Thursday, February 9, 2012

Polka Dots Make Me Smile


Polka dots seem to be everywhere this season. And it is for a good reason. Similarly to stripes, they are a simple print, easy to incorporate into your wardrobe, fun, youthful and flattering on most people. There is something about polka dots that puts me in a cheerful mood every time I see them.

I do own a few polka dot pieces: the silk/cotton popover below, last season navy silk short sleeve blouse, older summer dress in slightly bigger dots from Banana Republic and, last but not least, two pairs of pajamas.

Today I am wearing J.Crew polka dot popover with cream dots on black background. It has pretty high silk content (56% cotton, 43% silk), so it drapes nicely, feels smooth, does not wrinkle easily and is prefect for layering. The fit is boxy and the front is shorter than the back. I am not crazy about the shape and I would prefer that is was just a perfect shirt, but it was not a deal breaker, since I would usually wear it tucked in or belted.

pencil skirt in Viridian Green

When you tuck in or belt the popover shape has an advantage because there is no buttons to worry about. I am wearing this popover with everything, chinos, jeans, solid pencil skirts, under cardigans, v-neck sweaters and blazers.

It layers perfectly

Polka dots are cream, not white, which I didn't know when I ordered, but it is my preference.
I also really like it monochromatic with all black and just colorful shoes. This is how I will probably wear it next time.  The shot above makes it look navy but the shirt (and the cardigan) is black, as you see in the close-up below.


Smile!

Because of the 'youthfulness' of polka dots I am trying to keep other elements of my outfit modern and grown up. I would wear that J.Crew dress that is coming up in spring (see below),  but I would not wear a polka dot dress that is too short, has a peter pan collar, baby doll shape, ruffles, bows, lace insets etc.

I think when you are, like me, closer in age to Golden girls than to the E*Trade baby, you have to watch out for the 'too cute', 'too Alexa Chang' aspect. Unless, of course, you are Alexa Chang. Or a Golden Girl.

If you cannot get enough of polka dots, there is more coming from J.Crew. This is the new popover in cotton, that you might have seen in my Flickr pictures, white with black dots, but it also has some white raised dots. You can open the image in a new window and enlarge to see it better. The shape of it is the same as the black one but the white one is more summery. I liked it a lot. I took 8 in both popovers, which is my bigger shirt size to get the blousy shape. If you like it more fitted stick with your regular size.
 
Now in stores for $88
Also, remember that J.Crew polka dots dress that I have shown you in this post?
Em in Espana (check out her awesome blog here) has send me an update. The dress will be will be called the Elinor dress, available only in navy and "approximately" $148.



That's all folks.

Do you like polka dots? Are you planning add any to your wardrobe this year?  Do you think they are OK for a grown up woman to wear?

21 comments:

  1. I never wear them but only because they are my mum's " thing" Ever since I was little she has been cramming her wardrobe with navy and ivory polka dotted garments but they are lovely and really quite classic.

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    1. My mom liked the polka dots too! Somehow she never thought they were to young. And I kwym by not wearing something because your mother liked it too much, i am usually the same way.

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  2. That Elinor dress is on the website this morning, and it is $148. I like it.
    I do like navy polka dots but come to think of it I never wear the blouse I own, I think it is the flouncette?
    Tabs I'd love to see your Mum's closet!
    Love the popover with your green skirt!

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    1. I am tempted to try the Elinor, my ps just emailed me that they are getting new arrivals on Tuesday so I will probably stop by around Wednesday. I know which blouse you mean. Maybe you are not wearing it because the shade of navy in it is rather dull, I remember it was surprisingly drab against my complexion, no matter how cheerful the polka dots should be.

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  3. I'm a couple of years younger than Alexa Chung but there are no polka dots in my closet, they feel too twee on me.

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    1. xoxo, I know, I wouldn't see you in polka dots. Actually, I was sceptical about them myself and I wouldn't wear them when I was your age. But sometimes I think I missed out on a lot of fashion fun in my twenties. Maybe I am making up for it?

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  4. i like polka dots,but like xoxo they feel to cutesy for me,
    maybe i just havent found the right one yet.

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    1. I know Ina, they may feel like that, I think that sometimes we are scared of being too cheerful or plain pretty.

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  5. I looove polka dots. Be they too cutesy or whatever...they make me smile and feel happy, so I will keep on rocking them :) And now I'm heading over to jcrew.com to check out that Elinor dress...

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    1. AppGal, whenever I see polka dots I think of you, you are our polka dot girl. They are really lovely and suit your sweet personality I think.

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  6. I love polka dots. Have been in my early university days and am so excited to see they are tending to pop back. Think they are so classic and cute. Love the Elinor dress.

    http://mui28.blogspot.com

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    1. welcome to the club! classic and cute is good!

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  7. Thanks for the blog love AJC! Love the white popover - so cute. I also, like DaniP, saw the Elinor dress show up this morning - your pic made me much more excited about the dress than the one on the website :)

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    1. hi Em, I think Elinor dress would look great on you! If they have it in my store I will be sure to try it next week and post here.

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  8. I love polka dots!!! And, I love your outfit too!!

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  9. I am in the group that LOVES polka dots, they make me smile too. AJC love your polka dot outfits... classy but not to cutesy! : )

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    1. Hi Lisa, if anything makes us smile I think we should wear it often, right?

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  10. AJC, I have the black w/ cream dots popover as well and I've been wearing it to death since the day I got it. I really like the way that you belt yours lower on the hips w/ your Viridian No. 2.

    I bought a dress for work at Macy's during their January sale that is very similar to the Elinor except that it's a mock wrap with 3/4 length sleeves. The Elinor dress would be so perfect for a picnic, or a Derby party...and dreaming of Spring :)

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    1. Hi Whitney, I remember you mentioning the popover on JCA. It does go with everything, I paid full price for it which I almost never do but I think it already paid for itself. Mock wrap with 3/4 length sleeves sounds even better than Elinor.

      Spring, please hurry up.

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  11. I love polka dots, yet I don't have a single clothing item in that pattern. Time to go shopping, I guess. :)

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