The History of Polka Dots

The History of Polka Dots

By: Tyler Leik

News flash: polka dots are in (again). Maybe you have seen them on the likes of fashion icons like Harry Styles or taking over high-fashion runways. The print has been turning heads for three centuries now, making it a timeless favorite ready to re-enter the limelight.

We have the Industrial Revolution to thank for polka dots. Before the invention of the sewing machine in 1830, there was not a cut-and-dry way to produce a print with any sort of symmetry onto fabric. The release of the sewing machine finally made it possible for perfectly round and evenly spaced dots to be sewn into fabric. The print, however, did not always hold the popularity it does now. The pattern was once associated with the Plague and a lack of cleanliness.

Following the appearance of a popular Czech dance called the Polka, everyone began to slap the name on anything they could. From polka pudding to polka dots, polka was the talk of the world. Godey’s Lady Book was the first publication of the print in 1857.

The 1900s were the peak of fame for polka dots. As seen on the likes of Marilyn Monroe, Princess Diana, Minnie Mouse, and Prince, the pattern quickly became an iconic fad. Frank Sinatra even released a song called “Polka Dots and Moonbeams.”

The pattern has continued to make appearances throughout the 2000s. While the pattern was often seen in spring and summer months, Fall 2023 Fashion Weeks proved that the iconic dots can fit into any season. From the classic black and white dots to something more vibrant, this pattern will forever be a part of the fashion discourse.

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