If you needed evidence that the polka dot trend is still going strong (and Mary Berry, Catherine Princess of Wales, and M&S all climbing aboard wasn’t enough for you), just look to the eternally elegant Dame Joan Collins, who at 93 has proven not only the ongoing appeal of polka dots, but also that ticking off the trends is an entirely ageless endeavour.
Appearing at The Casting Directors’ Luncheon at Corinthia London on Friday, Joan Collins went for a monochrome ensemble. Over a classic black dress, the actress and author wore a vintage polka dot blouse as a jacket (we believe it’s archival Valentino) as well as a large white hat and matching black and white jewellery.
Joan is a noted fan of polka dots, opting for the print in January for the red carpet at The Cut Golden Globes Brunch, and, of course, famously wearing a custom-made polka dot Nolan Miller suit as Alexis Carrington in the Dynasty TV series in the 80s.
Elsewhere this year, celebrities including Julia Roberts, Helen Mirren, Margot Robbie, and Demi Moore have all worn polka dots, in the form of dresses, shirts, and accessories.
We quite like how Joan has gone for a polka dot jacket rather than the more typical super-girly polka dot print dress, but, alas, we can’t get our hands on the exact one she wore at this event. Unless she’s willing to lend it out? Joan, if you’re reading, do give us a shout.
But thanks to polka dots indeed being a big trend, there are lots of similar jacket styles on the high street. Ahead, we pick some of the best.
First up, this Nobody's Child jacket, which will bring an on-trend twist layered over a black dress or a simple T-shirt and jeans.
Nobody's Child Cream Polka Dot Swing Jacket
Zara's take has a zip fastening and a rounded neckline.
Whereas Reiss takes things smarter with a polka dot blazer in white and navy. They offer matching trousers if you'd like to go for a top-to-toe suit look.
Reiss Beatrix Polka Dot Double-Breasted Suit Blazer
And if you're particularly fond of the gentle puff sleeve of Joan's jacket, this structured style from Boden will be right up your street.
If you're wondering how Dame Joan Collins looks and feels so fantastic at 93, the trick might lie in eating a particular fruit a day. No, not an apple (although there's no harm in doing that too). Joan recently revealed that she eats an avocado nearly every day, adding that she also relies on a three key supplements: 'I take Vitamin C, E and omega oils,' she told The Daily Mail.
The science backs Joan up on her choice of fruit and veg. Avocados are super nutrient dense, containing high levels of potassium, folate, vitamin K, magnesium, and vitamin E, which are linked to health benefits including regulated blood pressure and heart function. Their high fibre content can help your digestive health, too.
Joan recently told Hello! that she rarely has breakfast and avoids late-night snacking, too. 'Never, not before I go to bed,' she said. 'I believe our body is a factory, it needs to be fed the right things. If you have a great car, you don’t put inferior petrol into it. I’m very fussy about what I eat.'
While experts tend to agree that avoiding late-night nibbles is a good idea (primarily to give your digestive system time and space to function overnight), there's less evidence to recommend skipping breakfast.
Rhiannon Lambert, a registered nutritionist, previously told Good Housekeeping that she worries that when we reduce our number of meals, we miss out on opportunities to get in all the nutrients we need. '‘It is already challenging for many people in the UK to meet their fibre, calcium, omega-3, fruit and vegetable targets across a whole day, let alone within one meal,' Rhiannon shared. 'Adults are advised to aim for around 30g of fibre per day, yet NDNS data suggests around 96% of adults are not meeting this recommendation. Fibre is crucial for gut health, microbial diversity and long-term health.'
Many of us also need breakfast to feel energised and ready for the day. ‘Some people also feel much better with more regular nourishment throughout the day – what I’d call “steady fuelling” rather than long periods without food,' Rhiannon noted. 'This can support energy, concentration, appetite regulation and exercise recovery. For most people, I’d rather see a balanced pattern of meals built around plants, protein, fibre-rich carbohydrates and healthy fats than a one-meal-a-day approach.’
So, to recap: while you probably shouldn't copy Dame Joan Collins when it comes to skipping breakfast, you absolutely should go ahead and use her wisdom on both avocados and polka dot prints.
