If you stepped outside this summer, you probably saw multiple people covered in polka dots. The cheeky print was seemingly everywhere on bikinis, flip-flops, bags, and skirts. You couldn't escape it. Some might even say we reached peak polka dot. But as the weather got cooler, the prints got more serious. As expected, there's been a lot of plaid with some pops of animal print here and there.
But then something unexpected happened. I walked into Sandy Liang and spotted (quite literally) the Cairo Cardigan, a polka-dot knit from the designer's F/W 25 collection. Unlike other polka-dot items that had taken over my feed in recent months, it felt perfect for the chillier season. I haven't stopped thinking about it since and how perfect it would look with my long skirts and chunky loafers.
Shortly thereafter, I was perusing J.Crew's new arrivals and noticed a tighter-fitting, cropped red polka-dot cardigan. I bought it instantly, and it's quickly becoming one of my most worn pieces this winter. I love how it adds a touch of twee to my layered looks, and I love that it feels a bit more exciting than plaid or animal print. That being said, I love to mix prints and patterns, and polka dots do look fun alongside either of those. Wearing polka dots with textures and standard cold-season patterns can make a winter 'fit feel more playful than drab.
Now, it feels like almost every shop I pop into has a polka-dot knitwear piece that feels perfect for right now, so whoever said we've reached peak polka dot was respectfully wrong. If anything, I think we're about to see another polka-dot wave. In that case, I'll probably be investing in that Sandy Liang cardigan… and maybe every other option below while I'm at it.
Shop the polka-dot trend below.
