Connect the dots

Jan. 15-31 is the shopping dead zone. Shelves are picked clean, racks are sparsely filled. Retailers are focused on taking inventory and waiting on spring arrivals. Sure, there are plenty of sales out there, but if you're looking for something new, fresh and spring-y, where do you go?

I went to Nordstrom, my standby shopping perk-me-up. In every department I saw spots: shoes, purses, tops and lingerie all covered with polka dots. It was such a cheery sight I forgot all about the ice outside and my New Year's resolution to go one month without buying something new. A popular pattern in the '40s, polka dots are back with a vengeance this spring, especially white dots on black, red or navy backgrounds.

At Nordstrom it's hard to miss the screaming-red polka-dot patent leather pumps from Linea Paulo in the women's shoe department ($94.95). They have them in black patent leather, too. In the lingerie department you'll find a sweet red cami ($42) and shorts ($29) from PJ Salvage with off-white polka dots trimmed in matching lace. A fabric satchel-style handbag from Laundry by Shelli Segal ($168) in red with white polka dots is ultra-ladylike. It's embellished with shiny faux leather, ruffled edges and flowers. While technically not polka-dotted, I found a cuff watch from Michael Kors ($120) in a pretty caramel color leather dotted with stainless steel studs. Luckily, I forgot my watch and had to buy it. There's always next month to keep my New Year's resolution.

Copyright © The Seattle Times Company