Looking for a print that is youthful, yet appropriate for all ages; a steadfast classic that still feels fresh right now? Well, my fashionable friends, it looks like you’ve spotted it!
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| Elle Fanning in Stella McCartney, Marieclaire.com |
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| refinery29.com |
The polka dot is this season's nautical stripe and for all the same wonderful reasons. It absolutely works for anyone of any style at any age. It feels preppy and crisp, yet fresh and hip, and works for daytime and for night; for work and for play. The timelessness of the print means that wearing it with this season's "trends" doesn't quite feel so trendy, yet it's been seen ever increasingly on fashion’s main stage: the street.
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| the sartorialist.com |
It seems impossible to speak of polka dots as high fashion without first acknowledging the birth of the trend. And as we all know, in fashion’s ever-shifting tide, first comes the street, then the celebrities…
images left to right: Victoria Beckham on justjared.com; Kate Winslet in Stella McCartney on racked.com
… and, finally, the runway. High fashion giants like Marc Jacobs, Diane Von Furstenberg, and Stella McCartney all showed polkas persistently for Fall/Winter 2011. Their styling ran the gamut from Marc Jacob’s madcap dots-on-dots to more slick silhouettes a la Stella McCartney.
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| Lanvin, F/W 2011 |
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| Diane Von Furstenberg, F/W 2011 |
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| Diane Von Furstenberg, F/W 2011 |
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| Giambattista Valli, F/W 2011 |
So, the big question is: how to sport the spots in real life? It's simple, really. To keep the look sophisticated, stick to a sophisticated color palette: red and white feels too Minnie Mousey, fuschia with black or white feels too Juniors Department. Any combination of black, white, and navy does the timeless trick, as does jewel tones. I personally love polka dots integrated into a classic silhouette: high-waisted black pants with a dotty blouse (like V.Becks above) strikes ju-ust the right chord for me, for example. Someone with a little more moxie can sport polky pants; a more demure lady can play it safe and stick with a top or even just a scarf or accessory here and there.
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Black and white polka dot scarf, 39.99
Sunglasses, 16.99
DDC Gold and Rhinestone Chain-link bracelet, 101.99
Black and white polka dot chain-trim bag, 99.99
Currently available at Feet First Stores. Call (504) 899-6800.
Also, when doing a chic little polka-dotted dress, you can really get away with anything as far as footwear goes. If you're classic uptown, go with a nude or cognac pump or ballet flat. If you're downtown fashionista, spring for a graphic wedge.
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| Sam Edelman Javi Wedge, $149.99 |
Remember, sporting the spots is all about exuding that very special joie-de-vivre, so - as always - confidence is your very best accessory!
Love and fashion,
Keke
