Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography: The Street Sensei
Prints can easily feel intimidating, especially if you're mostly drawn to neutral tones like me. Yes, I do fancy myself the occasional color pop, but typically in the form of a solid or entry-level floral. Prints just have a way of feeling overly fussy for me with the rare exception of classic stripes or, when I'm feeling a bit bolder, polka dots.
OK, sure. Polka dots are pretty mild in the print world, but considering my comfort zone is a feminine bloom or Breton, I'd say "bold" is a fair descriptor.
While I've admired them from afar, I've struggled with styling polka-dot pieces in a way that feels elevated instead of childlike. And while they usually come in comfortable shades of black and white, I somehow lack the ability to wear them at work without feeling out of step. But this is all about to change. I've decided I must give the look a try. From darling dresses to cute camp shirts and floaty wide-leg pants, I feel as though it's a look I can finally master. And who better to provide me with endless outfit inspiration than the always-stylish women of the street-style scene?
Ahead, are 65 polka-dot outfits I'll be attempting to re-create this Summer.
Summer Fashion Trends: Polka Dots
Try head-to-toe spots for stylish impact.
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Summer Fashion Trends: Polka Dots
A polka-dot tie-front top is cute over a t-shirt with jeans.
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Summer Fashion Trends: Polka Dots
This polka-dot dress and blazer combo is wedding guest approved.
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Summer Fashion Trends: Polka Dots
Mixing prints is easy in black and white.
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Summer Fashion Trends: Polka Dots
Black boots toughen up a polka-dot dress.
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Summer Fashion Trends: Polka Dots
Give black and white polka dots a playful punch with red accessories.
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Summer Fashion Trends: Polka Dots
A spotted top looks smart with a tailored set.
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Summer Fashion Trends: Polka Dots
Cinch a blazer over a polka dress for work or play.
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Summer Fashion Trends: Polka Dots
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography: The Street Sensei
Checks and spots are an elevated take on mixed prints.
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Summer Fashion Trends: Polka Dots
This is how you do polka dots at work in the summer.
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Summer Fashion Trends: Polka Dots
A polka-dot top feels playful with trousers and a unique bag.
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Summer Fashion Trends: Polka Dots
Go casual-chic in a polka-dot top and black skinny jeans.
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Summer Fashion Trends: Polka Dots
A polka-dot jumpsuit, sandals, and sleek earrings are perfect in Summer.
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Summer Fashion Trends: Polka Dots
Mix in neon with polka dot for an electric spin.
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Summer Fashion Trends: Polka Dots
Layer a t-shirt under a polka-dot dress at the office.
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Summer Fashion Trends: Polka Dots
Chunky sneakers give polka dots a "right now" feel.
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Summer Fashion Trends: Polka Dots
A sleek shoulder bag is the perfect touch to a polka-dot mini dress.
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Summer Fashion Trends: Polka Dots
When trying polka dots at work, stick to a tonal palette for an ultra-smart effect.
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Summer Fashion Trends: Polka Dots
Play with proportion by styling a polka-dot top with wide-leg trousers.
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Summer Fashion Trends: Polka Dots
Proof a coordinating top-and-trouser set in polka dots feels effortless.
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Summer Fashion Trends: Polka Dots
A tried-and-true combo: polka-dot top, high-waisted jeans, heels, and a bright bag.
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Summer Fashion Trends: Polka Dots
When it's chilly, try layering a sweater over a polka-dot dress.
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Summer Fashion Trends: Polka Dots
Top off black pants and boots with a polka-dot top on the weekend.
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Summer Fashion Trends: Polka Dots
Navy polka dots look great with feminine white heels.
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Summer Fashion Trends: Polka Dots
For a summery spin, pair a polka-dot top with white pants and sunglasses.
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Summer Fashion Trends: Polka Dots
Summer calls for polka dots and, depending where you are, a classic trench.
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Summer Fashion Trends: Polka Dots
A neon bag is fun with a polka-dot dress and boots.
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Summer Fashion Trends: Polka Dots
For a flattering effect, belt a polka-dot dress and finish with leg-lengthening heels.
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Summer Fashion Trends: Polka Dots
Take polka dots in an edgy direction by teaming with a bolder print in the same color family.
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Summer Fashion Trends: Polka Dots
A tailored jacket and white boots feel fresh with a polka-dot dress for Summer.
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Summer Fashion Trends: Polka Dots
What to pair with high-waist polka-dot trousers? A white crop top, of course.
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Summer Fashion Trends: Polka Dots
Professional print masters won't be afraid to pair polka dots with a floral print.
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Summer Fashion Trends: Polka Dots
Give black and white polka dots a Summer time finish by reaching for powder-blue extras and white shoes.
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Summer Fashion Trends: Polka Dots
Keep your polka dots on display with a sheer jacket over top.
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Summer Fashion Trends: Polka Dots
Wear a wrap-style polka-dot top open over a t-shirt with jeans and heels.
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Summer Fashion Trends: Polka Dots
Sleek mules make head-to-toe polka dots feel polished for work.
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Summer Fashion Trends: Polka Dots
The perfect weekend outfit: a polka-dot top, cropped pants, sandals, and a tote.
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Summer Fashion Trends: Polka Dots
When you're tired of floral-print dresses, a ruffled polka-dot print dress feel equally feminine.
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Summer Fashion Trends: Polka Dots
Dress down a polka dot dress with cute flats and a natural bag.
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Summer Fashion Trends: Polka Dots
The ultimate mood-booting outfit: head-to-toe polka dots with yellow heels and a straw bag.
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Summer Fashion Trends: Polka Dots
For a moody finish, layer a leather jacket over a polka-dot top with jeans.
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Summer Fashion Trends: Polka Dots
Dress down a polka-dot top with black pants and cool sneakers.
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Summer Fashion Trends: Polka Dots
For Friday brunch, we love a classic knit over a polka-dot dress with flats.
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Summer Fashion Trends: Polka Dots
What's more ladylike than a polka-dot dress with a top-handle bag?
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Summer Fashion Trends: Polka Dots
If your polka-dots are feeling too feminine? Combat boots and a modern bag are the answer.
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Summer Fashion Trends: Polka Dots
For a graphic effect, combine polka dot pieces and finish with a clean white jacket.
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Summer Fashion Trends: Polka Dots
Break out of the black-and-white mold, and embrace a brightly colored polka-dot dress. A colorful bag and sneakers are playfully casual additions.
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Summer Fashion Trends: Polka Dots
Mix your dots by pairing together an oversize pattern with a smaller dot. For a streamlined effect, sticking to a tonal palette will make the bold combo feel easier.
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Summer Fashion Trends: Polka Dots
Transition into Summer by styling a mock-neck polka-dot tank with a full skirt and tough combat boots.
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Summer Fashion Trends: Polka Dots
Give a colorful polka-dot dress an edgier feel by adding a thick waist belt and sleek combat boots.
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Summer Fashion Trends: Polka Dots
For minimalist tastes, a brown pair of polka-dot pants feel unfussy with a crewneck sweater in a creamy shade.
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Summer Fashion Trends: Polka Dots
Tall boots and shorts are a big look this season. Give the outfit formula a try with a pair of spotted shorts and a colorful blazer to finish.
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Summer Fashion Trends: Polka Dots
Leather pants make a polka-dot blouse and trousers combo feel fresh and edgy.
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Summer Fashion Trends: Polka Dots
Temper the sweetness of a polka dot by styling an oversize blazer over top and finishing with combat boots.
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Summer Fashion Trends: Polka Dots
'70s-style lapels are big this Summer. So, why not try the trend in polka-dot form?
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Summer Fashion Trends: Polka Dots
A multicolored polka-dot dress is night-out ready with the help of a leather jacket and heeled boots.
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Summer Fashion Trends: Polka Dots
The easiest way to rock dots this Summer ? A silk hair scarf whether tied around a ponytail or worn as a headband.
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Summer Fashion Trends: Polka Dots
Polka dots can feel sexy in the form of a minidress with sheer tights and heels in the mix.
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Summer Fashion Trends: Polka Dots
For a feminine take on spots, try an asymmetrical midi skirt with a puff-sleeve top.
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Summer Fashion Trends: Polka Dots
Neutral-lovers, take note: a polka-dot shirt with white jeans and black accessories looks fresh and graphic for Summer. For a skosh of nonchalance, let your shirt billow loosely over your pants, or half-tuck it for a little more shape.
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Summer Fashion Trends: Polka Dots
A crisp spotted dress is perfect for the office, though we love it with tube socks and colorful sneakers, too.
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Summer Fashion Trends: Polka Dots
Offset a the sleekness of a polka-dot blouse by layering yours over a turtleneck and styling with wide-leg (and slightly more casual) trousers.
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Summer Fashion Trends: Polka Dots
How cool does a polka-dot minidress look layered under an oversize sweatshirt with sneakers and a vibrant bag?
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Summer Fashion Trends: Polka Dots
For an unexpected night-out look, try styling a tough pair of tall boots with a tailored polka-dot mini.
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Summer Fashion Trends: Polka Dots
On your most feminine days, a polka-dress dress is perfect under a silky jacket with colorful pumps.
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