Polka dots have made their way back into our sartorial lexicon, appearing across the high street and couture this season. The pattern evokes '40s glamour, in large part thanks to Christian Dior's post-war 'New Look', which featured exquisite pieces in dotted fabric. During the '50s, retro swimsuits and circle skirts were often worn in polka dot prints, and iconic cultural references like Rosie the Riveter and Minnie Mouse have kept the print firmly in a vintage context.
And yet its revival was prominent on SS17's catwalks. Perhaps inspired by the Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama (her 2016 installation All the Eternal Love I Have for the Pumpkins was all over Instagram), spots came in all shapes, sizes, patterns and colours. Anteprima stuck with classic monochrome but clashed big dots with small, Givenchy gave '80s-inspired dresses a rainbow of polka dots, and Dolce & Gabbana kept the old-school glamour with ruffled dotted dresses and hair bows.
On formal dresses, frilled blouses and playful dungarees, polka dots are no longer confined to one aesthetic, making them the most accessible print for summer. Click through for our pick of the best pieces around.
We'll be wearing this multicoloured Zara blouse on hot summer evenings.
Zara Puffy Polka Dot Top, £7.99, available at Zara
This whole look is very Sade, and we're hooked.
Kitri Vera Polka Dot Wrap Blouse, £95, available at Kitri
Perfect for lazy Sundays, these Monki dungarees add some fun to the trend.
Monki Polka Dot Dungarees, £40, available at Monki
Ruffles and polka dots are big hitters this season.
Diane von Furstenberg Polka Dot Blouse, £191, available at Matches Fashion
Dresses over T-shirts are summer-in-the-city dressing sorted.
& Other Stories Wide Strap Dress, £45, available at & Other Stories
This satin dress is a classic shape and timeless print.
Ganni Leclair Satin Dress, £200, available at Ganni
More ruffles, but this time Stella pairs polka dots with stripes for a print clash.
Stella McCartney Stripe And Polka-Dot Silk Skirt, £435, available at Matches Fashion
This '50s-inspired dress is super-sweet.
Topshop Spot Dobby Button Bardot Dress, £39, available at Topshop
We've seen plenty of polka dot jumpsuits this season, but this Urban one is our favourite.
Urban Outfitters Pins & Needles Wrap Jumpsuit, £52, available at Urban Outfitters
Now this is a dress. Pair with huge statement earrings and your best heels, and hit the Riviera.
Saloni Greta Dress, £392, available at Matches Fashion
This Mango crop top comes with matching trousers.
Mango Polka Dot Crop Top, £25.99, available at Mango
More of a Dalmatian print, this will make your T-shirt collection more interesting.
& Other Stories Polkadot T-Shirt, £19, available at & Other Stories
The perfect summer blouse.
Anna October Off-The-Shoulder Polka-Dot Top, £413, available at Matches Fashion
Slip dresses will take you from summer to colder months – pair with jeans now, add a roll neck later.
Nobody's Child Cream Spot Mix Print Tie Back Dress, £15, available at Nobody's Child
We love this dip-hem illusion.
Finery Acton White Polka Dot Shirt Dress, £85, available at Finery
All you need is a wicker bag, sunnies and some Birkenstocks.
Mara Hoffman Embroidered Dots Cotton Dress, £330, available at Selfridges
It's all in the (back) details, thanks to H&M.
H&M Frilled Dress, £49.99, available at H&M
Rixo is making some of the most inventive fabrics we've seen of late, and this neck tie is a nice addition to a classic blouse.
Rixo Moss Blouse, £175, available at Rixo
Wrap dresses are universally flattering, and it's nice to stray from monochrome polka dots.
Reformation Carina Dress, £194.68, available at Reformation
Stop the search for the perfect wedding guest outfit. The blue shadow on these dots is a nice detail, too.
ASOS CURVE Tiered Spot Maxi Dress, £45, available at ASOS
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
The Dress With An 800+ Waiting List Is Back In Stock