From red carpets to designer runways – once a retro favorite – polka dots are back and well underway. Once a symbol of 1950s femininity, this exemplary design is now in the hands of current innovators who are giving this timeless style a modernized twist to bring appeal to the fashion landscape. Whether this design is being painted on nails or plastered on shirts and blazers, polka dots are immensely reclaiming their place in the spotlight of trends. 

The pattern first appeared in the early 1920s, experiencing a significant boom. Initially, polka dots had the name “spots,” which evolved from a threatening disease in the Middle Ages. The name we all know today was created later in the 1840s, giving the style a joyful implication. After being publicized, this cultivated and playful design came to life in fashion through well-known celebrities such as Princess Diana and Marilyn Monroe. 

 Now, polka dots are coming back to life in today’s fashion. This pattern is being mixed, matched, and sometimes mismatched with other patterns. From nail designs to fun tops, there is always a way to incorporate the lively design we are familiar with. Designers Marc Jacobs and Carolina Herrera evidently embrace polka dots in their designs and silhouettes, bringing confidence rather than nostalgia to the style.

 Jocelin Gonzalez ‘27, a junior at BHS, points out, “I love that Polka dots are back in style. I really love the polka dot nails and tops that are trending right now, especially the navy blue and white polka dot design.”    

As trends continue to recycle through the decades of fashion, polka dots have proved their worth and spot. What was once a simple, amusing design has developed into a courageous expression of self-reliance and uniqueness. Whether polka dots are seen on red carpets or in architecture, polka dots remind everyone