Demi Moore looks subtly chic in a polka dot gown at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival this year. Photo: Anadolu via AFP
From red carpets to street style, celebrities are showing that polka dots are once again fashion’s most playful yet refined trend.
The print first rose to prominence in the 1950s, embraced by icons like Marilyn Monroe and Audrey Hepburn, before cycling back through the decades as a symbol of timeless femininity with a touch of whimsy.
Today, the classic motif has been reimagined on sheer dresses, blouses and even ties.
Famous personalities like the Catherine Princess of Wales, Demi Moore, Asap Rocky, Gigi Hadid and Hailey Bieber have been wearing it in bold, contemporary ways that feel fresh rather than nostalgic.
One of the most iconic moments in polka dot history came from Spanish designer Cristobal Balenciaga, who frequently incorporated the print into his sculptural silhouettes in the 1950s and 1960s, giving the playful motif a sense of haute couture gravitas.
Decades later, designers like Carolina Herrera made polka dots a signature element of her brand, using them in crisp blouses and elegant gowns that exuded timeless sophistication.
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The motif also made a memorable appearance in the late 1980s, when designers embraced bold, oversized dots in vibrant colours, reflecting the exuberance of the decade.
In more recent years, polka dots have repeatedly resurfaced on the runways with fresh interpretations.
Marc Jacobs reimagined the print in exaggerated proportions for his Spring/Summer 2011 collection, while Comme Des Garcons played with surreal, abstract dot patterns that blurred the line between art and fashion.
Maria Grazia Chiuri (while at Dior from 2016 to May, 2025) has also leaned into the motif, sending models down the runway in ethereal, sheer polka dot gowns that merge romance with modernity.
Hailey Bieber shares her spotted look in an Instagram snap. Photo: Instagram/Hailey Bieber
Gigi Hadid is among the celebrities making polka dots seem youthful and cool. Photo: Instagram/Gigi Hadid
Each reinvention underscores the pattern’s versatility – capable of shifting from playful and whimsical to refined and avant-garde depending on how it’s styled.
On the red carpet, polka dots have delivered some of fashion’s most memorable style moments.
Julia Roberts set the tone in the 1990 film Pretty Woman with her brown polka dot dress, later echoed in her real-life appearances, while the late Princess Diana cemented the print’s regal charm with her many dotted ensembles throughout the 1980s and 90s.
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Styling polka dots today is all about striking the right balance between classic charm and modern edge.
For a subtle take, pairing a dotted blouse with tailored trousers or denim creates an effortless everyday look, while bolder fashion lovers can lean into statement pieces like oversized polka dot dresses or co-ords.
Mixing scales – such as tiny dots with larger ones – adds depth without overwhelming a look. Accessories like spotted scarves or ties offer an easy entry point into the trend, as well.
More broadly, prints have always signified fashion’s ability to balance playfulness with statement-making power – whether it is florals, stripes or animal motifs.
Patterns bring instant personality to an outfit, and polka dots are once again proving their staying power in the rotation.
