Lily, Nicole, and Summer Dots

Lily Collins is currently shooting the sixth and final season of Emily in Paris… in Greece. Production has been seen in Mykonos, and she was photographed a couple of days ago enjoying some down time in what looks to me like a very Emily in Paris (or any other European city) outfit. Emily definitely wears dots, a lot of dots.

I don’t have an official confirmation but to me, Lily looks like she’s wearing the HVN Marina Dress. It looks pretty much exactly the same and also this is a brand that Lily has worn before, so it tracks. It’s available in multiple colourways and some of them are on sale right now, though Lily’s is not one of them.

Polka dots and dots in general are never off-trend. It’s a pattern that will pop up all the time, any season, forever. Lily’s not the only celebrity who’s been in dots recently. Nicole Richie also showed up in navy polka dots last week at a premiere with her daughter Kate.

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Nicole is wearing the Connor Ives Polka Dot Silk Maxi Dress which looks to be sold out. I wouldn’t ever say Connor Ives clothes are all that affordable. Most of the time his dresses are priced at over $1000 and I’ve even seen some can be as much as $5000.

That said, this is not the end-all and be-all of navy dotted dresses. There are dupes all over the place. Because, again, dots are not hard to find and I’ve been wearing a lot of dots lately on ETALK so I’ve actually tried on several dresses that are coincidentally dupes of Nicole’s.

On the pricier side the Junya Watanabe Black & White Printed Lace Halter Midi is my whole sh-t, with the layering and how the skirt falls to different lengths, very Japanese-style coded. 

The Abi Polka Dot Scarf-neck Chiffon Dress by Rixo is more reasonably priced but just as breezy, and also halter, with a tie that can be worn several ways. And it’s a classic, you’ll be able to get so many wears out of this one. I liked how it was sheer-ish around the knee.

Reformation’s Camella Dress is cut similar to Nicole’s around the neck and shoulder, fitted through the body, with a long swingy skirt. This one is popular because the sizes are disappearing every time I check the site.

I actually preferred the Floria Dress at Reformation though – the string halter was more flattering on me and I love it under a denim jacket. This is another dress you’ll keep going back to, especially on holiday. It’s easy and light.

Park & Fifth has a halter polka dot dress called the Archer right now with most sizes still available and a much better price point than the previous. To me, it looks better with the tie and when I put it on I actually said, this is 100% guest at summer wedding so if you’re in the market for that, it’s a good option.

Anthropologie always has dot options. I really enjoyed the Jamie Halter because it’s high collar halter with an open back but also a band across the back for extra security.

And slightly different, not a halter, but definitely on trend because it’s polka dots and lingerie-inspired, the Free People Butterfly Babe Maxi Dress has a really pretty cap sleeve and a sexy gap at the back.

When I’m doing dots though, blue is not my first choice. If you’re interested in dots that are not navy…

I’ve talked about Mac Duggal before, and how the brand is a go-to when I’m looking for a cape dress or a baby doll. This White Polka Dot Halter Neck Ruffle Mini Dress is a DREAM. The halter, the ruffles, the tiers! She’s on the rack right now, I just don’t know where to take her.

Here are two outfits I’ve already worn, mixed and matched. Which, IMO, is a way more fun way to wear dots and people shouldn’t be afraid of it. Last week on ETALK I was in the Zara Polka Dot Bow Blouse, gorgeously priced at under $60, and paired it with these pants that I’m keeping also from Zara – the Draped Printed Pants. They’re a little harem, a little barrel, they’re so comfortable, under $100 and I specifically liked the dot clashing that was happening with the polka dots in the blouse that were larger, and the dots in the pants that were smaller. 

I’ll be doing this again on an upcoming work trip in a few weeks with the Polka Dot High-neck Blouse from Mango. But instead of the matching pants it comes with, I’m wearing the blouse with the Zara Polka Dot Belted Culottes, tucked in. Again, the size of the dots is not the same, and neither is the spacing, but mashing them together totally looks intentional. 

If you’re interested in that effect but you want it all in one piece, the Another Girl Polka Dot Gathered Hip Mini Dress is adorable. I felt like tennis but also brunch in this – the high collar is chic, the skirt is flirty, and I loooove the way the dots have been arranged.

Also super into the Ganni Polka Dot Skirt. The two little side pockets are barely noticeable but so cute and handy, and she’s hanging on the rack next to the Sacai Black Tweed Crop Jacket (my favourite brand) waiting to go somewhere. 

Dots are not limited to workwear or “I have plans” occasions, though. Dots can also be fitness. Is it absurd to show up for a workout in a pair of Jean Paul Gaultier Polka Dot leggings? Probably. This was pulled for a possible fitness shoot I have coming up but I just wanted to show you because I would never wear them to the gym IRL but there is a gym girl out there who would, and she might want them in her life. They also come with a matching top.  

And of course dots can – and should! – be swimwear too. I posted a photo of myself in a polka dot two-piece a couple of years ago that people still sometimes ask me about. It’s Solid & Striped but no longer available. If you’re looking for a dotted swimsuit though, I’ve had my eye on this one-piece from Self-Portrait. It’s not cheap…but it is special. The bow detail across the bust, the piping, the space at the back… this is a definitely an investment but I feel like it’s also a standout.

Finally… pink and black, a colour combination I am obsessed with, and suchhhhh a great deal. The Marc Jacobs Dots Bow Pleated Dress is over 50% off right now and it is SOOOOO GOOD. Hangs off the body, a classic shape, and the pleats, the PLEATS! It is currently still available in all sizes. And it will never go out of style.

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