November 3, 2026

Polka Dots Were an Unexpected Trend at the 2026 CFDA Fashion Awards

Considering the CFDA Fashion Awards take place in New York during autumn, polka dots, a print I associate more with spring and summer, weren’t a trend I expected to see on this red carpet. Yet three stars embraced the print, while a fourth found a way to join in with an accessory.

Naomi Osaka poses in a white Miss Claire Sullivan polka-dot gown with a single puffed sleeve, black bow and platform sandals at the 2026 CFDA Fashion Awards.
Zach Hilty/BFA.com

A Different Side Of Naomi

I was surprised to see Naomi Osaka wearing this Miss Claire Sullivan gown, as it doesn’t feel like her usual style. As graphic as the polka-dot print is, the overall look feels a little muted by her standards, although that’s probably because I’m so accustomed to her extravagant couture moments on the tennis court.

There’s also a touch of ’80s prom about the puffed sleeve and black waist bow. I appreciate Naomi trying something different, but I’m yet to be convinced by Miss Claire Sullivan. Desert diamond creations by Rahaminov completed her look.

Rose Byrne wears a strapless Carolina Herrera Spring 2027 black-and-white polka-dot dress with a contrasting ivory waist panel and full skirt at the CFDA Fashion Awards.
Zach Hilty/BFA.com

A Tale Of Two Polka Dots

Rose Byrne wore a Carolina Herrera Spring 2027 gown that feels like a throwback to the kind of playful, feminine glamour we associate with the ’50s. It’s a classic look, but one that still fresh in the moment.

Side profile of Rose Byrne in her Carolina Herrera polka-dot dress, showing the fitted silhouette, dropped skirt and black pointed-toe shoes at the 2026 CFDA Fashion Awards.
Zach Hilty/BFA.com

I would have loved her to wear the yellow pumps we saw on the runway, or even carry a yellow clutch, but black was the easier option.

Carolina Herrera Spring 2027 runway model wearing a black-and-white strapless polka-dot dress with an ivory waist panel, full skirt and yellow accessories, later worn by Rose Byrne at the 2026 CFDA Fashion Awards.
Carolina Herrera Spring 2027
Becky G wears a blue Carolina Herrera Spring 2027 polka-dot dress with a sweetheart neckline, ruched skirt and black spotted bow at the 2026 CFDA Fashion Awards.
Zach Hilty/BFA.com

Blue Is The New Black

Becky G‘s Carolina Herrera Spring 2027 polka dots came in blue, white and black, but the real story here is the ruching and sweetheart neckline.

Becky G turns to reveal the strapless back and gathered fabric of her blue Carolina Herrera polka-dot gown at the CFDA Fashion Awards in New York.
Zach Hilty/BFA.com

I love how the dress celebrates her figure, while the contrasting bow adds a playful finish. The René Caovilla silver platform sandals completed her look.

Carolina Herrera Spring 2027 runway model wearing a blue and black polka-dot dress with a sweetheart neckline, ruched skirt and contrasting spotted bow, later worn by Becky G at the 2026 CFDA Fashion Awards.
Carolina Herrera Spring 2027
Pamela Anderson wears a black embellished halterneck Carolina Herrera Spring 2027 dress with a white Annie satin clutch and black pointed-toe pumps at the 2026 CFDA Fashion Awards.
Kevin Mazur/WireImage

A Little Dot Of Difference

I’m sneaking Pamela Anderson into this roundup because, while her Carolina Herrera Spring 2027 black halterneck dress wasn’t covered in polka dots, her white Carolina Herrera Annie satin clutch with black embellishments certainly earned her a place, adding a playful contrast.

I prefer Pamela when she opts for colour, but she continues to make a convincing case for her more understated red carpet style.

Carolina Herrera Spring 2027 runway model in a black halterneck midi dress with textured embellishment at the neckline, the design worn by Pamela Anderson at the 2026 CFDA Fashion Awards.
Carolina Herrera Spring 2027

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