Polka Dot Dresses Are The Trend Jennifer Lawrence & Olivia Rodrigo Can't Get Enough Of
With several of our favorite stars choosing to, in the words of Hannah Montana, "pop it, lock it, and polka dot it," it's the start of a renaissance for the polka dot pattern. Recently, we've seen the polka dot dress worn by the likes of Jennifer Lawrence, who was one of the best-dressed stars at the 2024 Oscars in a floor-length gown with a matching wrap. We've also seen the look on Olivia Rodrigo, who sported a mini dress with knee-high boots in a May 2024 post on her Instagram account.
Both stars opted for white polka dots on black to show off the trend, but believe us when we say that's not the only way to pull off the classic polka dot dress look. Spotty dresses are also a favorite of none other than Kate Middleton, who's worn them in a wide range of colors over the years.
"Polka dots are a youthful, approachable and playful design. They can make an elegant and sophisticated style more relatable," Susie Nelson, style expert and founder of Modes and More Vintage, explained to Express. "They are easy to accessorize and not so busy that they take over or smother the design of the dress or item of clothing." So, with that in mind, we've gathered all the inspo you need to take on this youthful yet classic style.
Add frills to the polka dot dress trend
Polka dots are already youthful, but if you want to take it a little further, try a polka dot dress with ruffles. Ruffles are super fun and bring a little whimsy to your style. Think frills around the skirt, or on the sleeves, for a super flattering look. Just be mindful though that although frills will age down your look somewhat, they are notorious for adding bulk to your silhouette. So this may not be for you if you're looking for a slimmer shape.
Layer your polka dots
If dresses aren't for you but you still want to get in on this trend (we don't blame you!), try layering. For a little more coverage, try putting a strappy polka-dot dress over a plain T-shirt or a long-sleeved top. This also works well if you want to try the trend in the cooler months, as it'll help give you a little extra warmth.
Go sheer
Another way to make the polka dot dress trend your own is to combine it with the sheer clothing trend. Polka dots lend themselves well to sheer fabrics as they add a little something extra to the see-through look. While some dresses will come with a slip, others don't, and that's where you can have some fun. You can go matchy-matchy and wear a slip in the color of the dots so they blend in, or you could go the opposite way and rock a totally different shade to help the polka dots stand out.
Try a bodycon polka dot dress
If you've got it, flaunt it, right? And you've got it! Show off your confidence in a bodycon polka dot dress, a super cute way to embrace a young and fun look while being super on-trend at the same time. A mini dress is perfect as the temperature gets a little warmer, but if you're not quite ready to go tight and short, try a midi bodycon dress. This will finish closer to the calf rather than the upper thigh and help create a jaw-dropping hourglass silhouette.
Red polka dots will give a vintage feel
Because polka dot dresses have been around so long, they can often have a vintage feel. So why not lean into the look? Red polka dots in particular lend themselves to a 1950s-inspired style, which is super flattering on so many shapes and sizes. A red dress with white dots is a classic look that's hard to get wrong. After all, Minnie Mouse has rocked it all these years and stayed on trend, right?