I have pretty much always had an obsessive fascination with polka dots. I think it began with a navy polka dot dress with violet fabric covered buttons that I got in high school and wore well into my twenties . The cut was simple, but its slightly pleated gathering at the sleeve and a swift tuck in at the waist gave it an interesting shape extending past the calf. I still have this one in my closet with its buttons pulling off and fabric sun faded from so much wear. When I was in my twenties I also got into the habit of wearing double polka dots matching or mismatching, sometimes a micro dot with a larger dot skirt or sweater. I remember Comme des Garçons did a fast fashion collaboration with H&M and I wore a polka dot cardigan to pieces until my then two year old son took it over for this dress up entertainment. Sorry Sam here is your first and possibly last appearance on my substack if you get wind of it.
Comme des Garcons HM cardigan modeled by Sam
My prized polka dot dress with my sister on the streets of Manhattan, 2005?
Now at my shop there are always multiple polka dot items- dresses, skirts, blouses they are a staple for Avion. I think they make me feel hopeful like I am getting away to somewhere far away when I wear them. Also I think they liven up a mood or an outfit. I would venture to say people who are into wearing neutrals or black and shy away from prints should maybe consider a polka dot piece for their wardrobe. Here are a few of my favorite polka dot pieces I have made over the years.
Polka dots always take me to another time in history in fashion. When I was thinking about what to write about this week and I thought I would research a little about the history of the polka dot first and gosh I was a little surprised. The invention of polka dots is believed to have happened in the Middle Ages. Due to the lack of fabric machines and modern medicine, the pattern of irregularly spaced dots made people think of the rashes caused by diseases. The industrial revolution brought the machinery necessary to print regular patterns like dots. And polka dots took a firm hold in the 1920’s in fashion and carried on in style. There’s some lore that they relate to the polka dance but that seems not a very developed theory from what I read.
Dots at the shop
Carrying on with the theme of getting away somewhere, I’m leaving for Paris tomorrow night for work and I’m packing my suitcase now. I had a substack request about packing for trips since I travel quite a bit so I will open my suitcase up for a quick 4 night 5 day trip pack.
In my case (A carry on aluminum Rimowa from forever ago) :
Avion Jean Stripe Breton Black
Avion Nina Slipdress in Black
Old CĂ©line trench coat wearing on the plane
Private 0204 cashmere beanie and scarf black could double as a shawl in appointments
Row Gala pants recommended to me by friend Gail for a perfect slouchy dressing up or down pant that doesn’t wrinkle. I don’t honestly buy a lot of clothes from the Row I swear, but I do live in their Thilde Pants with the slits so one pair of each of these is coming with me.
One pair of Chanel Ballet flats and one pair of my old Khaite x Adidas cross country sneakers in black comfy and cool enough for Paris and running around.
A neck scarf black polka dot from Charvet
One Avion Lena Skirt Escher print
2 black tanks and 2 black tee shirts of camisoles. I like Hanro and Dries Van Noten and Frances de Lourdes ones.
I pair of black sweatpants for the hotel from Monrow.
I Avion Ballet sweatshirt Black
A fresh notebook for drawing, pencils.
3 sweaters one long sleeve from Private 0204 for the plane and short sleeve cardigan and navy short sleeve crewneck from Khaite to wear with my skirt.
Tights and undergarments, pilates socks in case I find a good class en francais!
For toiletries I keep it simple and bring my Vintner’s Daughter trio, May Lindstrom travel size blue cocoon, Seed Probiotic, concealer, lip gloss and my toothbrush. I like to travel light and just get stuff when I arrive. I love this travel case I got last summer at Chez Dede in Rome for toiletries.
And that’s it for me I try to never check a bag until I come home after shopping for the store I bring a collapsable duffle inside my bag or buy one there. I think I will bring my big Navy Dragon Diffusion Nantucket with my laptop in it for writing and my personal items. I’m reading Funny Weather right now and I am really enjoying it.
Will send a dispatch from Paris, any recommendations please send away! Oh and in closing- my instagram was hacked this weekend and I lost my account it seems and it’s being held for ransom it’s ridiculous. A. Be warned and don’t follow Meta links in your email and B. If you follow me on instagram please go to my new account: @AVIONCLOTHIERSHOP Thank you!
xx Kathy
My two favourite museums in Paris are Musée de la chasse et la nature (an old dusty hunting museum that now shows their original collection alongside modern art with nature themes) and les Pavillons de Bercy (musée des arts foraines). The last one is about the history of fairs, they have a large collection of attractions and decorative elements from the past. You have to take a tour but it's worth it!