Celebrating National Polka Dot Day, we uncover the fascinating journey of polka dots from plague-era stigma to Bollywood’s pregnancy fashion icon.
The trend surged when Anushka Sharma revealed her baby bump in a stunning polka dot outfit, igniting a wave of imitation. Kiara Advani’s photoshoot and Alia Bhatt’s ruffled black-and-white dress amplified the hype, dominating social feeds.
Heavyweights like Priyanka Chopra and Kareena Kapoor Khan wore them proudly during their terms, with Natasha Stankovic adding to the legacy. These choices elevated polka dots beyond fabric to emblems of maternal bliss.
Historically, 18th-century Europe associated dots with deadly outbreaks, sidelining the pattern. Enter the 19th-century polka dance, which popularized dotted attire worldwide.
The Roaring Twenties sealed its stardom—Norma Smallwood’s swimsuit, Disney’s Minnie Mouse, and mid-century stars like Marilyn Monroe made it irresistible. Bollywood stars have now reclaimed and redefined it for a new generation.