Polka Dots: These Dotted Pieces Are Our Summer Favorites

May 9, 2025, 8:57 am | Read time: 3 minutes

Every year, we are reminded of the charm of polka dots. This summer, the pattern is once again in vogue. STYLEBOOK showcases trendy looks.

Whether on blouses, dresses, or shoes, polka dots are indispensable this summer. The dotted pattern has a major advantage: it automatically makes any outfit appear more playful and feminine. Perfect for hot summer days! Find out which polka dot pieces are trending this year here.

Iconic Dots

Polka dots have essentially achieved iconic status. One of their most memorable appearances was in 1990 when the classic film “Pretty Woman” was released, and Julia Roberts charmed everyone in her coffee-brown dress with white dots. Seeing someone in a similar look today immediately brings that film scene to mind.

But the pattern shines not only on the big screen. Polka dots are particularly popular among royals, especially Princess Kate. In recent years, she has worn the dotted pattern in every form, much like Princess Diana once did.

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The fact that dots are a big theme again this year was also highlighted by the Met Gala. Under the theme “Tailored for You,” inspired by the “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, numerous celebrities gathered to showcase their looks. This time, the focus was on dots. Whether in a small form like Rihanna or an all-over look like Priyanka Chopra, polka dots were the pattern of the moment at the 2025 Met Gala.

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Polka Dots Are a Classic

But it’s not just actresses or royals who can wear dots; we “regular folks” can’t go wrong with the pattern either. A classic is the black-and-white combo, meaning white dots on black fabric or vice versa. A real eye-catcher is cream-colored polka dots on a brown background, just like in “Pretty Woman.”

While in recent years the dots have often been larger and asymmetrical, they are now appearing in smaller and more orderly forms on our clothing.

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STYLEBOOK Favorites Polka Dots! These Dotted Pieces Are Our Summer Go-To

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STYLEBOOK Favorites with Dots

Dresses and Jumpsuits

The absolute classic is the dress with polka dots. We love it, of course, in the summer of 2025! Particularly beautiful are midi-length versions, but also short dresses with black-and-white dot patterns. Not in the mood for a dress? Then a jumpsuit is the right choice. Thanks to the dots, the suit automatically looks more playful and less sporty.

From Shorts to Midi Skirts

Besides dresses, wide pants, shorts, and midi skirts are also getting a dot upgrade this summer. Here, too, the dominant colors are black and white. It becomes less conspicuous with versions where the dots and the main fabric are the same shade but differ in transparency or material.

Dotted for the Beach

Swimwear is a must in the summer! A bikini with polka dots looks cute and feminine, while a swimsuit appears much more playful. Add a large beach bag and a towel, and nothing stands in the way of a day at the lake!

Shoes and Accessories

If you want to ease into the dotted pattern, you can start small. How about a pair of socks? They peek out just slightly from your shoes. Scrunchies or hair clips with polka dots are also nice. For those feeling a bit bolder, try sneakers with the trendy pattern.

This article is a machine translation of the original German version of STYLEBOOK and has been reviewed for accuracy and quality by a native speaker. For feedback, please contact us at info@stylebook.de.