Life's A Beat: You got to love polka dots, especially this year

Lucille Ball still from "I Love Lucy"

Water prints - so vivid you can smell the chorine – that’s one of the fashion trends flowing down New York runways and likely to puddle in stores across America this summer.

And while I do enjoy the water and anything blue, the idea of wearing a garment that’s going to add waves to my ruffles – I don’t think I’ll be buying into that.

What I am excited to hear is that polka dots are still in style. Fashion gurus in fact are predicting a plague in 2013 -- with the old time print showing up on everything from basic t-shirts and summer capris to formal dresses, handbags and pumps.

They are as hot today as they were when people got their first glimpse at Micky Mouse's female companion, Minnie, born in the Walt Disney illustration studio dressed in a polka dot skirt, back in 1924. Minnie's red and white dotted skirt became her trademark.
Just as the polka dot dress became a staple for Lucille Ball's wardrobe in 'I Love Lucy (1953)." In those days, all of the female celebrities, Katherine Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor, they were wearing the fanciful print. Even the airways were graced with polka dots thanks to Brian Hyland's 1960 hit, "Itsy Bitsy Teenie Yellow Polka Dot Binini."

Why do we love it so?

I think it’s because polka dots like argyle can be both elegant and whimsy, formal and fun, dressy or hey are whimsy. They can be fun and casual or elegant and debonair.
Polka dots like the argyle print can be both elegant and whimsy, formal and fun, prim or lackadaisical.

So, without further ado here are a few polka dot items Wallis (www.wallisfashion.com) is highlighting online as well as a few other items you might see in a clothing (or pet store) near you. After all -- spots look good on animals too!