Smiling woman with gray hair and glasses stands on a porch in a white striped top and black polka-dot maxi skirt, pink pendant necklace visible.

Polka Dots Here and There!

by Marshain Ageless Style, Fashionon June 18, 2026June 17, 2026

Recovery is going slowly for Nigel. I really thought, last month, when I wrote my Ageless Style post, that we would have this miraculous recovery. I know, though, that every day down takes 1-3 days to recover. I just play cheerleader all the time…that is when I’m not being the drill sergeant and working him through his home physical therapy exercises. He’s not a fan of that Marsha! And, since misery loves company, my right knee is beginning to squeak a bit. I told Nigel we would be in quite a pickle if the doctor (his new doctor, btw) said I needed it replaced. At least one of us needs to be walking! Today, though, is the third Thursday of the month which means it’s time for another Ageless Style challenge. This month, we are styling “Polka Dots and Stripes” which was chosen by me! Last month, Jodie selected “Scarves.” In the past we have worn Scarves, One Look Three Ways, Tweed, and many other ideas. If you’re curious, you can find some of my looks here, here, here, and here. Next month’s prompt is Summer Layering if you’d like to join us! Please do visit the other hostesses of the link party (oh, yes, there’s a link party) at their various sites!

A little history…

Well, I was all prepared to write about the history of polka dots, but Google showed me I’d already written about it. Dang. If you want to read that post, it’s right here. Strangely enough, it’s an Ageless Style post, too! So, that leaves me trying to come up with something to write about because y’all know me. I can’t just write about the fashion even though I did just that yesterday (see the post here). So, then I was going to write about stripes. Well, of course, I’ve already done that, too (see post here)!

A little more history…

Once upon a time, I used to do a series called Final Fridays with another blogger friend. The purpose of that particular iteration was to practice different ways of print mixing or pattern matching. It seems there is a difference. “A pattern is a type of repeating design, such as geometric, stripes, and florals. You can find these designs printed on top of, woven into, or embroidered on fabrics…A print refers to the application of the pattern (source).” That’s clear as mud, right? Let’s try this source: “A pattern is any repeated design, whereas a print is a design that has been printed onto fabric, rather than woven or embroidered.” I think they say the same thing.

Patterns…

A pattern is a repeated design. Let’s think about that. What is a good repeated design? Polka dots spring to mind right off the bat (wonder why…hahaha). How about gingham? Is that a repeated design? Well, maybe we should back up. Are stripes a repeated design? If so, then isn’t gingham just stripes being repeated in two different directions? The same goes for plaid. The first source I quoted says plaids vary the thickness of the stripes and are sometimes called tartan. I can go along with that. Another pattern might be…wait for it…floral! You didn’t really think I would leave that out, did you? Another one that you might not immediately think of is paisley. There are a plethora of patterns.

Prints…

That’s the tricky one, I think. Prints are simply designs “printed upon, woven into, or embroidered on” something, usually fabric. A print is how the design is applied…stamped, dyed, or digitally applied on top of the fabric. Now, here’s the kicker: All prints are patterns, but not all patterns are prints! That’s gonna keep y’all up tonight, I just know it!

How to mix prints and/or patterns…

Well, you could do what I do. Look for something in the same color family with a different print or pattern. Put it on; look in the mirror. If you like it, you’ve got a winner! If you don’t, take it off and try something else. But, there are ways to do it a little more seriously. From this source:

“Get to know your foundation prints. Start with classic, simple prints: stripes, polka-dots, and florals. Then, layer on a bolder print. For example, try a classic striped T-shirt with a more exciting geometric pattern layered on top. The lines in both patterns will compliment each other, and the simple stripe will act as a neutral.”
“Embrace the power clash. You don’t always have to match patterns. Mixing bold patterns like leopard print and plaid may seem like a fashion faux pas, but there’s a lot of power in selecting two prints that don’t share any commonalities. Anchor the look with a neutral item, like a black blazer or denim jacket.”
“Choose patterns of different sizes. One of the simplest ways to mix patterns is to layer patterns with two different scales. Pairing a small-scale print with a large-scale pattern allows the smaller scale to work as a neutral. In this way, a skirt with a tiny floral print can work with a large-format plaid flannel for a grunge look.”
“Use color. When working with mixed prints, pay close attention to colors. Bold patterns in neutral colors, like black and white, can offset wildly different patterns in a more vibrant color scheme. One strategy is to mix a monochrome pattern, like a red-and-white polka-dot, with a multicolor pattern that features the color from the monochrome, like a red floral print.”

The outfit…

When I suggested stripes and polka dots, I had no idea how hard it was going to be to find a polka dotted or striped tee shirt. I already had both the striped and polka dotted skirt. I scoured the internet trying to find one or the other. I thought polka dots were supposed to be big this year, but I surely didn’t see any. Then, I had to go to WalMart to get a prescription for Nigel, and I just happened to walk through the women’s section. When what to my wandering eye did appear a striped tee shirt! But, alas and alack, it was navy and white. Daggone it. Then, I turned a corner, and I swear the Heavens opened up and a chorus of angels sang…there it was…the perfect black and white striped tee shirt! Since I had a striped tee, I was now going with my polka dotted skirt. This is the Talbots Maxi Skirt in Brilliant Dot! Don’t you just love the name? I bought it last year waaay before Christmas so I’m kinda shocked at the price. I wore it here with a black cashmere turtleneck. It’s a bit heavy for summer wear unless it cools off like it had done prior to today (yes, I’m writing this the day before it’s posted). I love the simplicity of this look. Are y’all surprised?

The Lewk!

I knew I wanted to wear my new Miz Mooz Farrah blush flats. I haven’t worn them to the museum yet because I’m having some problems with one of my pinky toes. I need to find some of those little silicone toe tubes (let me know where to find them). With that in mind, I went looking for some pastel pink jewelry to kinda bookend the look. The earrings and necklace are old and from…you guessed it…J Jill…as is the grey-ish stone bracelet. It’s kinda heavy so it never wants to lay right on my wrist. I solved that problem by splitting it with the two pink beaded bracelets. I think I got them from Amazon, but I’m not sure.

Wrap it up, Marsha!

I don’t know…do you like when I blather on and on, or should I just stick to the fashion like I did yesterday? I hope you say the former because, even though I think I’m a fashion blogger, I really just like to write, too. I live in a weird little niche of the blogosphere, I guess. So, can we talk? Do you mix and match patterns or prints? Do you use those terms interchangeably? What is your favorite mixture of prints/patterns? Please leave me a comment or two, and we can talk. I promise to respond as quickly as I can.

Thank you!

I want to thank all of you from the bottom of my heart for reading, commenting, subscribing or emailing! It truly means so much to me! If you’d like to follow me on Instagram, you can find me here.

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Where you can find me:

Linking up with Nancy’s Fashion Style, Fine-Whatever , Is This Mutton, Shelbee on the Edge, Chez Mireile, Suzy Turner, and Away from the Blue as well as Deb’s World . I also link up with I do deClaire, Mummabstylish, Style Splash and Elegantly Dressed and Stylish as well as the Senior Salon Pit Stop and Slices of Life. 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 as well as the Global Writing Challenge on the second Thursday. I now co-host Fashion Files with Amy at Coffee and Cocktails at the Casa every Tuesday. I co-host Traffic Jam Weekend every Thursday with Melynda, Lisa, Cat, and Rena. I also host 10 on the 10th on the 10th of the month! I do hope you’ll check out all of these blogs and link parties!

Amy ~ Amy’s Creative Pursuits

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Bo ~ Bo’s Bodacious Blog (Bo is taking a short blogging break right now.)

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Joanne ~ My Slice of Life

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Jodie ~ Jodie’s Touch of Style

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Marsha~ Marsha in the Middle

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Mireille ~ Chez Mireille Fashion Travel Mom