Colors, Everyday Fashion

See how brown and black make an effortlessly chic look

by Nicole Mölders
effortlessly chic woman in brown coat with black sweater, hat and pants
Contents
  1. Break old fashion rules
  2. How to wear brown and black together
  3. A brown-black outfit explained
  4. Wearing black and brown together as a statement
  5. Black and brown outfit ideas
  6. Conclusion: Breaking old fashion rules is the new It

Disclosure: There are affiliate links in this post.

Break old fashion rules

When I was a kid my mother and grandmother taught me various fashion rules. One of them was never wear brown and black together. While as a kid I had to obey this rule, today I love to break it. I like to combine this fake suede brown blazer with my black pencil leather skirt. Another old fashioned style rule I like to break is not to wear white after Labor Day.

How to wear brown and black together

The best tricks to wear black and brown together are as follow:

  • Find a piece that already has the two colors and work from there.
  • Start with a leopard or animal print that have both colors and work from there. For a guide on how to look ageless in animal print see the post at the link.
  • Take inspiration from nature for your Look of the Day.
  • Doing so is the most easy and safest way to get the look right.
  • Stay with neutrals when adding another color, i.e. avoid bold or bright colors.
  • Go for a medium or light brown.
  • Try chocolate and black. Stylist’s note: This is the hardest, but most sophisticated look to pull off.

A brown-black outfit explained

When wearing brown and black together, go for browns that are on the medium to light side. The cardigan has a black, beige and light brown print which ties the brown and black of the blazer and skirt and the beige and black of the shoes together. To give the outfit some further edge – in addition to wearing black and brown together – I wore my studded heels. The structured bag screams “I mean business” and helps keeping this outfit work appropriate in a casual workplace. To up the style factor, roll up the sleeves.

stylist in work outfit with black and brown

fashion blogger in business casual outfit
Outfit details: Oliveo leather skirt and faux suede blazer, GNW cardigan, structured bag, DIY necklaces with glass polished by the Rhine river, Hermes collier de chien bracelets and unbranded studded heels (all own)

Wearing black and brown together as a statement

Another way to wear brown and black together is to make use of a pattern that encompasses the colors like in the example look the plaid skirt. The brown white shearling motorcycle jacket picks the colors up. The sweater knotted around the waist serves to add shape and at the same time is the “reserve insulation” in case it gets cold in the evening. It picks up the color of the plaid skirt, as does the black cashmere sweater, the hat, and the jacket. Keeping the jacket open as well as the boot toppers up the style factor. You can find a guide how to look mature in boot toppers at this link.

midlife woman in winter work look with boot toppers

Woman looking posh is winter look

midlife women in street style winter outerwear
Outfit details: Andrew Marcs motorcycle jacket, GNW and unbranded cashmere sweaters, plaid skirt, GNW tights, booties, Yves Saint Laurent bag, Ray Ban sunglasses, smoky quartz necklace and bracelet, Hermes collier de chien bangle (all own) and boot toppers c/o Top of the Boot

Black and brown outfit ideas

The following photos provide outfit inspirations in this chic color combination. All neutrals outfits have to have a twist to not look boring. In this look of the day, the see-thru scarf is the twist.

Oliveo custom-made linen pants with side zipper, Anne Klein T-strap slingbacks, Kieselstein Cord belt, H buckle, Hermes collier de chien leather band, Hermes collier de chien bangle, Bulova watch, Kate Moss for Longchamp bag, GNW abstract print cardigan worn as top, and gaze scarf (all own)
Ditch old fashion rules. Brown and black look great together. #fashionover50 Click To Tweet

modern office look with all neutral colors

style blogger in a brown and black office look
Office look details:  Oliveo faux suede blazer, GNW cardigan worn as top, Oliveo plaid shirt, Kieselstein Cord belt and three horses buckle, Siena Studio leather pencil skirt, GNW tight, Clarks booties, Hermes Medor watch, Hermes collier de chien bracelet, necklace with brooch attached as pendant, and YSL bag (all own)

The following inspiration is a fall business casual look. Yes, you can wear white after Labor Day. Another old-fashioned rule to break. In this look, the key piece is the cardigan that ties the separates together.

mature fall look with leather pants for the office

fall office outfit idea in black, brown and white
Outfit details: Vittori wool blazer, white Newport News leather pants, and GNW print cardigan, Bulova watch, Kieselstein Cord belt and buckle, Apostrophe Mary-Janes, Hermes collier de chien bangle, Kate Moss for Longchamp bag, and Ray Ban wayfarer sunglasses (all own)

Styling outerwear

Outerwear is an outfit too. Always make sure that what shows from your “indoor look” and your coat, jacket or cape plus shoes, bag and accessories also make a nice outfit. Don’t miss this styling opportunity. The outerwear in the photo below is composed of a short chocolate brown shearling coat, black hat and gloves as well as a brown bag. They pick up the color of the tights and booties. This look demonstrates that the two colors alone can make an interesting look when you add texture like the hat, shearling cuffs.

#fashionover50 woman in a brown winter look
Outerwear of a chocolate brown shearling coat styled with LeatherCoatsEtc gloves, Yves Saint Laurent bag, Clark booties, and beret (all own)

Conclusion: Breaking old fashion rules is the new It

Think of brown and black as an all neutral dressy outfit and create interest with details like see-thru or texture. The easiest way to get the look right, is to start with a piece that has already the two colors in the print.

Breaking old-fashion rules is the new It. #effortlesslychic #styletips Click To Tweet

Do you break old fashion rules? Do you wear brown and black together?

Get the support, motivation, and tips to look to your best in life. Get a subscription to High Latitude Style. Deep inside you know when I can do it you can do it too.

Photos: G. Kramm

© 2013-2020 Nicole Mölders | All rights reserved

Advertisements