A short trench coat is a type of jacket which can make a big difference to an outfit without making you appear overdressed; it has the structured form of a traditional trench but, because of its shorter length, it is easier to wear with jeans, trousers, skirts and dresses and it also suits itself well in transitional weather when a heavy coat would seem like too much.
The advantage is that you don’t need to wear a complicated outfit under your clothes; a short trench coat can make a simple top with jeans appear more put together and at the same time can balance a more feminine dress or skirt.
Short Trench Coat With Straight-Leg Jeans
Straight-leg jeans go well with a short trench coat since the overall look is balanced. Wear medium-wash straight-leg jeans with a white or cream T-shirt and a beige trench.
Loafers, ballet flats or simple ankle boots should be chosen according to the season, and a structured handbag can give the outfit a slightly more refined appearance without making it feel formal.
To create a darker look, wear black jeans with a black top underneath and attach a tan trench coat. The contrast will make the outfit interesting without making it difficult to wear.
Short Trench Coat With Wide-Leg Pants
The wide-leg pants give the short trench coat a more modern appearance since the jacket ends at the waist or upper hip and thus prevents the wider trousers from dominating the overall look.
Wear black tailored trousers with a fitted knit top and a cropped beige trench; pointed-toe flats or low heels will give the outfit a bit more structure.
You can likewise pair wide-leg denim with a shirt that is tucked in and a short trench. This combination has a relaxed feel yet still appears purposeful.
Short Trench Coat With a Mini Skirt
A mini skirt looks particularly well with a short trench coat since both items have a short cut and a simple sweater, a fitted top or a button-down shirt can be worn to complete the look.
To stay warm in cooler weather you should wear tights with knee-high boots, and a neutral-coloured trench goes well with black, brown, grey or burgundy skirts.
Make the rest of the outfit quite simple so that the coat and skirt can stay the principal items.
Short Trench Coat With a Midi Skirt
The different appearance is due to the contrast between the short jacket and the longer hemline. The combination goes well with pleated, satin, denim or straight midi skirts.
Wear a fitted sweater with a satin midi skirt and a short trench coat. For cooler days you can choose ankle boots, whereas in spring flats will make the look feel lighter.
A cropped trench goes well with a denim midi skirt and a simple T-shirt; it’s helpful to attach a belt or carry a structured bag for a bit more definition.
Short Trench Coat With Black Pants
Black pants are one of the easiest choices when it comes to styling a trench coat since they provide a neat backdrop that makes the jacket stand out.
Pair black straight-leg pants with a white shirt and a classic tan trench; if you want a more relaxed look, then replace the shirt with a fitted T-shirt and add some sneakers.
A black short trench paired with black pants forms a monochromatic background, and a cream sweater or a light-coloured handbag can be added to counteract the darker tones.
Short Trench Coat With a White Shirt
A white shirt makes a short trench coat appear neat and straightforward. Since this outfit goes well with jeans, trousers and skirts, you can change the lower part of your clothing according to where you’re going.
Wear a large white shirt with it tucked in part way into straight-leg jeans and add a short trench coat with loafers to create a loose look.
If you want a more structured look, then wear a fitted white button-down shirt with tailored trousers and a belted trench.
Short Trench Coat With a Sweater
It is useful to wear a sweater with a short trench coat when the weather is cool and changing. In this case, select a sweater that is fairly light in weight so that the jacket does not appear bulky.
Classic beige trench coats go well with cream, grey, brown and black sweaters. For a regular kind of look, combine the outfit with jeans and ankle boots.
A striped sweater can just as well introduce some visual interest without making the outfit become complicated.
Short Trench Coat With a Dress
A short trench coat can be worn with both casual and more dressy dresses, since its shorter length keeps the shape of the dress visible rather than covering the whole outfit.
Wear a simple knit dress with ankle boots and a belted trench; a floral midi dress can likewise be paired with a short trench in spring or early fall.
If you want a more casual look, then pair a cotton T-shirt dress with sneakers and leave the trench coat unbuttoned.
Short Trench Coat With Sneakers
Sneakers give the classic trench coat a much more casual look and this combination works well when running errands, attending casual lunches or on those days when you want to appear put together without wearing dress shoes.
Pair a short beige trench with straight-leg blue jeans, a simple top and white sneakers. Alternatively, you might choose black jeans with retro-style sneakers to get a more substantial appearance.
Stick to simple accessories by choosing a crossbody bag or a shoulder bag.
Short Trench Coat With Loafers
Wearing loafers gives a short trench coat a neat appearance without making the overall look seem too formal and they can be paired with tailored trousers, jeans or a midi skirt.
A simple combination of a beige trench coat, black loafers, black trousers and a knit top is suitable for the office or a smart-casual situation.
If you’d like a more relaxed look, then wear blue jeans, a white T-shirt, loafers and a trench coat left open.
How to Style a Short Trench Coat in Different Seasons
A short trench coat is suitable to be worn in the spring when paired with light tops, jeans, skirts and ballet flats; neutral tones like beige, stone and cream help to keep the look fresh.
In the autumn season you should opt for knit sweaters, darker denim, boots and more intense colours like chocolate brown, burgundy or olive; additionally, a scarf can provide warmth without altering the basic outfit.
On milder winter days a short trench can be worn as a layer over a sweater. It does not take the place of a warm winter coat, but can be useful when the temperature is moderate.
Short Trench Coat Outfit Ideas to Try
With the short trench coat you have plenty of opportunities to try out different combinations since it goes well with both casual and more formal types of clothing. Begin by using items that you already have in your wardrobe, for example jeans, black pants, sweaters, shirts and simple dresses.
A beige trench coat is the simplest option, but those in black, navy, olive and brown can give your outfits a different atmosphere. The shorter length also makes it easier to display the rest of your outfit, which is one of the reasons why this style has become such a useful alternative to the traditional long trench coat.
