For most fashion people, a dress (of any kind) is more than a trend; it’s a necessity, whether it’s a midi for work, a semi-sheer shift for vacations, or a little white number for off-duty. It’s not a stretch to say the right arsenal of one-and-done dresses can serve as the cornerstone of a well-curated wardrobe each season. And one style—or should we say, print—currently captivating our attention? The polka-dot dress.

Vogue’s Favorite Polka Dot Dresses:

• The Ruched Sun Dress: Mango polka dot ruched maxi sundress, $220
• The Babydoll Dress: Sea Paulina polka dot bubble coverup dress, $325
• The Bubble Hem: Bode bubble dot dress, $1,080
• The Puff-Sleeve: J.Crew Cecily polka-dot print dress, $178
• The Georgette Midi: Dôen Maryanna bow polka-dot silk-georgette dress, $500
• The Vintage-Inspired Dress: Posse Lori dress, $430
• The Modern Dress: Christopher John Rogers Wiggle dot V-neck midi dress, $1,995
• The Wedding Guest Dress: Self Portrait pleated polka-dot satin midi dress, $650

Polka dot-printed clothing is quite classic—just think back to the brown polka dot dress Julia Roberts wore with little white gloves in Pretty Woman, or the stippled red prom dress from Grease. It’s never fully vanished, but we did take note of the print’s revival during the spring/summer 2025 shows, when it dotted the collections of Valentino, Carolina Herrera, Moschino, and Rodarte, to name a few. On the streets of Australian Fashion Week, showgoers embraced it in a playful way, mixing and matching spots of all sizes for welcome contrast.

On the market now are reinvigorated colors, silhouettes, and details that challenge what a classic polka dot can be. Think of Bode’s bubble-shaped dots, Marina Moscone’s draped and twisted interpretation, or even Christopher John Rogers’s abstract take. Posse’s strappy dress comes in a bright red, great for the beach, while Zara’s graphic maxi is fit for a sophisticated summer soirée, where dancing is aplenty. For tried-and-true black and white combinations, look to the high-end brands, like Saint Laurent and Zimmermann. For a more affordable way into the trend, turn to J.Crew, Mango, and Sea. These are more of polka dot dresses to wear this summer, below.