When Princess Diana arrived at the Royal Ascot in 1988, she turned heads in a polka-dot dress that was perfectly coordinated to her saucer hat. More than three decades later, at the popular horse racing event, Catherine, Princess of Wales, drew comparisons to her late mother-in-law in a similar dress. This one, by designer Alessandra Rich, was high-necked and ruffled but also bore the timeless spotted motif.

Polka dots have maintained their popularity throughout fashion history, and in recent months, seem to be everywhere. At the July world premiere of “Weapons” in Los Angeles, the actor Julia Garner wore a one-shoulder, micro-dotted gown from Gucci’s Cruise 2026 collection. A day earlier, Rose Byrne attended the season two premiere of “Platonic” wearing a strapless black and white polk

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