One of my favorite color combos for fall is brown and black, and if you’ve been on Instagram or TikTok recently, you’ve probably seen this neutral color combo a lot this fall and winter. Yet every time I suggest it, I get asked if you can actually wear the two neutrals together. It seems somewhere along the way someone said brown and black could not be worn together — probably the same people who made up the dated rule no white after Labor Day. Well, I’m here to say, forget the old color rule that you can’t wear brown and black together. Like white after Labor Day, it’s basically a fashion urban legend at this point. When you wear brown and black together, the brown lends all-black an earthy-chic feel that’s perfect for fall, and winter for that matter. In fact, this color combo is one of my favorites for the season, and I’ve outlined how to wear brown and black together to make it super simple.
I’m a huge fan of neutrals for fall, and I love how brown and black is a chic way to channel the season without looking cheesy. It’s earthy but elegant. Wearing brown and black together can create a stylish and sophisticated look — and it’s actually very versatile. This neutral pairing works if you’re going casual with black jeans or leggings and a brown sweater, or for the office with a brown silk skirt and black oversized blazer or cashmere sweater or a brown and black printed dress. It’s also a great way to make a brown or black coat work a million ways.
Here are some tips for how to wear brown and black together:
Stick to Neuturals: When pairing brown and black, avoid adding in a bunch of other bright colors. Keep it streamlined with just neutrals — a touch of ivory or white to break it up, for example.
Play with Texture: When wearing brown and black together, I love working in different textures. For example, you could pair suede and cashmere or denim and fur to add interest to the neutral pairing.
Balance the Colors: Make sure there’s a balanced distribution of brown and black in your outfit. You can achieve this by wearing one dominant color and the other as an accent. For example, you could wear a black dress with brown shoes and a brown belt.
Mix Patterns: Mixing patterns and textures can add depth and interest to your outfit. Wear a black blazer with a brown patterned shirt or dress, for example.
Go Subtle: If you’re not sure how you feel about this pairing yet, go subtle, and mix in brown accessories with an all-black outfit.
Opt for a Print with Both Colors: The easiest way to try this trend is to select an item with a brown and black print such as leopard and let it do the mixing for you.
Keep shades in mind: Anything can work in fashion (which is why it’s so fun and can also feel intimidating), but when you’re first starting to mix, it may be easier to stick to one shade of brown when wearing it with black rather than trying to mix and match different shades.
Here are my favorite ideas and inspiration for how to wear brown and black together this fall.
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