Polka dots have taken over everything, from clothes to kitchenware.

From Brian Hyland’s hit song Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka-dot Bikini Aishwarya Rai strutting the ramp for Satya Paul in a polka print sari, the dot has come a long way. The origins of the polka dot go much further back. In the 1840s, the polka was the latest dance craze sweeping America (the word polka coming from the Czech word pulka meaning half-step). In an effort to cash in on the fad, manufacturers began naming all sorts of thing polka. Products like polka gauze, polka hats, polka curtain bands and, of course, polka-dotted fabrics hit the market at this time. Analysts believe the term ‘polka dot’ became part of daily life by the 1880s.

It was on the 1950s, that the itsy bitsy teenie weenie yellow polka-dot bikini presaged this year’s graphic Moschino version. Then Andy Warhol went dotty over dots in the 1960s, making portraits with them. The 1970s saw a lot of psychedelic spots too. And even in the very angular 80s. Julia Roberts paraded the prim glamour of the dotted dress in Pretty woman. The dot com boom of the 90s that followed wasn’t really about this dot, but the new millennium has brought with it new penchant for the colourful eyeful that a polka-dotted print offers.

Today, the international style statement is highly polka dotted – Dolce & Gabbana’s cherry bustier dress. Kay Unger New York’s strapless gown in teal with aqua polka dots. Missoni’s Italian deco dot flirty dress. Saks Filth Avenue’s multi-colour dot crewneck cashmere sweater, Fossil’s plastic cuff watch with a blue polka dot dial, dotted ties from the likes of Ted Baker and Ralph Lauren Moscino’s polka-dot bikini and wrap skirt…. And the Indian markst isn’t far behind. Middle-range design brands like Energy have a plethora of dots on their flirty mini skirts and ponchos. Kitten heeled shoes with polka dots are de regular for retro parties. And if you thought you could keep dots out of the bedroom, think again Brands like Zeba and Dreams have colourful collections that hit just the right spot.