nuts4chic - fashion
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Matalan's 50's spot belted dress |
You can always tell the arrival of a new season by the clothes in the shops. Sombre dark hues like black and purple start to disappear and joyful, lively prints and colours spring up in their place.
One of the earliest trends to pop up, despite the bitterly cold weather, are polka dots.
"Dots are a perennial look that comes around quite often, especially in spring and summer," explains stylist Jennie De Stefanis.
"It's a look most people can wear and pick up elements from. Older women can wear the classic combination of navy with white dots, while younger women can get away with wearing red and white."
She adds "The pioneer of polka dots was Dior back in the 40s, when the New Look came in after the war, and fashion became more glamorous and frivolous. We've come back to the ladylike and feminine look with tailored skirts, and that's why it's popular now."
Jennie does advise that you make sure that you 'wear' the dots, not the other way around.
"Don't get swamped by the dotty print. Small cute dots are easier to wear, while bigger spots can be worn by more trend-focused personalities."
SPOTTY ON TOP
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| Warehouse's polka dot camisole |
Choosing a dotted top is the easiest way to introduce the trend to your wardrobe. "It's introducing colour and print without going over-the-top," says Jennie.
Stick with monochrome with Warehouse's black and white polka dot camisole, £35 (53 Euros), Oasis' black polka dot camisole, £30 (45 Euros), and Coast's black and white chiffon spot bustier that knots at the front, £65.
Become a foxy lady in the boardroom with Dorothy Perkins' black and white spot layered top, £25 (40 Euros), Wallis' Inca black polka dot blouse, £30 (46 Euros), Miss Selfridge's navy spot camisole, £25 (37 Euros), or Wallis' navy polka dot crinkly shirt, £35 (55 Euros).
You could also try the opposite, with black dots on a white background. Dorothy Perkins' cream spotty pussy bow blouse, £25 (40 Euros), Topshop's cream polka dot roll-neck top, £20 (30 Euros), and Gap's black and white polka dot blouse, £29.50 (44 Euros), will take you from day to night.
Daring dot lovers should check out Topshop's blue and white polka dot bubble hem top with bigger dots, £20 (30 Euros), and Dorothy Perkins' red spotted jumper, £18 (27 Euros).
And if you're tall, you'll be able to carry off Principles' black and white crushed spot silk camisole, £35 (48 Euros), also featuring bigger circles.
DOTTY DRESSES
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Dorothy Perkins' red and white spotted '50s dress |
"Dots are perfect for occasions. They add a bit more fun to a block colour, while being flattering for many body shapes," she adds.
Black and white is a classic combination, and Warehouse's black V-neck polka dot dress, £55 (84 Euros), Next's black jersey spot dress, £36.99 (54 Euros), and J Taylor's black spotted dress, £50 at Debenhams, will fit the bill perfectly.
These dresses can be worn for events from weddings and birthdays, to an evening out with the girls - which makes them worthwhile investment buys.
Alternatively, add some bright colour with Dorothy Perkins' 50s-inspired red and white spotted dress, £40 (60 Euros), Miss Selfridge's halterneck red polka dot dress, £50 (74 Euros), and Matalan's 50s-style red and white spot belted dress, £12.
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Next's black jersey spot dress |
If you're bored of black and white, but don't feel confident enough to wear red, brown is another popular option.
Coast's caramel and cream spotted floaty chiffon dress, £135, is ruched around the bust and falls delicately to just below the knee, while Topshop's brown spotted dress, £35 (53 Euros), is a fitted dress that accentuates feminine curves.
ACCESSORIES
"Accessories are a good way to bring in a trend, if you're not keen to dress in it," says Jennie.
Carry around your essentials in a polka dot case such as Oasis' black and white slouchy bag, £18 (27 Euros), Coast's caramel and cream spotted chiffon clutch purse, £35, which could accompany the matching dress, and Topshop's red and white polka dot purse, £4 (7 Euros).
Get the chic French Riviera look with a dotted scarf, which can be tied around your neck, around your waist as a makeshift belt, or around your hair for that 50s feel.
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River Island's white and black polka dot scarf |
River Island's white scarf with black dots, £12.99 (22 Euros), Florence & Fred's black and white silk-mix scarf, £5 at Tesco, and Oasis' black and white scarf, £9 (14 Euros), are versatile enough to be used in any way.
STOCKISTS
Coast - 01865 881 986
Debenhams - 08445 616 161/www.debenhams.com
Dorothy Perkins - 0870 122 8801/www.dorothyperkins.co.uk
Gap - 0800 427 789
Matalan - 01695 552 400
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Miss Selfridge - 0800 915 9900/www.missselfridge.co.uk
Next - 0845 600 7000/www.next.co.uk
Oasis - 01865 881 986/www.oasis-stores.com
Principles - 0870 122 8802/www.principles.co.uk
River Island - 0870 160 3201/www.riverisland.com
Tesco - 0800 505 555
Topshop - 0845 121 4519/www.topshop.co.uk
Wallis - 0845 121 4520/www.wallis-fashion.com
Warehouse - 0870 122 8813/www.warehousefashion.co.uk
Warehouse - 0870 122 8813/www.warehousefashion.co.uk
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