I love this year's color trends. Classic autumnal neutrals are making their mark. Burgundy is everywhere, as is green and fifty shades of gray. But brown is the color of the season! From rich chocolate tones to warm caramels and soft tans, brown is everywhere in fall and winter 2024 fashion, adding a grounded, cozy vibe to outfits. This versatile hue can work for anyone whether dressing up or keeping it casual. Here’s how to incorporate brown into your wardrobe this season, from head-to-toe looks to simple statement pieces.
Wearing one color from head to toe is a surefire way to make a statement, and brown is perfect for monochrome outfits. Start with different shades of brown to add depth and interest to your look.
Outfit Inspiration: Pair a chocolate brown sweater with lighter caramel trousers, finishing with taupe boots. Mix shades of brown to create a rich, layered effect that’s still cohesive.
Accessorize to Match: Choose brown accessories in a complementary tone, such as a leather bag or suede belt. Also, remember that brown sunglasses can add a trendy finishing touch.
Cable Knit Turtleneck | Velvet Jeans | Leather Jacket | Tartan Plaid Scarf | Similar Suede Loafers
Brown pairs beautifully with neutral colors like beige, white, and black, making it easy to create layered outfits for fall. Or you can wear brown all on its own. Today, I started with a brown sweater and then added velvet jeans. Layer different textures. The cozy cable knit sweater pairs well with a smooth leather jacket. Mixing texture adds visual interest and keeps the outfit from feeling flat. You can even throw in some cream-colored accessories like this plaid scarf for a softer look.
Brown outerwear is trending big this season, from oversized blazers and tailored coats to faux-fur jackets and leather trenches. A brown coat instantly adds warmth and sophistication to any outfit.
Style Ideas: For a polished, casual look, try a brown wool coat over a simple sweater and jeans. Or, opt for a faux leather trench in a deep chestnut color for a bold yet classic vibe.
Footwear Match: Brown boots or ankle booties pair well with brown outerwear, creating a cohesive look. Suede, leather, and even faux options work well and come in various shades that add richness to any outfit.
This season, prints and patterns—particularly plaids, animal prints, and florals—are making a splash. Brown is a great anchor color for many of these trends.
Plaid Perfection: A brown plaid coat or pants paired with a simple white or beige sweater creates a stylishly understated look. Alternatively, try a brown plaid scarf with a neutral base to add a subtle pattern.
Animal Print: Leopard and snake prints in shades of brown are trending this season, bringing a wild touch to any outfit. Try an animal-print skirt with a tan sweater or a leopard-print scarf to spice up a solid brown outfit.
Floral Fall: Brown floral pieces bring an unexpected softness to autumn and winter outfits. Consider a floral brown blouse under a camel coat or a floral skirt with a fitted brown turtleneck.
Cable Knit Turtleneck | Velvet Jeans | Leather Jacket | Tartan Plaid Scarf | Similar Suede Loafers
If you’re just starting to incorporate brown or prefer smaller touches, accessories in this versatile hue are an easy way to add a seasonal touch without fully committing to a brown ensemble.
Bags and Belts: A brown leather handbag or suede belt can instantly add warmth to your outfit. These pieces also pair well with almost any color, from cool blues to warm reds and neutrals.
Shoes and Boots: Brown boots are a fall staple, but this season’s trend expands to loafers, ballet flats, and even sneakers. A brown shoe adds sophistication and pairs beautifully with denim, neutrals, and earth tones.
Hats and Scarves: To add a cozy element to your fall look, try a wool hat in a deep espresso shade or a caramel-colored scarf. These accessories are easy to throw on and give any outfit an instant seasonal update.
Brown and denim are a timeless combination, bringing warmth to the cool tone of blue jeans. This look is great for casual days when you want to keep things simple but stylish.
How to Style It: For a go-to fall look, pair a chunky brown sweater or cardigan with high-waisted jeans and brown ankle boots. Try a brown leather jacket over a chambray shirt for a more polished outfit.
Jeans of Any Style: Brown works with all shades of denim, from light wash to dark indigo. Mix and match depending on the shade of brown you’re wearing—lighter browns go well with medium to dark washes, while darker browns pop with light or medium-wash jeans.
A brown dress is an easy way to wear this season’s hottest color in a one-and-done look. For a cozy and chic fall outfit, go for a sweater dress, midi dress, or shirt dress.
Style Ideas: Pair a chocolate brown midi dress with tan knee-high boots and a matching belt to create a polished fall outfit. A wrap dress in a lighter tan shade is also perfect for layering under jackets or coats.
Layering Options: Top your brown dress with a trench coat or long cardigan. This season, knee-high boots in lighter browns or taupe shades look especially stylish with dresses.
Cable Knit Turtleneck | Velvet Jeans | Leather Jacket | Tartan Plaid Scarf | Similar Suede Loafers
Brown’s warm undertones make it the perfect complement to fall’s popular jewel tones, like emerald green, ruby red, and deep sapphire.
How to Pair: Wear a brown blazer over a jewel-toned blouse, or opt for a brown skirt with a rich green or blue sweater. This combination feels fresh and vibrant while keeping with the cozy vibe of the season.
Color Balance: Let brown serve as the base, and add one or two jewel-toned pieces to make your outfit stand out. Brown can act as a grounding color, while the jewel tones add brightness.
Brown is an incredibly versatile color that adds warmth and richness to any look. From monochrome outfits and chic outerwear to subtle accessories and bold patterns, there are countless ways to style brown this season. Whether you’re going all-in on a brown outfit or simply adding touches of brown here and there, embracing this color is a fantastic way to stay on-trend for fall and winter 2024.
So, don’t hesitate to add a bit (or a lot!) of brown to your wardrobe this season – it's a timeless, flattering color that makes it easy to create outfits you’ll feel great in all season long.
is the Founder and CEO of Style at a Certain Age. She writes Sundays-Fridays on all topics ranging from fashion, health, wellness, home design and more.
She’s 65, 5’8, and size 8.
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