They were on the Met carpet, they lit up the Coachella main stage, and now they’re in the video for Charli xcx’s 5-year-old hit party 4 u, polka dots are everywhere.
For such a controversial pattern, 2025 has definitely been the year of polka dots, and I don’t think we’ve seen the last of them. Some of the most prominent, forward-thinking stylists are already putting their clients in dots. Addison Rae’s stylist Dara had her wearing the pattern in a custom Miss Claire Sullivan for VS Pink look for the Coachella main-stage, and we even saw Mimi Cuttrell put Priyanka Chopra in a custom polka dot Balmain dress for the met. Does this mean the trend will trickle down?
To me, polka dots have a timeless feel. Even though they aren’t the most ‘everyday’ look, there is always a time and place for them, and lately we’ve been seeing that executed flawlessly. Pulling off this pattern takes a certain confidence mixed with the perfect amount of uniqueness in styling, and that’s exactly what’s been on display recently.
Charli xcx’s party 4 u video shows her in a custom ALL-IN dress that perfectly captures her personal style. The multi-colored polka dot ensemble just works, and so do the looks that follow. Her stylist Chris Horan sees her in ways not many can. This is a perfect example of how polka dots need a very specific climate to truly thrive in.
Influencer and socialite Halley Kate also rocked the pattern this week, showing how effortlessly it can be styled for a more casual yet chic look, perfect for more low-key events. It’s a great example of how to tap into the trend without stepping so far out of your comfort zone that it feels unnatural.
Polka dots might be controversial, but they keep proving their staying power again and again. I really hope more people keep pulling them off throughout the year. With summer coming up, I think this is the perfect time to see their renaissance trickle down into more everyday looks. Even though they can be a bold choice, personal style has already been evolving in more of a unique direction over the last couple of months anyway, so it’s not something that far out there to suggest.
Thinking Weekly 
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