Polka Dot Mugs

Where did the term Polka Dot come from?  One of the earliest mentions of “Polka Dots” was in 1873 in Godey’s magazine.   The leading theory is that the Polka was a very popular dance at the time and polka dots were a popular fashion trend at the time.  Presumably people wore clothes with polka dots to polka dances and the two became connected.  The polka dance craze faded, but polka dots (and the name) remained.

Although polka dots have never faded completely away, there have been a few revivals.  In 1928, Minnie Mouse appeared and polka dots again became popular (due to this resurgence, some people thought that Walt Disney invented the polka dot – or at least the term).  In 1961 the hit song “Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini” was released and polka dots were suddenly fashionable again.

Nearly any item can be found covered with bright and festive polka dots these days, from clothing to sheets to cell phone cases to mugs.  Admittedly, decorating completely in polka dots can be a bit much, but a few touches here and there can add a bit of fun and color to a room.

This is a great sixteen ounce travel mug. It has a bright and colorful polka dot design, but is also a lightweight thermal travel mug that will keep your coffee warm for up to two hours. Thermal mugs use a double wall construction and a lid to reduce heat loss and keep beverages warm for longer periods of time. This mug also features a 360 degree drip proof sipping lid and a rubberized slip resistant bottom to help prevent spills. It will also fit most car cup holders, so it’s great when you’re on the go!

This is a cute little set of six polka dot mugs, each a different color (green, pink, yellow, orange, blue and purple).  With these mugs, you can serve coffee to your friends stylishly and not have to worry about mixing up the cups!  The six mugs are made of high quality porcelain, hold nine ounces of coffee, and come in a satin lined box (great for a gift)! However, they are not microwave safe and should be hand washed only.  The cups are cute enough on their own, but if you want to go all out with your polka dot mug set, Yedi also offers a set of matching white dots dessert plates (six in a set) and a variety of matching 20 ounce tea pots!

Here’s another fun set of polka dot mugs!  These are not quite as formal as the preceding Yedi set, but are great set of three bright and cheerful mugs that would look great in any kitchen or dining room.  The tall porcelain mugs are in three different colors (lime green, spring lilac and robin’s egg blue) and hold 14 ounces of coffee.  Even better the mugs are both dishwasher and microwave safe!  If you’re looking for a nice set of informal coffee mugs that can be used (and easily cleaned!) on a daily basis, these mugs may be what you’re looking for.

These eleven ounce mugs from Signature Housewares are a bit more subdued in their design than the previous mugs, but not every polka dot mug has to be over the top festive!  These mugs are made of 100% lead free stoneware and are safe for use in the microwave, oven and dishwasher.  They come in a variety of colors including red, turquoise, green, orange and black (the black one could almost be used as a formal coffee mug).  They are sold separately, so you can buy one if you just need one, or make a custom set if you like.  In addition to the mugs, Signature Housewares also sells a three piece bowl set, a six piece plate set and a serving bowl in the same designs.

Another nice set of polka dot mugs from Yedi Houseware!  These eleven ounce mugs are made of high quality porcelain and designed to look similar to the standard coffee house “to go” cups.  They have a sealing lid that helps prevent spills and keep your coffee or tea warm for a bit longer (although they do not have double walled insulation).  These mugs are also both microwave and dishwasher safe, so they’re easy to use and clean.  They are available in a variety of colors including purple, orange, cherry red, pink, turquoise, yellow and lime green.

If you’re looking for a thermal mug, with polka dots or otherwise, visit The Thermal Mug to see even more mugs. A good thermal mug can keep your coffee or tea warm for hours and is definitely a good investment, especially if you are a commuter – you can save quite a bit by arriving at work with a hot cup of coffee instead of having to visit the local coffee ship. There are even electric thermal mugs that plug into your car’s 12 volt outlet and actually heat your coffee as you drive!