THE PRINT THAT NEVER AGES: POLKA DOTS IN 2026

THE PRINT THAT NEVER AGES: POLKA DOTS IN 2026

Hello, ladies! I got back from a fun trip to London with a longtime friend on Monday (after a five-hour delay). We had so much fun! We stayed at the Knightsbridge Hotel for two of the nights, which I can’t recommend enough! The hotel only has forty-four rooms on a quiet street just around the corner from Harrods. The rooms are adorably decorated ( by Kit Kemp) as well as the common areas. It’s a small boutique hotel, but big in personality! I loved it and would stay there again. The next three nights were spent with my daughter, husband, and two littles at a home he owns in London.

We did a lot of walking and lunching (with the littles), toured the Victoria and Albert Museum, and even went to an “authentic” Russian bathhouse (or Banya). It was probably a good thing we saved that for the last night, because we needed to sweat out the fun we had the previous nights! We had dinner at my favorite London restaurant, Scott’s (amazing Dover Sole), and one night at Carbone London, and the other at the restaurant in At Sloane (a collaboration between the historic Cadogan Estate, a major London landowner, and Parisian hotelier Jean-Louis Costes). After that dinner, we ended up getting escorted down to the bar, and things got crazy fun. We ended up dancing for an hour and meeting almost everyone there. We also had a great lunch at ABC Kitchens. Now I have a great memory of traveling to London with my great friend and being there with my daughter and granddaughters!

Today, I wanted to chat about connecting the dots… as in, wearing polka dots! Polka dots are proof that true classics never go out of style — they just get smarter, bolder, and more modern with each season. This playful pattern is shaping up to be one of 2026’s most wearable and uplifting print trends. Fashion editors and stylists are calling polka dots one of the prints to know this year. According to Who What Wear’s Spring 2026 trend roundup, polka dots are poised to be everywhere — from blouses to dresses to shirts — making them.

How to Wear Polka Dots in 2026

  1. Make It Modern with Minimal Pairings

A polka dot blouse looks chic with clean tailoring—think tapered trousers or classic denim — for a sleek, elevated look.

 2. Layer for Every Season

In cooler months, pair a bold dotted dress with knee-high boots and a leather jacket for a mix of classic and edgy vibes.

 3. Start With Accessories

Not ready to go full pattern? Introduce polka dot scarves, tights, or a cute handbag

 4. Mix and Match With Confidence

Pattern lovers can pair polka dots with stripes or florals — just keep color family consistent so the look feels cohesive.

 5. Balance Statement Pieces

A bold polka dot skirt or dress feels more modern when paired with a solid top or even a neutral blazer, keeping the look polished and wearable for everyday life.

I found this adorable sleeveless dress (yes, in the middle of winter — because fashion has no off-season), and I’ve already been sneaking it out on those rare warmer days with the help of a great coat or cozy sweater. This time, I layered it with a leather jacket (similar), pulled on my favorite boots (similar), and grabbed my little leopard tackle-box bag — because mixing prints is half the fun. Come spring and summer, this dress will be right back in rotation with simple sandals. One dress, endless lives.

DRESS // JACKET (similar)  // BOOTS (similar and similar) // BAG ( less expensive)

I don’t know about you, but the older I get, the harder it is to recover from travel, especially a long flight. Thank goodness the week is not that busy. I managed to book a massage for this afternoon. Again, my back is jacked up from flying. It is so worth it, though! I am also headed out to run errands to stock up on a lot of things we are running low on. The weather is supposed to get super cold this weekend (probably wherever you are as well), and I want to be prepared.

Ladies, I hope you have a wonderful day! Thank you so much for taking the time to read this. xx

Be well and Stay safe! xx

Photos: Vanessa Christina Photography