A Polka Dot Set Is This Summer’s Hot Girl Uniform

While we have not yet reached a consensus on 2025’s song of the summer, there is no doubt when it comes to the official trend of summer: Polka dots. The retro print started making it’s way into our closets (and our nails) last year, but as of this summer, we’ve reached peak polka dot. The cutesy print is everywhere, and has gotten the stamp of approval from fashion girls like Hailey Bieber, Olivia Rodrigo, and Sabrina Carpenter.

So why not take the print and make it twice as nice? Enter: the polka dot set, AKA this summer’s cool girl uniform. And why not? It’s easy, on trend, and oh-so-cute. Ahead, everything you need to know about the trend, plus where to get a dotty little set of your own.

The Trend

Polka dots started picking up steam as part of our continuing nostalgia for the late 2000s and early 2010s. This time, the print is a callback to the “twee” style of the time, which riffed on ’50s and ’60 aesthetics, where the print was at peak popularity.

A key player in the print’s revival was the brand Blondita, whose Gwen set—a black and white dotted bubble skirt and multi-way halter top named for Gwen Stefani in the “Cool” music video—quickly became a celeb go-to. It was spotted on Devon Lee Carlson while enjoying her Euro summer, Sabrina Carpenter in her “Taste” music video, and Beabadoobee on tour.

“Polka dots to me are so feminine, free, and fun,” Angela Ruis, Blondita’s founder and designer tells Byrdie. “I love them in the ’50s, the ’90s, and I love that we’re seeing a resurgence of them today. I truly can not get enough of Miss Polka dot. What drew me to them a year and a half ago was how quirky they felt, and actually how little of them I was seeing—I was definitely trying to be unique at the time, and it’s so fun to see them embraced so boldly now.”

There’s a reason her set caught on—it’s feminine, fun, and takes all the work out of styling.A matching set is always fun for summer, and bold polka dots make classic and comfy silhouettes feel fresh. Just add a cute shoe and some sunglasses, and you’re good to go to the park, for lunch, or to hit the town.

Campbell and Kramer’s comfy polka dot sets are also super popular and have been spotted on It Girls like Tate McRae, Peggy Gou, and Ashtin Earle. Hailey Bieber recently wore half a polka-dotted set out and about, and Kylie Jenner wore a vintage Ralph Lauren set complete with a bikini top, capri pants, and a matching bag on her Italian vacation.

How to Wear a Polka Dot Set

The best part of a matching set? Most of the work is done for you. The ease of a set means all that’s left to sort out is the accessories. Add some edge to a bubble skirt with a pair of beat up moto boots, or go full cutesy mode with some sweet ballet slippers. Ruis likes breaking up her Gwen set with a fun prize ribbon or brooch, and even likes mixing and matching more polka dots—”I embrace the polkadots with open arms! The more the merrier.” Try her brand’s hot pink Dolly bag to maximize your dots.

For a cute and comfy moment, make like McRae and pair a pair of foldover pants or shorts with a matching tee, fun earrings, and a cool pair of shield sunnies. Keep the chill vibes going with a flat flip flop, or add a heeled one if you’re heading to lunch. And if you want something a little fancier? Miaou’s cowl neck top and itsy bitsy mini skirt looks oh so cute with a kitten heel and vintage purse.

Ready to try the trend yourself? Shop some of our favorite polka dot sets below.