Among summer’s many dress trends, celebrities are bringing back one retro style in full force: polka dots. After appearing on the spring-summer 2026 runways at Khaite, Tory Burch, and Altuzarra, this season’s reboot is all about modern silhouettes and fresh styling tricks that make the print feel exciting again. From Gigi Hadid’s Parisian date-night look to Lily Collins’s seaside-ready take, the style’s revival among celebrities proves that even nostalgic motifs can be refreshed with a new point of view.
How to Style the Polka-Dot Dress:
It all begins with silhouette. Clean lines with unexpected design details are key to giving the retro print a contemporary update. A silky maxidress trimmed with ruffles, like Dôen’s version worn by Lily James at Wimbledon, reimagines the slip-dress trend through a Swiss-dot pattern, striking a perfect balance between vintage charm and modern ease. Phoebe Dynevor’s straightforward sleeveless shift demonstrates how clean lines make the perfect canvas for playful motifs, so choose a shape that lets the print be the focal point.
Accessories are another key player. We saw many celebrities sporting monochrome accents in optic white, echoing the spots on their dresses; however, you can’t go wrong with minimalist-approved extras, like thong heeled sandals or a woven bag, to bring a contemporary edge. Whether heading to a sporting match, packing for vacation, or dressing for a summer night out, consider these outfit formulas your blueprint to styling polka-dot dresses right now.
Below, discover the polka-dot-dress outfits inspired by celebrities to get you in the high-summer mood.
Photo: Backgrid
