Seeing spots: The polka dot pieces were shopping in 2026

Forget florals and stripes: 2026 is the year of the polka dot. Of course, it’s not the first time polka dots have risen through the sartorial ranks. In fact, like many of our favourite trends of the current moment – bandeaus, thongs, and headbands, to name a few – the humble print takes its cues from decades past. In the ‘20s, polka dots came to prominence thanks to Minnie Mouse and her signature red dress; in the ‘50s, Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell made a case for polka dots as the girlish print of the moment; in the ‘50s, they were co-opted by the mod fashion movement; and in the ‘60s, they were sported by the likes of Princess Diana, and Julia Roberts (in *that* Pretty Woman scene).

polka dot trend Fast forward to 2026, and we find ourselves in the midst of yet another polka dot renaissance. Dior took on the trend in several iterations for Autumn Winter 2026, followed by a sun-soaked take from Jacquemus for Spring Summer 2027.

The pattern also cropped up on several major runways during the Spring Summer 2024 shows, this time shedding its ultra-feminine origins, to take on an edgier, more grown-up feel. At Stella McCartney, flouncy polka dot tops were dressed down with baggy denim, while mini dresses were crafted from daringly draped and dotted fabric that sat high on models’ thighs. Maison Margiela and Marc Jacobs subverted the norm, with oversized spots cropping up on dresses at both House’s shows, while Alaïa and Balmain had us dreaming of an event-ready wardrobe consisting entirely of polka dots.

And in the Autumn Winter 2025 collections, the print proved itself a mainstay. This season, the likes of Moschino, Valentino, and Sandy Liang made a case for polka dots that whispered, rather than shout, whether that be woven subtly into the layers of a dress, as a single statement in the form of a jacket, or draped over the shoulders in a silk scarf.

If you had any doubt about the versatility of the polka dot du jour, you need only look at the multitude ways the print has already managed to infiltrate our summer wardrobes. Perfect for those who lean more towards minimalism, this season’s polka dots have become the new neutral, with pencil skirts, camisoles, and slip dresses that ooze ’90s sensibility. Ready to test drive the trend? Below, shop the polka dot pieces we’re obsessing over this summer.