When the term trench coat comes to mind, I naturally think of my go-to jacket for rainy days or the beautifully captured kiss in the rain from Audrey Hepburn’s classic film, Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Summertime is one of the last words I associated with trench coats until recently. I spotted a University of Kansas Fashionista donning a modern version of the timeless trench coat on campus that I instantly fell in love with. Unlike the original silhouette, her trench coat had no sleeves, making it a trench vest. It still had the clean structure and shape of a trench coat, but her version was completely fashion-forward and appropriate for hot and humid weather. She layered her neutral vest over a creamy silk dress and threw on a floral pastel scarf, cream loafers and oversized aviators for an ultra chic look. Not to mention, she carried around her unbelievably adorable Dachshund puppy, which generated even more attention from people on campus. Despite this Fashionista’s irresistible accessory in hand, her fashion-forward ensemble had quite the head-turning effect on its own!
To have the same effect as this easygoing trendsetter, start by investing in a trench vest similar to hers. I recently bought this vest from Forever 21 and have been layering it over almost everything. For a daytime look, I combine this vest with a pair of boyfriend jeans, a simple white tank top and some edgy jewelry for a fun and laid back outfit. As for my internship, I wear my vest over white slacks and a black tank top for a casual yet professional look. Also, as the picture demonstrates, a puppy goes amazing with this vest too.