If you think you’ve been seeing people wearing polka dots more than usual this summer, you’re not wrong. The retro pattern has been spotted on several runways recently, with brands like Carolina Herrera, Valentino, and Jacquemus introducing modern interpretations fit for 2025. But if you ask T&C editors? We say the bold speckles never went out of style in the first place. They’re timeless, and similarly to stripes, polka dots can be neutral.
While they’re usually worn during this time of year, there are several ways one can style them for the colder seasons, as showcased by Fendi and Altuzarra, who each sent billowy outerwear, dresses, and knitwear down their runways for fall/winter 2025. In fact, I’d go as far as saying that polka dots should be worn during the dreary months because the spots can infuse some life into a typical dark-toned winter wardrobe.
Ahead, I am sharing 11 clever ways to style polka dots now through the rest of the year.
Experiment with Polka-Dot Capri Pants
Love them or leave them, capri pants and pedal pushers are here to stay a little while longer. Earlier this summer, Hailey Bieber perfectly showcased how to wear the trend in 2025 with a polka-dot pair styled with a black boatneck tank and thong kitten heels. If you’re still feeling iffy about capris, why not try polka-dot Bermuda shorts? And when the weather starts getting cooler this fall, you can throw on a chic bomber jacket to autumn-ize the look. Here, similar options to try:
FRAME The Drape Tank
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Adriana Degreas Cotton-Blend Capri Pants
Toteme Kitten Heel Flip Flop
Vince Matte Jersey Boat-Neck Tank
DL1961 Premium Denim Hepburn Shorts High Rise
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Madewell The Chiara Kitten Heel Thong Sandal
Top Your Look with a Polka-Dot Silk Scarf
As a rule of thumb: Incorporating a silk scarf into your outfit can instantly elevate your look. And when it’s a polka-dot scarf? Even chicer. You can wear it the old-fashioned way wrapped around your head like Queen Elizabeth used to do, around your pony tail, tied to your purse handle, or around your shoulders. If you really want to take the trend into 2025, tie the scarf around your waist or wear it as a tube top.
Dolce&Gabbana Polka-dot Cotton Scarf
Valentino Garavani Chez Valentino Silk Scarf
Miu Miu Printed Twill Scarf
Prada Printed Silk Twill Scarf
Step Out in a Flirty Red Polka-Dot Dress
While polka dots are traditionally white and black or navy, don’t be afraid to try a colorful option. Exhibit A: Kaia Gerber is this flirty red speckled halter neck dress with white ballet pumps and a black shoulder bag is oh-so-adorable. This is something you can wear on repeat now, and with a denim jacket once the temps start hitting below 60 degrees again.
LilySilk Polka Dot Halter Neck Silk Dress
Repetto White Camille Heels
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Gucci Jackie 1961 Medium Bag
Posse Alice Polka-Dot Linen Minidress
Jimmy Choo Elme 45
Now 50% Off
Wear a Polka-Dot Matching Set for a Coordinated Look
A matching set will forever be my favorite secret style weapon. Wearing the coordinating pieces, as Sarah Jessica Parker recently did, can make you look put together, but the real beauty is that you can mix and match the top and bottom in a number of different ways. I live in a past-season polka-dot matching set Posse, but I found similar options which you can wear to create a variety of looks.
Rixo Lasca Polka-Dot Silk Top
Marella Livia Polka-Dot Belted Jacket
Hemant and Nandita Oversized Polka Dot Shirt
Rixo Ardith Polka-Dot Midi Skirt
Marella Marella Faiti Trousers
Hemat and Nandita Fitted Midi Skirt
Play with Autumnal Polka-Dot Hues
When I think brown polka dots, my mind immediately goes to Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman. That look is iconic and etched in my brain forever. That shade of polka dots is also ideal for summer, but I’d argue it’s even better for fall because the autumnal tone perfectly matches the foliage.
Dries Van Noten Calipso Polka-Dot Printed Sheer Cami Top
DÔEN Lorraine Polka Dot Silk Blend Satin Midi Dress
Nili Lotan Gaia Silk Shirt
Alessandra Rich Gathered Polka-Dot Silk Crepe de Chine Midi Dress
Throw in a Pop of Color
Everyone knows accessories are the exclamation point of an outfit. Because a classic polka-dot print tends to lean neutral, this is your perfect opportunity to throw in a pop of color. A navy polka-dot dress with a cherry red purse? Or a white polka-dot dress with red ballet flats? You can’t go wrong.
Loeffler Randall Maeve Ecru Leather Low Pump
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Self-Portrait Polka-Dot Taffetta Corset Dress
Prada Symbole Oval Sunglasses
Keep Things Elegant in a Polka-Dot Blouse
For a non-dress option, polka-dot separates are always a good move. I love wearing polka-dot trousers with a button down shirt and heels, but there’s also something so elegant about wearing a bowed blouse with wide-leg pants or jeans. If you want to add a modern twist to the look, try incorporating Bermuda shorts or thong sandals.
Akris Punto Smocked Polka Dot Silk Crepe De Chine Blouse
Now 59% Off
FRAME The Trouser Shorts
Now 30% Off
Jenni Kayne Sawyer Blouse
Banana Republic High-Rise Modern Straight Refined Pant
A.Emery Kinto Leather Thong Sandals
Style Polka Dots the Preppy Way
For a preppier take on polka dots, try styling the pattern with a pair of brown loafers as Kirsten Dunst did last summer at Wimbledon. This look works for both now and fall, too.
Dôen Tahlia Belted Polka-Dot Silk-Blend Twill Midi Dress
Gucci Horsebit 1955 Shoulder Bag
Gap Lace-Trim V-Neck Crepe Maxi Dress
Now 10% Off
Aesther Ekme Sac Calfskin Suede Shoulder Bag
G.H.BASS Weejuns® Penny Loafer
Now 34% Off
Try the Polka Dot Sundress-Sneaker Uniform
When in doubt, the sundress and sneaker combination never fails. Case in point: Natasha Rothwell looked fabulous in a bold printed dress with black sneakers during a press day earlier this year. You can keep your look tonal as she did, or throw in some fun color. Maybe a pair of silver sneakers and a metallic purse, or a bright colorful pair with a matching purse—either way, they work.
Dries Van Noten Leather and Suede Sneakers
Bottega Veneta Baby Sardine
Alessandra Rich Pleated Gathered Polka-Dot Silk Crepe de Chine Midi Dress
Rabanne 1969 Ball Metal Shoulder Bag
Wear Polka Dots the Kate Middleton Way
No one loves polka dots more than Kate Middleton. The Princess of Wales often sports the spotty print throughout the year, but especially in summer, and wears it as a dress with elegant heels. Alessandra Rich is her go-to brand for polka-dot frocks, and I’ve listed some of the designer’s current season silhouettes to emulate Kate’s signature uniform.
Alessandra Rich Polka-Dot Midi Dress
Miu Miu Patent Leather Pumps
Alessandra Rich Bow-Embellished Gathered Polka-Dot Silk-Georgette Midi Dress
Jimmy Choo Romy 85 Suede Pumps
Veronica Beard Suede Top-Handle Clutch
Experiment with Polka-Dot Shoes
If you’re really feeling experimental, opt for polka-dot accessories. Camila Mendes (above) and Katie Holmes are just some of the stylish celebrities who stepped out in the look recently. If that’s the route you want to go, keep the rest of your outfit pared back to let your footwear take center stage.
Manolo Blahnik Carolyne Polka-Dot Mesh Pumps
ViBi VENEZiA Riviera Convertible Bow Polka-Dot Silk Mary Jane Flats
Mach & Mach Le Cadeau Bow Polka Dot Slingback Pump
Dolce & Gabbana Polka Dot Ballerina Shoes
For Love & Lemons Audrey Heel
Now 27% Off
Zara Polka Dot Strappy Sandals
Now 60% Off
Sophie Dweck is the Associate Shopping Editor for Town & Country, where she covers all things fashion, beauty and lifestyle, shares her expertise on the most worthwhile luxury products, tests and writes in-depth reviews on the very best essentials worth investing in, as well breaking news about the latest launches, and of course, reports on the biggest sales and deals to shop no matter the day. Some of her favorite items to date are Gwyneth Paltrow’s ski trial cardigan, the Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser, and ZIIP’s microcurrent device. When Sophie isn’t testing state-of-the art beauty tech or breaking down TikTok aesthetics, she loves indulging in BonBon sweets (Sorbisars, for the win!) and finding the next trend before it goes viral.
