Dottie Darling: Polka Dots, Design Inspiration and Fit Advice!
Kittens, if you think polkadots were ever merely cute, you must have missed a few memos - and possibly several martinis!
Polkadots have always had excellent timing. They first fluttered into fashion society during a dance craze (the polka, naturally) in the mid-1800s, when Europe became quite beside itself and started slapping the word polka on absolutely everything. Puddings. Suspenders. Scarves. One can only imagine the parties!
By 1857, the very proper pages of Godey’s Lady’s Book were already whispering about a muslin scarf embroidered in neat little dots - light, ladylike, and clearly designed for a woman with places to be. And just like that, the dot had entrée.
Fast-forward a few decades and polkadots were everywhere. The 1920s adored them. Beauty queens wore them. Cartoon mice adopted them. Flamenco dancers swished them dramatically across Spanish dance floors - proving once and for all that a dot can be flirtatious and commanding, depending entirely on who’s wearing it.
By the 1940s, crooners were singing about them, and by the 1950s? Well - the dots had found their crowd.
Hollywood... Dotty about polka dots!
Marilyn Monroe understood the assignment immediately.
In the early ’50s, she slipped into polkadots and made them legend - from her dotted bikini moments to her lesser-discussed (but terribly chic) spotted halter dress. Playful? Yes. Elegant? Entirely.
She was joined by Lucille Ball, Jane Russell, and a sprinkling of royals who all quietly agreed: a woman in dots looks approachable - but never forgettable.
Because here’s the thing society girls knew then (and frankly, still do):
Looking lovely isn’t frivolous. It’s strategic.
Polkadots & Paychecks
Contrary to popular belief, the women of the 1950s weren’t wafting about all day with nothing but time and lipstick. They worked. They organised. They typed. They managed studios, schedules, and entire households.
And what did they wear to do it? Polkadots! Cheerful, yes - but also capable. The uniform of secretaries, magazine girls, stylists, costume assistants. Women who dressed well not because they were idle, but because they were efficient.
You can see it in old films: A girl at her desk, pencil behind her ear, dots dancing as she types. Another striding through a studio lot, heels clicking, skirt swishing, absolutely certain she’s late - but worth waiting for.
Polkadots photographed beautifully. They softened sharp silhouettes without ever dulling authority. They said: I’m charming - and I know exactly what I’m doing.
Dottie Darling, Today
Dottie Darling is for that same girl - just with better coffee.
This is return-to-routine dressing the 1950s way: polished, comfortable, and quietly confidence-boosting. Blue polkadots feel wonderfully capable - the sort of dress you’d wear to a fitting, a meeting, or a morning that turns into an afternoon. Red dots, on the other hand, carry a little more intent. Perfect for days when you’d like to feel noticed!
And should romance happen to cross your path (one never knows), Dottie Darling rises to that occasion too. Those classic shapes bring just enough pin-up polish for Valentine’s Day without any unnecessary effort. The cotton blend allows for comfort, movement, and the occasional second dessert, while neat waistbands and soft silhouettes keep everything feeling flattering and assured.
Because the best dresses don’t demand a special occasion - they simply rise to one.
A Curious Reader Might Ask…
If you’re quietly wondering what Godey’s Lady’s Book actually was - you’re in excellent company. In the 19th century, it was the guidebook for well-dressed women: part fashion authority, part etiquette adviser, and part society compass.
Its hand-coloured fashion plates dictated what was considered correct, while its pages offered guidance on fit, proportion, and presentation - because a garment, then as now, was expected to flatter, support, and move gracefully through a woman’s day.
Which brings us rather neatly to the present moment, because in true Godey’s spirit, our modern-day Kittens have done exactly the same thing: stepped into the changeroom, tried Dottie Darling on properly, and made thoughtful notes on fit, feel, and how each design wears in real life.
✨ Now, let’s step into the changeroom…
Kay Kitten
Measurements: BUST 79CM, WAIST 65.5CM, HIP 91CM, HEIGHT 172CM
Dottie Darling Dress (Navy & Cherry Red) - Size 6
A firm but beautifully true-to-size fit. The belt earns its keep, cinching the waist just so, while the square neckline sits securely and comfortably - no fussing required, even for a smaller bust. Pockets, of course (one does have standards), and Kay added a petticoat for a little extra swish and presence.
Dottie Darling Lace Blouse (Navy) - Size 6
A timeless little number that plays beautifully with the skirts and layers with ease. The frill and peekaboo detail add just enough intrigue, while remaining perfectly work-appropriate.
Dottie Darling Spot Camisole (Red) - Size Small:
Kay chose a Small here, noting that the camisole runs on the firmer side - though it’s extremely stretchy. The lace is delightfully soft, with none of that dreaded scratchiness, making it a pleasure to wear all day.
Dottie Darling Skirt (Navy & Cherry Red) - Size 6:
True to size and wonderfully comfortable through the waist. Once again - pockets, which we simply adore. Kay paired hers with a petticoat for added volume, giving that classic, full-skirt silhouette the proper amount of drama.
And finally - a word on footwear…
The Hello Darling shoes were the finishing touch. Sweet as can be, wonderfully comfortable, and a little easier on the foot than higher heels like the Vixens. A sensible choice - though no one would ever accuse them of looking it!
Kerryn Kitten
Measurements: BUST 93CM, WAIST 70CM, HIP 104CM, HEIGHT 169CM
Dottie Darling Lace Blouse (Navy) - Size 8:
If one were taking notes, this pairing would be underlined twice. Worn with the skirt, it became Kerryn’s favourite combination of the collection. The blue hue is particularly flattering, and the fit achieved something quite remarkable - cinched and sleek, yet still undeniably curvy. Witchcraft? Perhaps. True to size, with lace so soft it feels positively indulgent to wear.
Dottie Darling Spot Camisole - Size Medium:
Here, Kerryn chose to size up - and for very sound reasoning. A larger size keeps the polkadots perfectly round (a detail connoisseurs will appreciate). The camisole is soft, comfortable, and thoughtfully designed with adjustable straps and a peekaboo lace panel that adds just the right amount of intrigue.
Dottie Darling Skirt (Navy) - Size 8:
Quite possibly the perfect circle skirt - and Kerryn did not hesitate to say so. True to size, beautifully cut, and blessed with pockets (as all respectable skirts should be). Effortlessly pairs with much of Kerryn’s existing Kitten wardrobe, making it one of those pieces you reach for again and again.
She’ll take one in each colour, thank you very much.
Worn with a petticoat, naturally - some things simply aren’t negotiable.
Dottie Darling Dress (Navy) - Size 8:
Perky, sweet, and entirely irresistible. The matching belt earns high praise (as do the pockets - naturally), but Kerryn couldn’t resist experimenting: swapping belts, layering the lace blouse beneath, and generally proving just how versatile this little number truly is. The fit is beautifully true to size, with the 8 sitting perfectly. A petticoat was added - because of course it was!
Siana Kitten
Measurements: Bust 108cm, Waist 91cm, Hip 123cm Height 163cm
Dottie Darling Dress (Cherry Red & Navy) - Size 16:
Declared her standout piece - and one can see why. The fit is firm and structured, with no stretch, offering a beautifully held silhouette. The length was just right, and the belt worked wonders in emphasising the waist.
Polished, confident, and entirely dependable - a dress that knows how to behave.
Dottie Darling Lace Blouse (Red) - Size 16:
A great, comfortable fit with a touch of stretch for ease. The matching singlet earns special praise - a thoughtful detail that elevates this blouse from lovely to downright practical. A very welcome bonus.
Dottie Darling Spot Cowl Camisole (Navy) - Size Large:
Here, Siana offers a helpful note for fellow Kittens. While she loved the double-layered neckline and rich navy colour, she found the Large a little restrictive through the chest and arms, and would size up to an XL next time for a more comfortable fit. Sensible, considered, and exactly the sort of insight one appreciates.
Dottie Darling Skirt (Navy & Cherry Red) - Size 16:
A great fit through the waist with no stretch, and a length Siana found particularly flattering. Worn with a petticoat, the extra fullness added just the right amount of drama. The skirt proved wonderfully versatile, and the polkadot lining was a detail she couldn’t help but admire.
Adrienne Kitten
Measurements: Bust 108cm, Waist 88cm, HIP 118cm, Height 169cm
Dottie Darling Spot Camisole - Size Large:
Another winning polkadot moment. Adrienne loves this worn with the skirt, but notes it would be equally perfect paired with Kitten Denim for those “jeans and a nice top” occasions. True to size, with adjustable straps for ease and comfort - really, what’s not to love?
Dottie Darling Skirt (Navy & Cherry Red) - Size 12:
A perfect classic circle skirt, brimming with style and promise. Adrienne declared it an instant wardrobe staple, already dreaming up endless ensembles to pair with it. The fit is beautifully true to size - nothing more, nothing less. Quite simply… perfection.
Dottie Darling Lace Blouse - Size 12:
Gloriously soft against the skin and beautifully coloured, this blouse earns its place as a true wardrobe staple. The fit is comfortably true to size, and Adrienne especially loves that it comes with a matching singlet - a thoughtful touch that makes it one she’ll reach for again and again.
Dottie Darling Dress (Navy & Cherry Red) - Size 12:
Goodness - what a cutie of a dress indeed. The belt delivers a truly fabulous waist cinch, creating a silhouette that feels deliciously curvy in all the right ways. The fit is spot-on true to size, and yes, it comes with pockets (which Adrienne very much approves of). With endless layering possibilities, this is the sort of dress that promises to keep on giving season after season.
Sarah Kitten
Measurements: BUST 88CM, WAIST 66CM, HIP 96CM, HEIGHT 170CM
Dottie Darling Dress (Navy) - Size 6:
True to her usual size 6, the fit is spot-on. The thick belt earns top marks for its flattering effect, defining the waist beautifully. Sarah layered not one but two petticoats beneath - purely for extra bedazzle, of course - resulting in a silhouette that simply demanded attention.
Dottie Darling Spot Camisole (Cherry Red) - Size Small:
Taken in her usual Small, the camisole fits true to size. The fabric is wonderfully stretchy, flattering, and so comfortable it’s almost indecent. A piece that proves polkadots can feel just as good as they look.
Dottie Darling Skirt (Cherry Red) - Size 6:
Again, Sarah stayed true to her usual size 6 and found the fit comparable to the beloved Tea Rose classic full skirt - always a reassuring benchmark. Pockets, naturally, are fabulous, and the vibrant colours were an immediate favourite.
All told, a showing that confirms Dottie Darling rather enjoys being worn with confidence - and perhaps a petticoat or two.
What a statement piece. The colours compliment the wearer spot on.
Sooooo excited for this collection! I love a good polka dot and this looks super cute!!!
Stunning classic designs. What girl doesnt love polka dots?!
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