In December 2011, Kirsten Dunst was in attendance at The Hollywood Reporter’s Annual “Power 100: Women In Entertainment Breakfast” at The Beverly Hills Hotel in LA.
Kirsten Dunst wore a classic Burberry trench coat as a dress at the Hollywood Reporter’s Annual Power 100: Women In Entertainment Breakfast held at the Beverly Hills Hotel in Los Angeles on December 7, 2011 (Credit: WENN / FayesVision / Dan Jackman)
A Closer Look at Kirsten’s Chic Ensemble
As the event was about power, the commanding Burberry navy trench coat Kirsten Dunst chose to wear to breakfast couldn’t be more fitting.
Kirsten Dunst added a Chanel quilted clutch and black satin pumps to complete her look
It’s simple, sleek, and streamlined, letting Kirsten Dunst wear it instead of the other way around. Kirsten added a few feminine touches with her Chanel purse, Nicholas Kirkwood floral satin pumps, and light makeup with pink tones.
Selena Gomez’s Take on the Trench Coat Trend
Selena Gomez also wore a trench coat as a dress for an appearance on The Late Show with David Letterman.
Selena Gomez wears a trench coat as a dress outside the Ed Sullivan Theater for the Late Show with David Letterman in New York City on April 24, 2013 (Credit: WENN / FayesVision / Dan Jackman)
Why the Trench Coat Dress Trend Works
Like the tuxedo dress, a trench coat dress is one of those styles we’ve always wanted to try. It has an air of mystery to it and gives off a sexy siren vibe without having to expose a lot of skin.
But there are caveats to wearing a coat as a dress, and one of the biggest is how to wear it without looking like you’re about to flash someone.
Tips for Wearing a Trench Coat as a Dress
Taking our cue from Kirsten Dunst above, here are tips on how to wear a trench coat as a dress the decent and proper way:
1. Pick a Knee-Length Trench Coat
The most obvious way to pass off a trench coat as a dress is to choose a knee-length one.
The KNEE length is key: it provides the right amount of coverage while still looking like a proper dress (anything too short or too long won’t work!).
Choose a double-breasted style or one with buttons down to the hem to ensure you’re fully covered. Of course, you can still wear something underneath, but make sure nothing has a longer hem than your trench dress so it remains your ensemble’s focal point.
2. Choose a Trench Coat with a Skirt as its Bottom
If you’re worried a trench coat will look too much like outerwear when worn as a dress, choose one with a skirt. That’ll give you the dress silhouette we’re aiming for here. Plenty of trench coats come in this style now.
3. Shop for an Actual Dress Designed as a Trench Coat
If all else fails, you can shop for and wear a trench dress. There are many trench coat-inspired dresses. It still looks like a trench coat but works like a dress. But you can most likely wear it as a coat, too—any article of clothing we can get more than one use out of is a deal to us!
For more inspiration on styling trench coats and dresses, explore our articles on Lindsay Lohan’s sheer trench dress look and the versatility of leather trench coats. These pieces offer fresh ways to incorporate trench coats into your wardrobe, whether for a bold statement or timeless style.