Fashion SL's: Polka Dots

Now that I have a little hair and have ceased wearing head scarves on a daily basis, I am dreaming of polka dots.  Polka dots have been off my mind for the past 6 months because I felt like it was a little (A LOT!) difficult to combine scarves with polka dots…though I’m sure that there are the brave souls out there who would combine the two.

Now, however, it’s time to bring polka dots back into my life (Silver Lining).

Though they seem to be a trend right now, I seem them a a classic.  Actually, come to think of it, it seems as if classics in general are a trend. If that is indeed the case, then I’m definitely trendy.  Ha! That notion makes me giggle. See how circuitous my mind still is right now?!?

Anyway, back to polka dots. They became common on clothing in the middle of nineteenth century in Britain. During the same period, the Bohemian dance called the Polka became very popular. The dance quickly spread through Europe and then crossed the Pacific to the United States. One of the earliest uses of the term as a design was in 1873 in Godey’s Lady Book magazine.

 

 

Polka dancing and dotted clothing (especially dresses) were popular at the time and presumably people wore clothes with dots to polka dances. The two became connected, and the term “Polka Dot” was born. Fun, right?  Ok, please humor me…again.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One of my all-time favorite references to polka dots is Brian Hyland’s 1960 song: “Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini.”  Such a Silver Lining and happy song!

 

Brian Hyland – Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini Lyrics

She was afraid to come out of the locker
She was as nervous as she could be
She was afraid to come out of the locker
She was afraid that somebody would see
Two three four tell the people what she wore

It was an Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini
That she wore for the first time today
An Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini
So in the locker, she wanted to stay
Two three four stick around we’ll tell you more

She was afraid to come out in the open
So a blanket around her she wore
She was afraid to come out in the open
So she sat, bundled up on the shore
Two three four tell the people what she wore

It was an Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini
That she wore for the first time today
An Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini
So in the blanket, she wanted to stay
Two three four the stick around we’ll tell you more

Now she’s afraid to come out of the water
And I wonder what she’s gonna do
Now she’s afraid to come out of the water
And the poor little girl’s turning blue
Two thee four tell the people what she wore

It was an Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini
That she wore for the first time today
An Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini
So in the water, she wanted to stay

From the Locker to the blanket
From the blanket to the shore
From the shore to the water

Yes, there isn’t any more!

 

Photo Credit:  (1) Unknown, (2) Vogue, (3) Kate Spade, (4) Unknown, (5) Vogue, (6) Style.com, (7) Jak & Jil Blog, (8) Vogue, (9) Unknown, (10) Martha Stewart, (11) Style.com, (12) Elle Decor, (13 – 15) Style.com