>>14296176 lb
In Shakespeare’s Othello, Desdemona’s spotted handkerchief leads to tragedy in the play. Dots weren’t the only taboo patterned fabric, however.
Stripes also had negative connotations, and were considered the pattern of outcasts.
In 1856, Godey's Lady's Book of Philadelphia published this on page 572 of Volume 53.
Children under three, whether girls or boys, have
much the same dress and cloak materials. These are Lupin's merinos, which many people think economical
in the end, as they can be turned or dyed. They are in every shade and variety of color. Crimsons, scarlets, maroon, purple, and blue, amo.ig the darker shades, are most worn for children ; among the lighter hues, pink,
rose-color, apple-green, pale-blue, and maize, or corncolor. Plain cashmeres in the same shades are a little lighter and finer, but cannot be turned; and mousselines de laine, all wool, are well suited to the transition periods between cold and warm weather. There are
also mousselines with a mixture of cotton, costing onehalf less,in polka spots or pretty chintz figures, which
look extremely well, and wear nearly as long. For real use we recommend the plaid cashmeres, some of them
being almost as handsome as poplins in the deepest and
richest or the most delicate shades. Those alternating
with checks of white or black are the most striking.
They wash like chintz, and always have a bright, clear
look. The plaid flannels for outside coats and cloaks
look much the same, but are heavier and more durable. They are the favorite material for that purpose, and are usually trimmed with rows of velvet ribbon or galloon,
either silk or worsted, of the prevailing color.
Chintz was cotton painted or dyed with repeating patterns like this example. Of course, Polka Spots was just a very simply such pattern
https://ia800505.us.archive.org/20/items/godey1856/godey1856.pdf
Just a year later in 1857, the same magazine referred topolka dotson a muslin scarf. Perhaps the size of the markings determined the name. A muslin scarf might have reminded the writer of dotted tulle fabric like this example.
Do read the PDF that I linked. You will note that the media steering of society was alive and well in the 1850s. Those of you who understand the workings of the fashion industry globally, know that it is a vast coordinated commercial machine that each season, chooses certain colors, fabrics, styles and so forth, and then the fashion designers take the palette given to them by manufacturers and apply some creativity. On a larger scale, one can see how designers in separated countries seem to be like shepherds herding their flocks in similar directions.
The first famous polka dot bathing suit
And the itsy bitsy teeny weeny yellow polka dot bikini
This 1931 Warner Bros Foxie character is a blatant Mickey Mouse knockoff. A female Hippo has a polka dot skirt and a cow hides her udder with a polka dot cloth. Foxie's love interest wears a plain white skirt.
Smile, Darn Ya, Smile
https://youtu.be/IlrdvzVuqNA
In Disney's Steamboat Willie, Minnie Mouse also wears a plain white skirt in the movie but the opening card shows her in polka dots, and Mickey in stripes.
Max Fleischer's sexy little Betty Boop does not wear polka dots but somehow, the modern revival of her for merchandising always features her with polka dots, often identical to Minnie Mouse dresses.
The Scandalous Story Behind The REAL Betty Boop Will Blow You Away
https://littlethings.com/lifestyle/real-betty-boop-baby-esther
Here is the only recording of Esther Jones that was used in a trial to prove that she was the real source of Betty Boop.
And here is Baby Esther, age 10, also wearing a polka dot dress. She had been performing at the Cotton Club in New York since the age of 9.
This is the kind of info that you can find if you take the time to dig and not just Google search either, but be persistent, and get creative in finding info. Don't give up to easy, and when you do take a break, be sure to come back in a week or a month because you will likely find more.
And for all you hepcats
Who want to be groovin'
To some negro music
I have a treat for you