Street Style | Polka Dots x Graphic Tee

I was inspired to write this post after reading a Refinery 29 article on polka dots. They touched on the idea that women who wear them are either the pinup, 1950's type or the French, cool girl variety. Although I would consider myself part of the latter, I personally disliked polka dots until now.

I think that polka dots in fashion and society represent much more than just a pattern. When you really think about it, they represent some sort of retro femininity. The idea that women are supposed to dress feminine and play the part too. I hate that notion and way of dressing, so I guess disliking polka dots made sense based on my perspective. However, fashion is taking polka dots, or the idea of them and flipping them on their head. They are no longer paired with fitted pencil skirts and pumps. They are no longer associated with the stereotypical 1950's house wife. Strong, business women like Danielle Bernstein of WeWoreWhat and Caroline Daur are wearing them in in a bold, strong way. At New York Fashion Week and Paris Fashion Week the pattern was juxtaposed with tough leather, or a boyish tracksuit. Gone are the days of keeping polka dots and femininity confined to one definition.

During February Fashion Week, there were many displays of polka dot patterns, some traditional, some sheer but my favorite was the way that Katy Xiomara showed her pieces. Instead of going the traditional route, she paired sheer polka dot blouses with boyish velvet pants and tailored trousers.

Taking inspiration from the runway and street style, I paired polka dots in many different ways. My favorite is to pair them juxtaposed with a tough leather, or balance them with a trouser or relaxed graphic tee. Although this outfit is just a simple tee and polka dot skirt, the way that I pair it has purpose and meaning.