Kate Middleton Just Brought Back Last Summer's Popular Dress Trend

Sometimes, the emergence of certain fashion trends is so obvious you can't ignore it, such as this summer's explosion of tie-dye on everything. (Thanks in no small part to the TikTok set.) But when digging deeper, it helps to get some cold, hard data on what people are really buying and searching for. To that end, inspired by Kate Middleton's newest outfit, I researched the popularity of one print in particular: polka dot. 

According to Google Trends, during the last five years, the search term "polka dot dresses" peaked in July 2019. Now, Kate Middleton is convincing me to give it another try this summer. Polka dots are certainly nothing new, but it's a trend that's definitely cyclical and goes in and out of mass popularity. Given its time in the spotlight last summer, and now with the duchess' approval in 2020, I have a feeling it's primed to skyrocket again. Scroll down to see Kate Middleton's polka dot dress and shop the trend at affordable prices. 

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(Image credit: @kensingtonroyal)

On Kate Middleton: Emilia Wickstead dress; Castañer wedges

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Shop the Polka Dot Trend

Next, 5 dress trends you won't regret in 10 years

Associate Director, Fashion News

Erin got her start as a Who What Wear intern over 13 years ago—back when the site only published a single story per day. (Who What Wear has since increased that number twentyfold.) She graduated magna cum laude from USC, which is how she ended up moving to Los Angeles from her hometown of San Diego. In college, she also interned at Refinery29, where she was promoted to editorial assistant and then assistant editor. After nearly three years at R29, she came back to WWW in 2016, where she currently holds the title of Associate Director of Fashion News (as well as the unofficial title of resident royal expert—in case you haven't noticed her numerous Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton stories). She spends her days trying to incorporate her idols, Anna Wintour and Roger Federer, into as many stories as possible. Outside of work, she loves tennis, classic rock, traveling, and smothering her dog with affection.