How to Wear the Princess Diana and Pretty Woman-Approved Trend That's Back For Summer

Polka dots [1] are a print that instantly transport me to my childhood. My favourite dress I've owned — to this day — was a navy blue silk puff-sleeve party dress, complete with a lace-trimmed neckline, obi-style sash, and — you guessed it — large cream-coloured polka dots. It was a flower girl dress, in theory, but I would have worn it to school, the park, and even bed, had I been allowed. Spoiler: I was not.

As it turns out (shocker), I was not alone in my love of the print. In fact, some of the most iconic moments in fashion have been made of polka dots. Julia Roberts [2]'s brown dress from Pretty Woman, Marilyn Monroe's black-and-white ruffle bikini, and too many to even begin to count that were seen on the unmatched Princess Diana [3]. Today, it infiltrates our own fashion lexicon, seen on the Spring 2019 runways from designers such as Carolina Herrera, Max Mara, Celine, and more.

Polka dots are a unique print: both whimsical and elegant, loud and classic — it all depends on how you style it. You might choose a microdot skirt with a classic white tee [4] or go all out with colour and oversize circle prints that mix and match with similarly clad styling pieces. No matter how you wear yours, one thing's for sure: polka dots are the print of the season.

And now that the warm weather is here, we're busing out all our polka dots with reckless abandon. From shoes to dresses, swimwear [5] and blouses, find some major speckled styling inspiration ahead from some of the chicest women to grace our Instagram feeds on the regular. Then shop my favourite polka dots of the moment, just in time for Summer.

Slip on a bright white t-shirt underneath a minidress to get that perfect '90s vibe.

Keep it classic with a black-and-white polka-dot blouse and ankle-cropped denim.

Go sporty but sweet with a midlength slip dress and bright white sneakers.

For a night out, grab a polka-dot dress complete with another huge Summer 2019 trend: puff sleeves.

Suit up in a borrowed-from-the-boys set that's anything but masculine.

We love a simple tank and silk midi skirt for morning, noon, and night.

Opt for a more tailored silhouette this Summer when it comes to your dresses by shopping a style that has a nipped-in waist and buttons down the front.

Be bold with a top, pants, and matching belt in the classic dotted print.