The Polka Dot Trend Is Kaia Gerber's Chic Date to the 'Palm Royale' Season 2 Premiere

Give it up for the open back.

Kaia Gerber styled a polka-dot halter-neck gown at the Palm Royale Season 2 premiere
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Back in May, Marie Claire called polka dots the print trend to rule summer 2025. Warm-weather runways from Carolina Herrera to Jacquemus, and Acne Studios were all seeing spots. Cut to October: Kaia Gerber is now insisting the popular pattern must stick around through fall.

On October 22, West Hollywood's The Sun Rose belonged to Apple TV and Palm Royale's Season 2 premiere. Every A-list actor in the cast RSVP-ed "yes," including Gerber, who's reprising her role as Mitzi. The supermodel-turned-actor looked straight from the 1960s-themed show in a polka dot Dries Van Noten dress. A blend of viscose georgette and silk stretched from the halter-neck, past the open back, to the floor-length hem. Its purple-and-white dots popped against a lemon yellow backdrop.

Instead of your average halter, a contrasting tie-striped scarf wrapped around her neck. Another differing satin strip—in violet and brown stripes—lined the right side of her bodice. The skirt turned subtly sheer around Gerber's knees. Stark white sandals complemented her gown, possibly inspired by the show's Palm Beach, Florida, setting.

Kaia Gerber styled a polka-dot halter-neck gown at the Palm Royale Season 2 premiere

Kaia Gerber channeled her '60s-era character in polka-dotted Dries Van Noten.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

In true supermodel form, Gerber gave photographers a close-up of the gown's back. The tag end remained completely open, apart from the scarf collar, which draped down past her calves.

Who needs a necklace with that kind of neckline? Gerber opted for a pendant bracelet instead. What started as your average charm bracelet transformed into an elongated statement piece. Multi-color stones hung from the chainlink bangle, matching her diamond drop earrings.

another angle of Kaia Gerber's polka dot dress

Give it up for the back of the dress.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Polka-dot fall is firmly upon us. Fall 2025 lines from Valentino, Nina Ricci, Ulla Johnson, Moschino, and more ensured there are plenty of speckled pieces to go around. Gerber's dress debuted in Dries Van Noten's fall collection, among a sea of jewel-toned dots.

Spring 2026 shows, which wrapped up mere weeks ago, paved the way for another polka-dot-driven season. Everyone from Todd Snyder and Patou to Elie Saab and Jean Paul Gaultier got the memo. Even Dries Van Noten endorsed its return again. All this to say? The runway circuit agrees with Gerber's claim: Polka-dots aren't going anywhere.

Shop Polka-Dot Pieces Inspired by Kaia Gerber

Meguire Hennes
Staff Writer, Fashion

Meguire Hennes is the fashion staff writer at Marie Claire, where she breaks down the celebrity looks living rent-free in her head (and yours). Whether a star is walking the red carpet or posing on Instagram, Meguire will tell you who they're wearing and why. When she's not gushing about A-listers from J.Law to Rihanna, Meguire also covers breaking industry news.

Previously, Meguire was the fashion news writer at The Zoe Report. She received a bachelor's degree in fashion studies at Montclair State University, and has freelanced at Bustle, Women's Health, Well+Good, and more. You can find her words across the fashion, beauty, health, and wellness verticals, because her Libra moon wouldn't let her settle on one beat. Follow her on Instagram for BTS moments from her Marie Claire era.