Viva polka o o o o o o o o o o o o o
A few weeks ago, I posted about fall-winter trendy colors: some easy to wear (such as blue mixed up with black); others quite bold (tangerine) that we’d better wear as enhancing touches rather than from head to toe!!!
We all know how it goes with a woman’s wardrobe. Once in a while, we cannot (we just CANNOT) resist buying trendy clothes, bags or shoes (- Darling, I fell for this adorable little… How do you like it? She says – Hon, if it makes you happy, good for you! He answers… while watching a football game on TV)… BUT, eventually, we all go back to elegant classics we have no doubts about.
Wise decision…
Question: What is the beloved and timeless scarf you would pack in your suitcase in case there is fire at home (assuming you have time to pack a suitcase)?
My answer: Besides my dear Hermès silk scarves (can’t accept the idea of taking just one scarf!), I would also grab a black and white polka dot scarf I have had for years…
Love you, my little scarf!
… because I can wear it in any season; because it looks great with a black dress, a grey suit, a pair of black jeans or a snow-white winter coat or summer blouse.
Do you know many prints as charming and eternal as polka dots? I don’t.
I think Katie Holmes would agree with me. Unfortunately I didn’t have the opportunity to ask her!
Katie Holmes (in 2008)
Sharing with you a personal memory: when I moved to the US I had no clue what polka dots meant (in French we say “petits pois” / small peas…). Tell me about the fun of languages! As I love to know the origin of weird words – at least weird to my French ears, I browsed the web and found:
“The term polka dot first appears in the magazine Godey’s Lady’s Book of May 1857: Scarf of muslin, for light summer wear…surrounded by a scalloped edge, embroidered in rows of round polka dots.The word polka itself is of certain origin. Two possibilities are commonly proffered. It could come from the Czech pulka, or half-step, pul meaning half. Or, it could be a blend of polonaise and mazurka”
What a lovely term for a lovely pattern!
Are black and white polka dot scarves all the same? No. The pattern varies from tiny dots to larger ones. Up to you to decide the one you like the best and then to create your own headscarf or neck scarf. Lost in (scarf) translation? Here are a few suggestions – more as you know on my CD Playing With Scarves.
Polka dot neck scarf (Gavroches Style)
Polka dot head scarf: cute!
Polka dot girl enjoying the sun!
What about polka dots with stripes? A little bit daring but absolutely trendy!
polka dots and stripes
Other suggestion: mixing up small polka dots (my dress) with larger polka dots (my scarf that I wear as a belt) to create a nice and harmonious contrast.
I love the combination of my polka dot scarf as a belt on my polka dot dress!
Are you ready to dance the polka dot scarf dance too?
Silky hugs 
I don’t have a polka dot scarf but now I want one. I love the combination of polka dots and stripes! I am not a fan of the term ‘polka dots’ I like the French term much better. Oh Anne, I went to Hermes on Wall Street the other day and saw some glorious 90cms, I’m afraid there is going to be an accident soon! Some of the patterns that I didn’t think I liked when I saw them online look so different in person and totally different once they are around the neck. I think it’s high time I step up to a 90! XO, Jill
Dear Jill,
The good news is: polka dot scarves (mousseline most of the time) are usually affordable. The bad news is – as you and I know: the prices of Hermes scarves have never gone down
There is only one solution to avoid an “Hermes accident”. Ask Hermès to ban you like some players do with casinos. I don’t want my friend to be in trouble because of me…
Bon weekend ma chère amie. Bizz
Anne
Thank you for your insight and tips on wearing a polk a dot scarf. I recently received a cotton navy white polk a dot scarf and don’t know what colors to coordinate with. Do you have any suggestions?
Hi Jackie!
Thanks for visiting my blog:-) I see two options: the classic one is to coordinate it with a navy blue skirt or pant. If you want to be a little bit bold, why not trying to pair it with a contrasting trendy color such as bordeaux or tangerine?
All the best,
Anne
I have three different types of polka dot scarves and love them all! I have over 100 scarves on a big hat rack…if I had time to grab scarves during a fire….I would just grab the hat rack and run!! I do not own a Hermes scarf, but would love to someday.
Wow… You are really scarf addicted Pam! The idea of storing your scarves on a hat rack sounds great. How do you protect them from dust though? Storing scarves is always an issue. I keep mine in a drawer and I roll them. In case of fire I would have to run with a drawer. LOL…
Have a great weekend
Anne
I love love love polka dots. Surprisingly I don’t own a dot scarf. Oh, oh, I need to fix that!! I adore the stripes and polka dots together . They coordinate beautifully. I’m not a big fan of mousseline so I’ll hunt for a different fabric. Very pretty post.
Jennifer
Thank you Jennifer:-) Yep, polka dot scarves are always pretty and they are timeless. I noticed that most of them come in mousseline fabric but you may find other ones too. I have a blue one and a red one which are made with heavy silk – like Hermes scarves. The result is very different from a mousseline scarf when you tie them…
Happy hunting dear!
xo
Anne
This is the perfect way to add the polka dot trend to any outfit!
Meredith
createthatoutfit.com
You are right Meredith! And to be totally trendy then it’s polka dots + stripes.
Thank you for your comment:-) Have a lovely weekend !
Anne
I adore your ‘petit pois’ Anne… and like you am a scarf addict… Spots and polka dots have always been a favourite of mine… xv
Thank you for your comment Vicki:-)
So many of us love “les petits pois”. They will never go out of fashion and they are always so fresh – if I may say…
Bon dimanche!
Anne
I love scarf! Its so sexy and beautiful!
Very good!
http://estiloeousadia.wordpress.com/
Thank you for your comment Natália
You are right: scarves can be very sexy. What about a scarf around the ankle for a touch of soft sexiness? Try and let me know how you like it!
All the best,
Excellente idée, ces petits pois, et je viens de me rendre compte que je n’en avais pas encore dans ma collection de foulards … Hmmm… Une suggestion que je vais m’empresser d’utiliser la prochaine fois que je me ballade “au mall”
Veronique
Merci Véronique pour ton commentaire:-)
Tu es une vraie gourmande / gourmet: de toi je sais maintenant que tu raffoles du Nutella et que tu vas bientôt craquer pour des petits pois. Fais de bonnes emplettes au mall!
xo,
Anne
Pour les emplettes, c’est en bonne voie, Anne.
J’ai mentionné ton blog ce soir dans mon nouveau post. Je pense qu’une partie au moins te plaira 
A bientôt. Veronique
Merci Véronique! C’est vraiment super gentil de ta part d’avoir mentionné mon blog.
J’espère qu’il y a des foulards – bien chauds – dans tes emplettes…
Bizz,
Anne
I do NOT own a polka dot scarf…yet! I’ll be looking out for one now that I see how fabulous they look around the neck and else where. Thanks for the inspiration!
Hi Jeannie,
I am sure once you get a polka dot scarf you will love it and find many ways, as always, to wear it.
A polka dot scarf is almost a must … and it’s a good pretext to go shopping ! Ha! (if a woman ever needs a pretext to go shopping).
xo,
Anne
Amazing scarf ! Obsessed with polka dots ! And with scarved too for that matter !!!
My Blog – A Pretty Nest
Thanks for your comment Marie-Eve! I can tell from your blog that you love polka dots too… Once you start loving polka dots, it becomes like an addiction, right?
All the best
Anne