Hey-o! I didn’t have any problems with remembering today’s the day for Ageless Style! So, that means I have to admit having a calendar is a good thing! But, it kinda blows my mind that last month’s Ageless Style prompt was Random Acts of Kindness and related, a bit, to Valentine’s Day. It seems so much longer than only a month ago. Here in central Indiana, the weather has been nuts. We have had days in the 70s (21.1C) and then snow the next day. Wednesday was bright and sunny, but there’s still snow in the shadows of homes around us. I am soooooo ready for spring! I want to get busy with planting flowers and such. Anyway, since today is the third Thursday of the month it’s time for an Ageless Style challenge. Mireille of Chez Mireille chose polka dots. As I mentioned last month was Random Acts of Kindness and was chosen by yours truly. Prior to that, we have worn sumptuous fabrics, skinny jeans, layering essentials, what to wear for a fall occasion, back to school look, and many other ideas. If you’re curious, you can find some of my looks here, here, here, and here. Please do visit the other hostesses of the link party (oh, yes, there’s a link party) at their various sites!
A little history…
What? You thought I would just do a look and leave it at that? Nope! It’s time for Polka Dots 101! I couldn’t really find anything about how polka dots appeared on really early textiles. What I did find (source) was that dotted material was often associated with the dots related to rashes. Those dotted rashes often occurred in connection with the Bubonic plague, smallpox, and leprosy. Those dots, however, were not uniform in shape nor appearance on the textiles. The technology to reproduce uniform spots on cloth came about during the Industrial Revolution in the 18th century.
A little more…
Interestingly, non-Western cultures had no problems with dots! These little spots are associated with male virility as well as magic. More dots equal more magic! The term polka dots appears to have arisen during the polka dance rage of the 1840s. Apparently, the word, polka, was used for many things including pudding and suspenders! But, the term polka dot seems to be the only thing to have stuck around.
Even more…
Think about the iconic polka dots of the past! There’s this cute little ditty:
And, of course, we have Minnie Mouse’s dress. They weren’t able to animate those dots in early films, though. We’ve seen polka dots on celebrities through the ages…Marilyn Monroe in a polka dotted bikini! Who can forget Julia Roberts and her gorgeous brown polka dotted dress? This site has a gallery of polka dotted fashion through the ages. Make sure you scroll to the bottom and click on “Show More” to see Prince in all his dotted glory!
What I wore…
I was really surprised to discover I have very few things with polka dots. The few things I did have weren’t asking to be featured in a blog post, either. Leslie mentioned leopard print so I considered. I knew I had a leopard print jersey swing dress from Old Navy. But, as I was looking for that, I found this dress. Same dress, different print! This is the dress I own in long and sleeveless and in several prints and one or two solids. It is also the dress Old Navy discontinued after a few years of me being able to count on picking up one or two each season (and they were usually about $10)! This one is long sleeved and navy blue. The quilted jacket is J Jill and from last fall. As you can tell, it’s reversible. The only problem is the darker berry color doesn’t have pockets! You’ll notice I’m doing some print mixing unless you happen to consider polka dots a neutral (I do). Being the contrary soul I am, I decided to wear purple/berry tights which rather nicely matched my boots!
The Lewk!
These are my gorgeous L’Artiste Originala boots, a Christmas gift from my kiddos. I have been ordering my boots in a 40, but I probably could have worn a 39 in these. I haven’t worn them out and about much so I haven’t put any insoles in them. That might take up the difference in them. I decided to add this garnet chip necklace, another Pier 1 buy decades ago, and these citrine and garnet earrings from eBay. As I look at the photos, I probably should have chosen a lighter necklace to provide more contrast because you really don’t notice the necklace. How many of you scrolled back up to see if you could find it? Caught ya!
Wrap it up, Marsha!
Now, if I were looking to fill some gaps in my wardrobe, I’d probably be looking for some more polka dots! I can’t believe I have so few because I really do like them. They actually are nice little camouflage circles, right? So, can we talk? Would you ever, in a million years, think smallpox when you think polka dots? Are there any other iconic polka dot looks you can think of? Please leave me a comment or two, and we can talk! I promise, I promise, I will respond as soon as possible. I have a couple of my writing projects nearing completion so I hope to be more consistent in responding!
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Thank you!
Please accept my sincere gratitude for being here. I appreciate you whether you subscribe, comment, email, or just read my blog! If you’d like to follow me on Instagram, you can find me here.
Where you can find me:
Linking up with Nancy’s Fashion Style, My Bijou LIfe, Fine-Whatever, Is This Mutton, Shelbee on the Edge, Chez Mireile, The Grey Brunette, and Away from the Blue. I also link up with This Blonde’s Shopping Bag, Doused in Pink, and I do deClaire and Mummabstylish. Please check out these wonderful ladies and their blogs! I also am a co-host for Ageless Style on the third Thursday of the month and Songful Style on the last Monday of the month. I co-host Traffic Jam Weekend with Michelle every Thursday. I also host Final Fridays on the last Friday of the month as well as 10 on the 10th on the 10th of the month! I do hope you’ll check out all of these blogs and link parties!
And, now it’s your turn!
Please link up your favorite posts about kindness, love, Valentine’s Day, DIY, baking, gardening, fashion…you name it…as long as it’s family friendly! Here are links to all of the lovely ladies in the Ageless Style collaboration. Please do visit them on their various media. Link up with us, visit a couple of others, and leave a comment or two! No worries if you don’t have a blog, just look around! You may find a new blog just waiting for you!
Amy ~ Amy’s Creative Pursuits
Blog | Instagram | Pinterest | Facebook |
Bo ~ Bo’s Bodacious Blog
Blog / Instagram /Pinterest / Bloglovin’
Joanne ~ My Slice of Life
Jodie ~ Jodie’s Touch of Style
Leslie ~ Once Upon a Time and Happily Ever After
Blog | Instagram | Pinterest | Facebook |
Marsha~ Marsha in the Middle
Mireille ~ Chez Mireille Fashion Travel Mom
Blog | Instagram | Pinterest | Facebook |
Rosemary ~ Distinctly Southern Style
That is a beautiful outfit! I have zero polka dots in my current closet (though I know I have 2 tanks/sleeveless shirts with them) and no leopard or animal prints of any kind so this was a real challenge for me.
Thanks, Joanne! It’s really weird because I like polka dots. I must have gotten rid of them all over the last few years!
You did such a nice job layering your polka dot dress for the challenge and the weather. I had one summer polka dot dress in my closet, but in my climate, even if I add layers like you have shown, it’s just still too cold and uncomfortable to wear in winter. My daughter lives nears you and has been telling me about your up and down weather. I hope you didn’t lose any flower buds!
Thanks, Amy! It was just a bit too cold for only the dress, and it looked rather boring by itself! I haven’t lost any flower buds because we moved last summer, and I didn’t get anything planted. I have seen daffodils blooming through the snow!
Marsha, I love the print mix, and the blue and burgundy combo. I don’t think I have any burgundy in my closet. I may need to change that!
Michelle
https://funkyfashionstyle.com
Thanks, Michelle! I can’t believe you don’t have any burgundy! You would be gorgeous in it! I’ll be interested to see what you find if you decide to change it!!!
Well I never knew the dots were magical – I need to be sure to get some!!! I just love how you educate us and show such pretty fashion, always the teacher!!
xo,
Kellyann
Thanks, Kellyann…I will probably be teaching from my death bed! I had no idea about dots being magical, either!
I love navy + burgundy, and this was a fun print mix take on the idea. I do like polka dots on fabric, but I admit that there are other contexts in which dots creep me out because something looks diseased (weird, I know!).
Well, there ya go, Sally! You are, indeed, an old soul who is reminded of the dreaded pox! I love navy and burgundy together, too, and the print mixing just kinda happened!
Thanks, Sally, for coming by!
I just have a few things with polka dots but I do enjoy the print. I really like your print mixing and that quilted jacket is a nice piece. I wish we would have gotten snow this year, I really thought we would!
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
Thanks so much, Mireille! I didn’t plan to do a print mix, but the dress was bit too plain without it. We haven’t had much snow this winter at all, just cold and dreary days.
I really llke how you showed both sides of the jacket Marsha. I think I like the lighter pink if I had to choose a favorite with the outfit because it’s not as mathcy matchy.
You are so good with your print mixing!! I just love seeing what you put together,
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Thanks, Jodie! I really think that was the best side, too. The other side was a bit dark against the navy! Well…I’m going to take that big old compliment and run with it!
Love your dress, the polka dot pattern is so cute! <3
http://www.couture-case.com/
Thanks so much, Jelena!!
Interesting history of polka dots. It never occurred to me that they somewhat resemble the patterns made by rashes. Your pattern mixing is fabulous and as for the darker side of your jacket not having pockets, just think of it as having inside pockets.
Rena
http://www.finewhateverblog.com
Thanks, Rena! I was really surprised when I read that about smallpox…who knew? I knew I wanted to wear the berry tights and needed a completer piece. The jacket just seemed the perfect choice!
Love your dress, the polka dot pattern is so cute! You are so good with your print mixing!! I just love seeing what you put together, I just love how you educate us and show such pretty fashion.
Thanks so much, Tyler! I’m glad you enjoyed the post!
I’m loving your cute print mixing and fun boots!
Thanks, Laura! I hadn’t intended to do a print mix, but the dress needed something!