Archive August 17, 2025

From runway to high street, polka dots have taken over this summer and we’ve found the best spotty style buys from River Island, Nobody’s Child and more

Polka dots are reigning supreme this summer, especially when it comes to occasionwear. The high street is full of spotty pieces right now, and we’re not complaining.

The Royal-approved polka dot print has been spotted on countless members of the family, including Princess Kate, the late Princess Diana, Zara Tindall and Princess Beatrice. And it’s not just the royals who love it, this trending print has been taking over 2025, with celebs like Amanda Holden and Rochelle Humes also sporting it.

If you want to hop on the trend yourself, we’ve found the very best polka dot fashion buys on the high street. From event-ready maxi dresses to versatile tops and tailored sets, check out our top picks from £19.

FRIENDS LIKE THESE

If you’ve been looking for the perfect top to complete your ‘jeans and a nice top’ oufit formula, this draped one from Friends Like These is just the one. Whether you’re keeping things casual with some denim jeans or dresssing it up with a silky black midi skirt, this is the kind of top you’ll be reaching for again and again, summer and autumn.

SHOP THE LOOK: Black Spot Draped Off The Shoulder Top, £35 here

FOREVER NEW

Although it is probably best to avoid a prominetly white dress if you’re attending a wedding, polka dot dresses are great occasionwear pieces for other events like the races, garden parties or even fancy dinners. This strapless one from Forever New looks so chic and even more expensive than the price tag. Simply chuck on a pair of strappy heels and some chunky earrings, and you’re good to go.

SHOP THE LOOK: Kimora Strapless Midi Dress, £120 here

RIVER ISLAND

If you’re a big fan of the print, why not go for a matching set or head-to-toe look? River Island always release the cutest tailored co-ord, adn this polka print one is no exception. Team it with monochromatic white and black accessories for a chic but fun look.

SHOP THE LOOK: Black Polka Frill Linen Tailored Top, £39 here, and Black Linen Blend Polka Dot Tailored Shorts, currently £19 here

NOBODY’S CHILD

One of the most viral dresses of the summer can from Nobody’s Child with this gorgeous ruched bandeau spotted midi. This versatile dress works for any occasion from sailing through the Amalfi coast to walking through the street of London or out for an evening with friends. An after selling out earlier this summer, it’s officially back in stock in all sizes.

EXCLUSIVE: TOWIE icon Gemma Collins has made a rare confession about being a stepmum as she gave a look into her life with fiance Rami Hawash and his son Tristan

Gemma Collins has revealed how she has adjusted to mum life as she insisted she “wouldn’t have it any other way”. The TOWIE icon, 44, is a proud step mum to her fiancé Rami Hawash’s son Tristan.

She first met Rami in 2011 and got engaged in 2013. They broke up shortly afterwards but eventually rekindled things during the coronavirus lockdown.

The pair are now engaged again and busy wedding planning, yet things have been put on hold as Gemma enjoys the summer holidays with her stepson. It comes after one TV star admitted she sleeps in separate bed to partner as she fumes over pregnancy.

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Gemma has been vocal about urging parents to embrace the school holidays and appreciate time with their little ones. Speaking to the Mirror, the reality TV star said: “I’ve been busy being a step mum, because obviously I’ve got Tristan now.

“I don’t overshare him too much on socials, because I respect his privacy but we’ve had him, so that’s been lovely. We’ve been just doing family, normal, kiddy, friendly [things].”

She confessed: “I spent more time in [children’s trampoline park] Jump Street than I’ve had hot dinners. I’ve been on the PlayStation, you name it, I been doing it.

“Parks, doggy walks, I just been being a step mum to be honest. I wish I could say to you, I’m sat in Mykonos drinking a Pina Colada, but I’m not. I have been being stepmother duties but I wouldn’t have it any other way. I’ve loved it.”

When asked if she has been enjoying the six week holidays, Gemma added: “I really do and time is so precious. Tristan’s been in my life since he was three, he’s nearly eight-years-old now.

“These summer moments are so precious they come and go so quick. It’s all about just stop rushing around so much and take a little bit of time in the summer.”

Last year, Gemma urged mums to “embrace their children” as she opened up on her own fertility struggles. She has previously been candid about her wishes to have children as she’s heartbreakingly had several miscarriages and was once advised to terminate a pregnancy of an intersex baby.

Gemma told her followers at the time: “I’m loving this faze of my life having time to be the best version of me embrace your children this half term don’t moan enjoy it remember there’s always someone who doesn’t have what you got let children be children.”

She still stand by her message as she told us: “I think it’s a liberty really, if you’ve got that attitude, don’t have kids. They’re special humans and I get the daily stresses and life, we’ve all got it.

“Even me sometimes, I think ‘oh god how am I gonna make it till nine o’clock tonight’, when you’re busy with the kids. But you just do, you find the way, you dig deep.

“They give you so much pleasure, so I’ve had lots of fun.” Gemma added: “It is a lot for the parents, there is a lots to do and to keep the kids entertained. But go back to basics, put a picnic on, go to the park, get some games and just embrace the nature and the outdoors. They don’t need to be going to all these fancy days out.”

Gemma has partnered with Sky as she takes on the task of oversharing. She teased her fans by revealing she was going to get married on ice, in a nod to her viral time on Dancing On Ice.

She admitted: “I’ve always been an oversharer. I love to spill the coffee. I just think everyone’s just not been saying much and keeping it in.

“Everyone loved it. It was like they were getting the tea, they were just getting the scoop. It’s gonna be so much of fun when people finally realise that I’m not getting married on ice.”

Sky Mobile Oversharing Ambassador Gemma Collins encourages the nation to share more as Sky Mobile lets you share unused data with friends and family on your plan

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Brooklyn Beckham and his wife Nicola Peltz’s lifestyle could not be further away from reality so here we take a look at how they fill their days as ‘nepo babies’

The term “nepo babies” has been thrown around a lot over the last few years regarding the off-spring of celebrities. And when faced with the question of whether they believe that they fit the mould of a “nepo baby”, many are quick to insist that they have carved out their own careers through hard work.

And while Brooklyn Beckham, 26 and his wife Nicola Peltz, 30, have attempted to carve out their own careers (with Victoria and David’s son dipping his toe into photography, football, modelling and cooking – to name a few), they haven’t quite been able to shake off the nepo baby label.

This comes after David Beckham spoke ‘as a father’ in ‘family’ announcement after Brooklyn’s latest snub.

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Their association with the term isn’t perhaps helped as they fill their day with mundane tasks which include shopping trips, posting kissing selfies on Instagram and Brooklyn’s cooking vlogs.

In a recent post, Brooklyn shared with fans that he was tasked with accompanying his wife on yet another shopping trip.

Taking to the social media platform, he told his followers: “Me waiting for my Mrs to try on clothes ha.”

The couple have been at the forefront of attention over recent months after it appeared that a fall out within the family had occurred.

And it does not seem as though the hatchet will be buried any time soon as Brooklyn, who appears estranged from his parents and siblings, failed t6o turn up to any of his dad’s 50th birthday celebrations, among many other family occasions.

David and Victoria Beckham have remained tight-lipped over the heart-breaking situation, while Brooklyn’s brothers, Cruz and Romeo have reportedly unfollowed the pair.

According to the Mail Plus, despite brand collaborations, Brooklyn and Nicola are happy to glorify their privileged lifestyle.

A source reportedly said: “They don’t have proper day jobs. Instead, they just post on Instagram and show off. It’s all so ghastly, it’s like, ‘Look at us, we have so much money’- without actually earning it.”

They added: “David and Victoria have worked extremely hard to get what they have and they did their very best to instil that into their children, let’s not forget that Brooklyn used to have a job in a café when he turned 14 – but then Nicola came along.”

The source continued: “She comes from a different family culture entirely, she just had money thrown at her. Sadly, that seems to have infected Brooklyn.”

Over the years Brooklyn has shown an interest in a variety of careers, one of which was following in his father’s footsteps as a footballer.

But he soon found a passion for photography and now most recently, his love of cooking and sharing his talent on social media has become his main focus.

Meanwhile Nicola, 30, had starred in Transformers which was a blockbuster hit at the time and had also penned, directed and starred in her own film Lola. However, critics were not best pleased with the production.

Brooklyn’s apparent “nepo baby” lifestyle is a far cry from the values his parents instilled in him as a child, if Victoria’s past interviews are anything to go by.

In an interview she once said: “They won’t be these children that stay at home and don’t do anything. They will definitely work.”

Victoria was in one of the most successful girl groups in the world. As a Spice Girl, she was known as Posh Spice.

Since the group disbanded in 2001 following Geri Horner’s departure a little earlier, Victoria not only tried to carve out a solo career but went on to launch a globally respected fashion house.

David was an international footballer and was hailed as one of the greatest. He now owns his own club in Miami.

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Meghan Markle has been accused of copying her sister-in-law Kate Middleton after making a big announcement about her and Harry’s plans for their future

Meghan Markle is facing fresh accusations she’s “copying” her sister-in-law, the Princess of Wales, following their new TV deal with Netflix. The Duke of Sussex, 40, and the Duchess of Sussex, 44, announced a new “first-look” deal last week with the US streaming giant. As well as putting Meghan under fresh scrutiny, experts tell the Mirror that the details are clearly a “reality check” for the couple.

The deal includes a new festive edition of Meghan’s With Love show, where viewers can “join Meghan in Montecito for a magical holiday celebration”. It didn’t take long for some royal watchers to accuse Meghan of trying to steal the festive limelight from Kate, 43, who hosts her own annual Christmas event.

Kinsey Schofield, a podcaster and royal expert in the US, believes, however, that the Sussexes have shown a “pattern of choosing moments” that risk overshadowing other royal occasions – and Christmas might be no exception. “It’s become so noticeable it was reported recently that Harry had offered to share his schedule with the family as an ‘olive branch’ to avoid competing in the future,” she says. It comes as Royal couple secretly welcome second baby and reveal tot’s adorable name.

READ MORE: David Beckham speaks ‘as a father’ in ‘family’ announcement after latest Brooklyn snubREAD MORE: Holly Willoughby lets her hair down in white swimsuit on sun soaked holiday

Earlier this year, Harry was accused of “stealing the limelight” from his father and stepmother when he arrived at the Royal Courts of Justice in London just before King Charles and Queen Camilla began their state visit to Italy, which also coincided with their 20th wedding anniversary.

The release of the paperback edition of his explosive memoir Spare also hit the headlines worldwide – just as the King and Queen were touring Australia. Back in 2020, Meghan’s team came under fire after a stream of two-week-old photos were published on her Instagram account on the same day as Kate embarked on a UK tour.

And when Harry and Meghan dropped their so-called “Megxit” bombshell on the eve of Kate’s 38th birthday, they were accused of “overshadowing”. But when it comes to their festive plans, Kinsey suspects that Meghan is unlikely to successfully emulate Kate’s feel-good celebration.

The mum-of-three hosts an annual Christmas service at Westminster Abbey, an event which has become one of the biggest and most poignant in the family’s festive calendar.

Kinsey, who hosts the To Di For Daily podcast, doubts that Meghan’s show will hit the same notes, saying, “Catherine’s carol concert is about unity, love, and hope. Kinsey adds. “She arrives with her family, with a sense of togetherness and faith.

“In contrast, Meghan’s Christmas special feels more like a branding opportunity. She’s timed product launches from her lifestyle line, As Ever, to coincide with the release.

“Without the warmth of family or shared tradition, it plays less as a holiday celebration and more as a commercial venture. When placed side by side, Catherine’s feels authentic and meaningful, while Meghan’s risks seeming transactional.”

The Sussexes’ latest TV news comes five years after they signed a deal with Netflix said to be worth upwards of $100m (£74m), shortly after turning their backs on their life as senior working royals.

Their new arrangement – described as a “multi-year, first-look deal” – means Netflix will pay for the right to get first dibs on the couple’s work, but isn’t committed to taking it.

Dermot McNamara, a talent manager and PR crisis expert, believes the difference in terms sends out a strong message. “It’s not necessarily a humiliation, but it is a reality check for Meghan and Harry and also a reflection of the ever-changing entertainment world,” he tells us.

“Every network and streamers’ belts are tightening. Netflix wants to see sharper ideas and stronger delivery before committing to mega-budgets again. The upside is that this could help Meghan and Harry define what they actually stand for, creatively.”

The pair’s productions so far, including Harry’s polo documentary and Meghan’s With Love series, weren’t exactly record-breaking successes, with the latter failing to crack Netflix’s list of the 300 most-streamed shows of the year so far.

Dermot also suggests that while Meghan won’t take kindly to the “copying” comments, she will have been fully aware that comparisons would inevitably be made.

“Every broadcaster, charity and celebrity under the sun produces holiday specials. It’s a warm, family-friendly format that audiences respond to. That said, Meghan knows the optics. Wanting to be seen in the same aspirational light as Kate isn’t the worst strategy, but Meghan’s challenge is to make it feel authentic to her own brand, not a re-skin of someone else’s.”

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Former Gardeners’ World presenter Alan Titchmarsh has shared a painful admission about separation as he opened up about his family in a brutally honest confession

TV presenter Alan Titchmarsh has confessed that “it’s pathetic” whilst delivering a poignant update regarding the distance he experiences from his two adult daughters.

In an emotional disclosure made earlier this year, the cherished former Gardeners’ World presenter shared a family revelation concerning a memorable quote from a beloved children’s movie, which allegedly triggers a deeply moving reaction within him.

Alan, who shares two grown-up daughters, Polly and Camilla, with wife Alison, explained how the “Daddy, my daddy” quote from The Railway Children resonates profoundly with the TV gardener.

His comments indicated that the movie brings forth memories of his children, and in a tender acknowledgement, he admitted that he must actually “leave the room” whenever they screen the legendary film.

The Ground Force icon severely criticised his own response to the movie as “pathetic” before outlining his present family circumstances, reports Wales Online.

Nevertheless, one element has clearly remained constant since the gardener’s daughters’ younger years.

Alan revealed to the Times: “It’s pathetic, really. I’m a grown man and I have to leave the room if my girls put The Railway Children on.

“They’ve got their own houses now, their own husbands, their own children – the oldest is 13 and the youngest is 9. But their rooms are still here and they’ve still got their names on the door.”

In separate developments, Alan had previously revealed the “heartbreaking” question that he received from his daughter when he kissed her goodnight. It emerged during his appearance on James O’Brien’s Full Disclosure podcast in 2023, where he revealed that his career previously demanded lengthy periods away from the family home.

He explained: “I would go away on a Sunday evening and come back later in the weekend. I do remember the heartbreaking thing of kissing one of them goodnight and them saying ‘will you be here in the morning?'”

Alan, whose extensive broadcasting career has spanned programmes including Gardeners’ World and Songs of Praise, has been wed to his spouse for five decades, having initially encountered her during their twenties at an amateur dramatics society.

Previously discussing his partnership, Alan maintained that romance centres on being “thoughtful”, disclosing that he’d prepared Alison tea for an incredible 45 years.

Nevertheless, he acknowledged that, reciprocally, his wife has pressed his shirts “every week for 44 years”, something he characterised as the “greater gift”. He remarked that he’s “lucky” owing to her being the “most unmaterialistic” individual he knows.

According to Hello!, the broadcaster has called the retired medic his “best friend”, and they currently divide their time between their Hampshire farmhouse or getaway residence on the Isle of Wight.

Polly represents the pair’s eldest daughter, born in 1980, whilst Camilla arrived in 1982. Grandfather Alan disclosed to The Mirror in 2020 that they resided nearby but were unable to visit them for months owing to lockdown restrictions at the time.