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Every summer, certain breakout fashion trends emerge—as though we all collectively got the same memo that a certain print or shoe is in. These past few weeks, the streets have been taken over by polka dots: they’re everywhere! Celebrities such as Hailey Bieber, Olivia Rodrigo, and Rihanna have all been embracing the retro pattern in fresh, new ways. (They were also a huge trend of the resort 2026 season.) But while dotted designs can lean 1920s, the era they became popularized, the new styling approach is all about subverting that sweetness—by plastering dots on unexpected pieces like ties, shorts, and even capri leggings.
Call it a cooler, grungier take on polka dot dressing; the 2025 way of wearing the pattern is all about offsetting it with more downtown-worthy pieces. Earlier this week, Rihanna offered a masterclass in the trend: The star dined at Giorgio Baldi in an oversized ERL suit and sheer Fenty bra, punctuating the look with a big polka-dotted tie, left undone around her neck. It struck the right balance of classic and contemporary. Ditto for Olivia Rodrigo, who stepped out in New York this summer wearing a pair of micro polka-dotted shorts. Styled with a blank tank and leather biker boots? She made polka dots worthy of a pop-punk star.
Again, this approach covering yourself in dots is one we saw during the recent resort 2026 season. At Coach, rockstar-worthy plaids and leathers were juxtaposed against peppy polka-dotted ties. Fendi took a fully-monochromatic route by pairing a dotted shirt, skirt, and belt together. Sandy Liang, meanwhile, paired her version of a polka-dotted collared shirt—silky and ruffled—with a pink plaid mini skirt. Who doesn’t love an artful textile clash?
The slightly twisted take is seemingly gaining legs this summer, as we are now starting to see polka dots on the most unlikeliest of pieces. Hailey Bieber s seasonal wardrobe is a prime example: The model and Rhode founder stepped out in New York City recently wearing a pair of spotted capri leggings. (Yes, capris—those are having a moment, too.) The pattern is now making its way onto everything from athleisure, to luxurious Manolo Mary Janes.
The saturation of the trend now means you can truly make of it whatever you wish. I don’t know about you, but I’m inspired by the more off-kilter styling. Pair chic dotted Manolos with baggy jeans, or a more formal polka dot top with gym shorts! Make the trend weird and fun! Think less Audrey Hepburn, more polarizing trendsetter. Riri would approve.
