The resurgence of some of the most iconic retro patterns has been observed lately in the modern fashion scene — and we’re all here for it!
First up was the tartan, then comes the paisley, and of course, the polka dots.
The infamous dots, or spots, has been invading our wardrobes for the recent years and they are still going strong for the coming seasons.
Here we will get to know more about this spot-on pattern (see what we did there?) and rediscover the reason why it has endured the test of time.
Polka Dots: Where the Circle Begun
Originally, the spotted pattern used to be unevenly spaced because they were hand sewn.
It was actually considered taboo at some point in history because the spots resembled various skin diseases including bubonic plague and leprosy.
However, in the late 18th century, the dots started to gain popularity because it was associated by the Ultimate Dandy himself, Beau Brummell with the polka dance craze that swept across Europe and North America until the first half of the 19th century.
As one of the most iconic fashion figure in that era, Brummel frequently made use of dotted patterns in his scarves, and other accessories.
The spotted pattern we know today was marketed as “polka dots” to capitalise on the mania.
The Spots Deconstructed
The pattern of repeated spots has undoubtedly grew in popularity for fashion as a whole, especially in women’s clothing.
READ: 3 Ways to Style Polka Dot Accessories
But in classic menswear, it remained largely limited to small-scale use on socks, scarves, ties, bow ties, and pocket square.
It is because of the more sober style of tailored men’s clothing. As larger dots features fun and festivity, some reserved men find it comical to wear for high esteemed events.
But as we promised, we’ll help you develop a keen eye to spot the perfect style to sport this iconic pattern. Here’s a few things to remember:
- The Size of the Spot
- The Spaces In Between
- The Colour of the Spots
Generally, any sort of spotted pattern is referred to as polka dots.
Smaller and more demure versions are usually described as “pin dots”, while spots that are slightly larger than pin dots are called “micro dots”.
The smaller the spots, the more business appropriate the pattern is. While average or large scale spots are perfect for more casual and fun gatherings.
So, in terms of styling and formality, when spots are involved, size really does matter!
The distance of the spots are also something to be mindful about.
Clothes and mens accessories usually follow a formal, structured pattern.
Patterns with wider spacing of dots create a more formal look. It’s more appropriate for office wear, or when you’d like to dress-to-impress.
If you’d like to go wild with polka dots, you may opt for spots with smaller spacing and bigger dots. Or, there are some fabrics with unevenly spaced and sized spots.
White dots are by far the most popular colour used in men’s formalwear as it perfectly matches standard white dress shirt.
One of the most favoured colour combinations for polka dot are navy with white spots. But for more formal events, black with white pin dots are extremely popular too, especially for tie designs.
Slightly bigger spots are more forgiving with the colour spectrum. These are widely acceptable on more casual social events. You can opt for any shade you like, or maybe even match it with the event’s theme. The season can also give you an inspiration on which hue to choose.
Pastel colours are getting more attention now because of its hip and fun vibe. They can also be mixed with other patterns like stripes and subtle geometric shapes to balance out the entire look.
Give the Spot a Spin!
We’re guessing at this point, you’ve been seeing dots and spots before your eyes so we’ll just keep it short and simple.
We hope that this short yet informative guide about the spotted style shed a new light for you to give it a try.
READ: Choose Between Patterned vs Plain Tie Styles
Indeed, polka dots have a unique ability to straddle a range of occasions from black tie events to more playful and casual gatherings making it such a hero purchase!
For all the dots and spots you might need, we surely have it all in stock for you! Shop here at DQT!
