How to Wear Polka Dots Without Looking Juvenile

Polka Dots look cute on Minnie Mouse and 7-year-olds, but how do you wear them when you are all grown up and over 40? Here’s how to wear Polka Dots without looking like a little kid!

1. Look for Grown-Up Silhouettes

The key to looking chic in dots is to choose a grown-up silhouette.  Stay clear of anything too fussy or busy, or shapeless. Instead, go for something mature and figure-enhancing, like this classy polka dot wrap dress.

This chic dress gracefully drapes across your body enhancing your waist and highlighting your bust. Pretty peasant sleeves are perfect if you want to cover arm jiggle, and a high-low hem gives this dress a modern, sexy twist.

2. Choose Sophisticated Colors & Fabrics

The right color or fabric can make all the difference when looking spot on in polka dots. For example, this combo of small white dots on this deep port-colored background is a rich color combo. The satiny fabric elevates polka dots to a more mature level than cotton ever would.

Pair a luxe polka dot blouse, like this one, with sleek black pants and some pointy-heeled pumps. Then get ready for the compliments to roll in. A structured black bag keeps the look business-like and not babyish.

3. Keep Sweet to a Minimum

Polka dots are sweet and feminine – that’s just part of their charm, and if you want to play that up but not go overboard, then this top is a good way to do it. With its delicate wrist ties and black lace collar, this white polka dot blouse strikes the right balance between girly and grown-up.

Pair the white polka dot blouse with black suede booties, your favorite dark denim, and a trendy black bucket bag. Black is dramatic, adult, and urban, which helps to anchor this soft-looking blouse and give the outfit more of an edge.

4. Do Large Scale Dots

Oversize dots are bold and dramatic and can help you create a mature and fashion-forward polka dot look. The secret is to combine big dots with something very clean and classic. See how this crisp white shirt allows this playful skirt to shine and prevents it from looking like a costume.

Elegant structured accessories such as this top handle bag and these bow tie pointy pumps add elegance and worldliness to a fun skirt. And a swipe of red lipstick and you will look like a knock-out!

5. Update Your Dots

Dots are always changing, so keep up with what is modern. The color of the dots, the shape, spacing, and how dots are mixed with other dots are always changing. For example, this cute top above mixes tiny and medium dots in one.

You can find more information about this in this post about polka dot trends.

Do you like polka dots, or think they make women over a certain age look dotty?