Spring Trends - The Polka Dot

Every season, there are always one or two trends which seem to out-do others also in the sartorial stakes. Last spring and summer we saw pretty embroidered pieces showering our high-street on jeans, blazers and tees, with the rise of the basket bag taking full hold too.

This year, alongside the florals, lace and muted pastel hues we see returning faithfully year after year, one print in particular has been making quite the impact in the fashion world.

Polka dots, for me, are always terribly reminiscent of the 1980s. Big, bold and monochrome, they epitomise the strong power-dressing era with feminine silhouettes, big shoulder pads and patent accessories. For S/S18 however, this enduring print has had a bit of a make-over. From the catwalks to the store-fronts, we’re seeing them adorn blouses, midi-skirts, tights and shoes, with the odd two-piece making a bold appearance too.

While many may feel the need to shy away in favour of a more subtle print, polka dots can be added seamlessly into everyday outfits and work wardrobes with smaller, more wearable accessories including scarves, bags and shoes.

What’s more, if your style is more bold than monochromatic, our favourite stores are introducing brighter alternatives too – from sunshine yellows to cherry reds and sky blues – so there’s really no excuses for not going dotty over this increasingly popular trend.

It’s not just the catwalks or high-street that have been embracing the spots either, we’ve seen them all across Pinterest style boards, on our Instagram feeds and celebrities too. While they may never quite match the timeless edge that the faithful Breton stripe holds year after year, polka dots certainly have the enduing ability to remain a stylish option for the foreseeable future.

If you’re still not convinced, I’ve included a few of my favourite options below:

Black Spot Swimsuit | Next | £34