Trend Alert: The Coat Dress

Trend alert, people: the coat dress is having a serious moment. My attention was first drawn to the style on The Mindy Project a couple of weeks ago, when Dr. L wore a pink version to lunch with Danny's mom. Since then, I've taken notice to the trend popping up on some of our favorite (non-fictional) fashion-forward celebrities — J. Law even wore one to tonight's premiere of Serena at the London Film Festival.

I will admit, I'm not sure I'm entirely sold on this trend, at least not on me. I can't see myself wearing a coat without a dress on under it — for that matter, I can't see myself wearing a dress without a coat on over it when it gets chilly enough to actually wear a coat dress in the first place. This is a pretty hard trend to nail, after all, because you walk a very fine line between classic and demure. The right waist, the right hem length, the right neckline...there are quite a few factors in the style of the that can make or break the ensemble.

However, it's no surprise that these ladies make the trend look fierce, chic, and ladylike at the same time. They make me almost want to go out and buy my very own coat dress. Almost. I'm getting there.

Mindy Lahiri

Yes, Mindy Lahiri is a fictional character, but Mindy Kaling is not, and it's well-known that she has the biggest say in Dr. L's wardrobe. So good work, Kaling. By the way, guys, if there's a lesson to be learned from that scene, it's that you should always make sure a coat actually is a coat before you take it off for us. We appreciate the gesture, though. (Sorry for the confusion.)

Jennifer Lawrence

Sure, this is a tuxedo dress, but I'm pretty sure this still falls in the "coat dress" category. J. Law stunned this evening at the London Film Festival premier of her new movie Serena, and she proved that a plunging neckline and a short hemline can peacefully coincide.

Olivia Palermo

Is a trend really a trend if Olivia Palermo hasn't worn it? Palermo attended Valentino's Paris Fashion Week show in a daringly short green coat dress, and as always, she looked unbelievably chic.

Emma Watson

Emma Watson wore a Dior coat dress on the evening of her now-famous speech at the launch of the UN's HeForShe campaign, and she looked every bit as intelligent as she sounded.

Kate Middleton

Finally, the queen — well, duchess — of the coat dress. K. Midds has worn many an elegant coat dress, but I think this one might be my favorite. (What can I say, I'm a fan of the groutfit. AKA the gray outfit.)

Images: Getty Images, FOX, Twitter/@Seamsolincoln, @djkellieacreman