when their husband proposed. But what is it about this dress in particular that made it so universally
popular? Some put it down to the fit – loose and flattering – while others credit its monochrome palette –
easy to wear and versatile.
But almost nobody has mentioned its print, which might just be the most important component of all.
Polka dots have been steadily rising on the trend circuit since March, with online searches for the print
having increased by 120 per cent according to global fashion search platform Lyst.
It is, however, a timeless print with a rich sartorial history, one that is fundamental to its appeal today.
The meaning behind dotted fabric patterns has evolved over the years, with the very first ones emerging in
medieval Europe – though at the time, dots on clothing were seen as a symbol of the bubonic plague. Not
exactly a fashion statement.
Kitri polka dot dress: £125, Le Specs beautiful
stranger cat-eye acetate sunglasses: £45,
Zara tote bag: £45, Missoma gold mini tunnel
hoops: £85, Nodaleto babies bulla tangerine:
€690 (£630)“Negative associations with dotted patterns reminded people of deadly and contagious diseases,” explains
fashion historian Edite Parute.
Such connotations persisted throughout the Renaissance, Parute tells The Independent, explaining that it
wasn’t until the mid-19th century, when polka dancing was having its moment in central Europe, that the
pattern started to gather a cult following among the fashion set.
Just the classic ‘how many of you turned up to work in the same dress?’ to start your hump day @moo
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“The polka dance craze of the 1840s prompted manufacturers to produce polka-themed clothing to
capitalise on the popularity of the dance, leading them to create hats, jackets and many more items with the
pattern,” Parute explains.