I'm 5’2”—Can I Pull Off Polka Dots (1 of Spring’s Hottest Trends)?

Polka dots are trending: This we know. In recent weeks and even days, I can’t tell you how many store displays I’ve seen decorated with modern variations on the classic dotted pattern. Seriously, it’s not just dresses and blouses that are sporting the popular print—I’ve seen everything from sunglasses to scarves to high heels covered in it. Proof there’s a zillion options for infusing the trend into your everyday looks.

But if you’re petite, is it still possible to stylishly wear it? I’ll admit the busy print was one I tended to balk at—as trendy as it now is, polka dots have also been around forever and I count myself as a shorty who treads cautiously when I see the print on a store hanger given it can quickly skew from cute to chaotic. What’s the best way to pull off such a bold print when you’re 5’2”, like myself?

I went straight to our in-house fashion expert, PureWow’s own Stephanie Meraz. As associate fashion commerce editor and columnist behind our Shop On It newsletter, Meraz can attest: She’s seen a lot of polka dots as of late. The best way to style them for a shorter frame is actually rather simple: Per Meraz, choose a smaller dot.

“Just as a dress with too many ruffles or layering oversize piece over oversize piece can drown you out, so too can large polka dot prints,” she explains. But fret not, petites can still totally pull off the timeless pattern. “The busy print adds dimension, personality and pure, plain fun to your outfits, whether you choose to wear a polka dot blouse, pant, skirt, scarf or dress. The issue: Loud prints can sometimes overwhelm petite frames. Opting for pieces that boast smaller polka dots over big versions will look more balanced and proportionate on petite bodies.”

Another tactic for pulling off the print: Pair it with solids where you can. For example, a black pump with a polka dot dress or a dark-wash jean with a classy, polka-dot blouse, Meraz says. “More than anything, try to avoid polka dots and volume—minimal and simple silhouettes will look more streamlined and complementary.”

Here, five looks that prove polka dots are possible, even when you’re petite.

As Meraz describes, a delicate dot paired with a solid hue is something that always works. In the case of this skirt from Dôen, the butter yellow cardigan dials down the boldness of the print. The size of the dot also makes a huge difference when it comes to what might otherwise have read as a too-busy print. Instead, this midi—and its polka dot pattern—looks pretty and polished.

What’s special here is the white on white. Yes, there’s a polka dot pattern, but for a petite frame, it offers an elevated riff on the trend while keeping its overall presence subtle. Paired with denim, this is a look you could wear to run errands, but also for a more casual day at the office. Yes, the sheer sleeves have a bit of flounce, but the volume is minimal enough that it doesn’t take over, which gives the classic print a chance to shine.

Too bold, you say? Polka dots that run from head to toe? We repeat: As long as the dot is tiny, petites can totally pull this off. In fact, as a set, this is also a super flowy look for spring/summer and one that doesn’t overwhelm. The black polka dot on white also helps minimize the pattern while drawing the eye upward.

A crisp white collar, a longer sleeve—the details here are what make the polka dot print on these tailored (and elegant) options really sing. It’s also what helps the busy pattern work for petites: Yes, both of these styles feature a tinier dot, but the thoughtful flourishes (the front-facing buttons, the low-key puff sleeve) make a bolder pattern read like a neutral and one that feels secondary to the design’s overall look.

Enter this dress—in a rich brown hue—from Sézane. The dot is a hair bigger, but the tailored fit still makes it work for anyone with a shorter frame. From the V-neck to the empire waist, even the delicate flutter of the sleeves—all together, it draws the eye up and has a lengthening effect at the same time. All the while, the popular polka dot pattern remains front and center.