Polka Dots in Full Volume: From Romance to Maximalism, This is How They’re Worn This Autumn-Winter 2025

Some trends politely ask for attention… and then there are polka dots, which simply burst onto the scene and take command. They gave us a taste of their ambitions last spring — one of the season’s most potent trends — and this autumn-winter 2025-26, they have declared themselves the undisputed stars.

The catwalks have made it abundantly clear: Moschino went all out with blazers in theatrical proportions and a cheeky 80s edge; Valentino played the mix-and-match game, combining dots with florals and stripes in combinations that border on the impossible… and yet, they work; Dries Van Noten opted for desaturated, almost misty versions, as if the dots were gently blurred in watercolour; while Prabal Gurung transformed them into vibrant explosions of colour in XL scale, on silks that seem to move even when still.

The underlying message: polka dots are no longer the coy print of fairground dresses. They have evolved into a bold aesthetic statement. They are worn large, with irony, across pieces we never imagined before: tailored suits, wrap coats, even structured shirts with pronounced shoulders.

How to wear them? Let them speak for themselves: pair with neutral pieces, clean cuts, and matte fabrics that tame just enough of the volume so they shine without shouting. For those feeling adventurous, the opposite approach also works: clash them with other prints — stripes, checks, animal patterns — and let excess weave its magic.

My choice: an oversized polka-dot blouse with a built-in bow (another trend demanding its moment in the spotlight), layered over a slip dress with lace detailing, ultra-thin sheer leggings, classic ballerinas, and a touch of pearls to finish the look.

Happy Sunday. Happy week.

shirt: Essentiel Antwerp aw25 from Tomates Fritos (info: 932092617), slip dress: Zara aw25, ballet flats: Valentino ss21, bag: Lady Dior (special edition) aw17 by Dior, earrings: a mix of two different pieces — the first by Sita Nevado, the second a vintage find from an antique shop in Sydney, sunglasses: Spektre (from a previous season);

Hair: Vanitas Espai.

Photographs: Gorka González.