set of 2 Chunky Bangles
Modern Takes on a Vintage Print
While polka dots carry a distinctively vintage feel, with icons like Princess Diana, Marilyn Monroe, and Julia Roberts known for their iconic wear, this season's approach steps away from preppy connotations. Instead, the focus is on chic, timeless interpretations of the trend.
Most designs feature classic navy or black hues, with designers avoiding bright colours. Sleek, minimalist shapes are favoured over vintage-adjacent fit-and-flare silhouettes, as seen in shoes priced at £50 from joebrowns.co.uk.
Celebrity Endorsements
Celebrities have quickly adopted this trend, with Naomi Watts, Industry star Myha'la Herrold, and Scout Willis all spotted in polka dot prints recently. The polka dot Sister Jane coat gained viral attention after being worn by fashion content creator Polly Newman at Copenhagen Fashion Week, leading to it being out of stock everywhere.
Top Styling Tips for Polka Dots
If you're tempted to try this trend, here are some expert tips for styling polka dots this season. Consider sunglasses priced at £175 from Marc Jacobs at zalando.co.uk to complete your look.
- Mix different sized polka dots together to add interest and depth to a head-to-toe outfit in the print.
- Lean towards sleek silhouettes rather than anything vintage-inspired, such as a fit-and-flare dress, to avoid a preppy feel.
- Wear ballet pumps with cropped bottoms to hint at the ankle, which helps elongate the leg.
Hair and make-up were styled by Lindsey Poole using Merit Beauty, with model Candice at IMM. For added ambiance, a candle priced at £58 and a candle snuffer at £31 from diptyqueparis.com were used.
