In Spain we have associated the "polka dots" or polka dots print with the flamenco dresses. And it is quite justified, since it was the gypsy women who made these dresses of faralaes and polka dots fashionable in the regional fairs, at the end of the 19th century.

However, on a more international level, these women were not the pioneers in the use of polka dots. To find their origin, we have to go back a few years further, to 1830.

A print from the year of the polka

The "polka dots", as the name suggests, have their origin in the polka dance, which appeared in the region of Bohemia (Czech Republic) in the 1830s. In order to be able to give it all on the dance floor, one of the requirements was that the clothes had to be printed with the famous polka dots.

The polka fever began to grow into the reggaeton of the time. It left the Czech borders and spread throughout Europe, especially in the United Kingdom, from where it migrated to the United States. Just as it happened with reggaeton, but in the opposite direction, without bling-bling and without lyrics that attack the intelligence.

Taking advantage of this polkamania, many entrepreneurs began to manufacture products related to this "mainstream" dance, of course, printed with "polka dots".

However, as everything that goes up eventually comes down, towards the end of the 19th century, the polka stopped rocking, as did the popular print associated with it.

Polka dots are reborn in the U.S.

Polka dot fever gained tenths again in the United States in the 20th century, when Norma Smallwood won the Miss America pageant posing in a polka dot printed swimsuit in 1926.

But the mercury rose to the top thanks to a famous paper character: Mickey's girlfriend, Minnie Mouse, with her well-known "polka dot" dress to match the bow in her hair. This meant that, once again, U.S. stores were filled with polka dot dresses and accessories.

Similar to what happened with animal print in the same years, polka dots became a symbol of feminine vindication among American women. In fact, in later years, true divas such as Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor wore polka dots in some Hollywood productions, which made the polka dot thermometer version 2.0 explode.

By then, the polka dot pattern had already made the leap to men's fashion, as in ties and bow ties, to give them a refined yet casual touch.

The big fashion houses, of course, also adopted the "polka dots" and wore them on catwalks around the world, through the most diverse garments.

From the year of the polka to ours

The "polka dots" print is nowadays even in the soup. It is a simple pattern that adds a cheerful and flirtatious touch to the garment, and serves both to enjoy a dinner with champagne and caviar and to go to La Feria de Abril with a rebujito.

However, of all the clothes and accessories that we can wear, there is one that is often forgotten... Would you know what it is?


Indeed, it seems that shoelaces only serve to tie our shoes, but no, no no no... They are also accessories with which to express our personality, to give the finishing touch to our outfit.

In Sliwils we make shoelaces patterns for all tastes, and the "polka dots" are ideal for cheerful, fun and with that flirty style that is so popular.

If you are tired of dressing always the same and you want to give one or more different touches to your look, our polka dots laces will be the last of your shoe. Suitable for polka dancing, flamenco or (there you go) reggaeton.