Brown is going to rule this fall, here’s how to wear it

Just as gray outfits (or “grout suits,” as TikTok predictably called them) have reigned supreme for the past few months, fall is set to introduce another surprising neutral shade: brown. Seen on the fall/winter 2023 runways (from Prada to The Row), this color can be called coffee or chocolate brown. It’s a great addition to your wardrobe thanks to its versatility and simplicity of style.

We saw a lot of brown on the AW23 runways. At 16Arlington, not only was the runway floor covered in coffee grounds, but color dominated the collection. We saw brown leather coats and boots, as well as brown sequined minidresses, proving that this shade doesn’t have to be worn for daytime. At Brandon Maxwell, brown leather dresses and separates were featured alongside cozy snowsuits and an elegant taupe brown dress. Highly coveted brown leather jackets appeared on the Saint Laurent runway, while chocolate brown ones appeared on Fendi pleated skirts, dresses and trousers. We’ve seen brown suede at Prada, Gucci has gone all out on the skirt with its signature brown monogram, and Jacquemus has given some of its signature bodycon evening dresses and corset tops a coffee twist.

Of course, the street look quickly followed suit, with names like Hailey Bieber, Kendall Jenner and Jessica Chastain already making it work on the red carpet. But what exactly is behind fashion’s new craze for brown?

“I think it ties into the ‘essentials’ trend we’ve seen on the runways over the last couple of seasons,” explains Libby Page, chief marketing officer at Net-a-Porter. “We are seeing increased customer interest in essentials with an element of ease of wear. It’s been nice to see relaxed casual clothing that can be paired with different pieces in our wardrobes throughout the year, and therefore an increase in beige, white, black or brown looks.”

Neutral shades fit perfectly into the concept of quiet luxury – they are understated, elegant and a great investment because they are easier to style than something bright and bold. “With a variety of more neutral tones, there is a sense of understated luxury,” agrees Liana Wiggins, head of womenswear at Matches Fashion. “I love the tonal look and the neutral look from head to toe.”

“They’re definitely connected,” says Heather Gramston, senior buying executive at Browns, of quiet luxury and the arrival of earthy browns on the runway. “As designers use neutral colors, texture also becomes very important, as we saw with brown suede bags and shoes – brown suede accessories from Bottega Veneta and Celine’s ruched knee-high boots in chocolate brown suede.”

What also makes brown perhaps more attractive than other neutral colors is that not only is it easy to pair with other colors, but it is also very flattering, offering a much softer and less harsh alternative to black.

“Brown complements all skin tones, is surprisingly easy to style, and can be seen as a neutral base for layering other colors and prints, or worn head-to-toe, layering different textures together,” says Page.

Want to try brown? We recommend investing in capsule classics: brown leather jumpsuits are a great fall investment (as Emily Ratajkowski showed off last week), brown tailoring is a smart update to your workwear wardrobe, and brown leather or suede accessories are a great option. no brainer. And don’t forget your holiday clothes.

“When it comes to styling brown pieces, there are no hard and fast rules as they can change with seasons and trends, but I like to layer different shades of brown for an effortlessly chic look,” says Page about how to best wear this color. “Accessories like gold watches and jewelry go well with all shades of brown and will complement your look.”

With brown also dominating the spring/summer 2024 runways (it was seen at Tom Ford, Ferragamo, Saint Laurent, Louis Vuitton and Loewe, to name a few), this neutral shade will be much more than just a one-hit wonder season. .