The Best Polka Dot Dresses Our Editors Recommend for This Season and Beyond

If you too have been recently looking for polka dot dresses, and your search history has one or more of the following: “What are the best polka dot dresses? What dresses to wear to a spring garden party? or Which dress length is the best for a dinner?”, then same.

It seems obvious to say, but there’s something about dresses that just feels right when the sun starts to show its face. Whether it’s the ease of slipping one on and feeling instantly put together, or the way a great dress can carry you from a morning coffee run to an evening garden party, they’re the kind of wardrobe heroes that work hard. And while we all have our go-to styles—be it a linen midi or a breezy cotton mini—this season, there’s a particular print that’s quietly making its way back into the spotlight: polka dots. Yes, the best polka dot dresses are having a moment, and it’s one that feels both nostalgic and refreshingly modern.

Polka dots have long been associated with a certain vintage charm, often bringing to mind images of ’50s pin-ups or retro tea dresses. But in 2025, designers are reimagining this classic print in ways that feel entirely new. From the runways of Carolina Herrera, where polka dots mingled with oversized florals in bold, unexpected pairings, to the sheer, layered interpretations at Self-Portrait, the pattern is shedding its old-fashioned reputation and stepping into a more contemporary role. It’s not just about the print itself, but how it’s being styled—think asymmetrical cuts, unexpected colour combinations, and a mix of textures that add depth and interest.

What’s particularly interesting is how polka dots are transcending generational style boundaries. While millennials might recall the print from childhood dresses or early ’90s and 2000s fashion, Gen Z, in particular, have taken the polka dot dress and run with it—ditching its prim reputation and reworking it through a more ironic, fashion-forward lens. It’s less about dainty silhouettes and more about contrast styling: a slinky slip dress layered over a baby tee, paired with Adidas Sambas or chunky boots; or a puff-sleeved mini worn with knee-high socks and a vintage bomber. The look leans into Y2K, sure, but it also plays into that ultra-curated, street-style aesthetic you see all over TikTok and Depop. Think less “tea party” and more “cool girl on her way to the pub.”