I Thought Polka-Dot Dresses Were Everything—Until I Tried On This Chic Alternative

Part of my task as junior trend editor right here at Who What Wear UK is to check out trending seems to be and items. I take the entire trend inspiration from the runways, my social feeds and the new-in sections of our favorite retail outlets to evaluate have compatibility, cloth, price and high quality, and to peer how those tendencies translate on a frame in actual existence. It takes one thing in reality particular to forestall me lifeless in my tracks, but when there’s one development I will’t get sufficient of at the moment, it’s polka dots. Last week, I used to be writing in regards to the joys of the polka-dot get dressed, however this week, a number of spotty two-piece units has stuck my consideration. Whilst out developing content material for our social channels, I used to be blown away by means of the sheer selection of ultra-chic and flexible two-piece polka-dot units to be had around the board, from the excessive avenue to high-end. Maybe my gaze was once already primed for this vintage print, however the wave of coordinating polka-dot outfits I noticed around the storefronts of London made something transparent: I needed to carry this development directly to you.

Summer is traditionally a season ruled by means of shiny florals and lovely ditsy prints, however in 2025, polka dots are the front-runner for development of the instant. Retro but minimum, fashionable celebrities reminiscent of Jennifer Lawrence, Laura Harrier and Dua Lipa have embraced the fashion from each and every perspective, dressed in dots in grid posts at the ‘gram, casually in the city and with sophistication on the red carpet. I knew this trend was worth taking notice of when the queen of performance-driven fashion, Ariana Grande, took to TikTok in a full polka-dot look (yes, it included a cape), lip-syncing to Wicked with influencers and prompting R.E.M Beauty’s latest drop.

But it’s now not simply the A-list connecting the dots—Who What Wear’s search engine optimization author, Ava Gilchrist, is absolutely backing the fashion, championing polka dots as a “true neutral” in her cloth cabinet. Reflecting at the print’s evolving id, she notes that polka dots can “often come across a little bourgeois, which is why I tend to wear them in cuts that are more sensual, to subvert any stiff or conservative connotation they once held.” It’s a sentiment I wholeheartedly proportion. As she places it, “They’re inherently quite playful, flirty and ‘feminine’, meaning they can be mixed with tough leather pieces or softened with a pair of jeans with ease.” Her ultimate tip? “A word to the wise: the smaller the spot, the chicer the look.”

Although it will really feel as although polka dots have unexpectedly seemed out of nowhere, that couldn’t be farther from the reality. Designers reminiscent of Fendi, Moschino and Isabel Marant leaned closely into the print of their 2025 collections, signalling a much wider go back to daring, ’80s-style statement-making patterns in haute couture. But let’s be transparent: polka dots have at all times been right here. What’s other this season is the mainstream embody. High-street favourites like Zara, H&M and COS have rolled out a wide number of dot-centric items of their spring/summer season strains, making the fashion extra available than ever. Meanwhile, fashion-insider labels reminiscent of Susamusa are environment the web alight; its Polka Dot Meadow Skirt become a Google Trends breakout superstar and bought out inside of an afternoon when it introduced. And it’s now not simply skirts; searches for polka-dot halter tops are up 200%, appearing that this print is greater than a fad—it’s the defining development of the season.

And this, readers, is strictly why I’m right here to let you know {that a} polka-dot co-ord is a development price making an investment in. It does the entire heavy lifting for you. The proper set is the definition of trendy comfort—easy, pulled-together and ceaselessly flexible. A well-chosen co-ord gives a complicated most sensible that pairs seamlessly with the whole lot from denim to tailoring, and matching bottoms that paintings simply as arduous to your cloth cabinet. On my buying groceries travels, I’ve come throughout 3 standout units that deserve your consideration, from Mango, Reformation and Ganni. Trust me: I’ve attempted them and so they’re price shouting about.

1. Reformation Dorothea Two Piece