As the weather gradually moves into warmer territory, spring fashion becomes more and more outdated and out-of-season, and the trends work rapid-fire to evolve and suit the sunshine-y weather at hand. While lightweight trenches and professional-chic shirt dresses have ruled the preppy looks for the past couple of cooler spring months, it’s about time for some summer adaptations to bring the trends to a whole new level of stylishness that’s both comfortable, tailored, and impeccably put-together. The trench-inspired shirt dress combines that same cinched and belted, timeless look of your favorite trench coat, but in a more summer-appropriate silhouette. The result is a sleek, chic button-up dress that’s sophisticated enough for the office, but not too stuffy for a more casual day out on the town. The look is a bit “safari fabulous,” but can be edged up with a statement-making belt or glitzier accessories to balance the neutral palette and keep it from looking too costume-y!


From left to right: Forever 21 Trench Coat Dress with Belt, MICHAEL Michael Kors Belted Cotton Shirt Dress, J. Crew Josephine Cotton Trench Dress, and Nicole Miller Trench Dress.