Look — polka dots are back. Not that fluffy granny-apron kind of dots. I mean the dots that can smack you with their aggression, play with contrast — show that you make fashion, not wear it. In 2025–2026 those dots flooded runways, streets, shop windows. If you’re a stylist — you either ride that wave, or you look like a dinosaur.
Where it’s been spotted • Jacquemus — think he’d sneak polka dots into his minimal-retro game? Guess what: pencil skirts, blazers, 50s vibes… but sharpened up with modern balls. • Moschino — this kid treats dots like power-ups in Mario. Serious? Hell no. It’s jokes, provocation, whimsy — dots on tops, one-piece dresses, deconstructed outfits. • Carolina Herrera — if you’re into femininity, she made polka very soft, airy, but striking. Lace, chiffon, evening and daytime dresses — dots everywhere. • Acne Studios — not everything needs to be cutesy. They took dots, threw them on oversized silhouettes, jeans, shirts — and made them look raw and modern. • Fendi and Isabel Marant — drove the dot trend into Winter 2025. Fendi — plush coats spotted in dots, Marant — boho flair mixed with laces, textures and relaxed chic.
And yeah — 2026 doesn’t back down on polka dots. Khaite, Tibi, Private Policy and others already showed dotted pieces in their spring collections.
Why this is more than “just retro revival” • Polka became universal. Mini, maxi, suits, evening wear — with dots you’re no longer “picnic auntie”, you become “the beast that can seduce and crush simultaneously.” • It’s flexible: from ultra-minimal to dramatic theatrical flair — depending on how you play it. • It works on contrast. Like cream in strong coffee: soft dots + harsh background — people’s gaze locks on it.
How you use this trend in 2025-2026 • Don’t be afraid to mix styles: dots + streetwear cut = a hook that grabs attention. • Use polka dots to sculpt character: from romantic (à la Carolina Herrera) to chaotic and bold (like Moschino). • Press on contrast — dots + rough materials, leather, oversized fits — that’s your chance to stand out.
If you want a personal stylist in Paris who builds outfits based on your lifestyle, body structure, and inner archetype, I’ll guide you through the trend and make it work for you—not the other way around. I curate pieces that last, match your colors, and help you look confident in any setting. xoxo