Fashion rules are handed down from the older to the younger generation. They are often just adopted and never questioned. Sometimes there were reasons for a rule, but they don’t apply anymore. This post shows that a look can be effortlessly chich in brown with black. Read and see how to pull off the look.
- Break Old Fashion Rules
- How to be Effortlessly Chic in Brown with Black
- A Brown-black Outfit Explained
- Wearing Black and Brown Together as a Statement
- Effortlessly Chic Brown with Black Outfit Ideas
- Conclusion: Breaking Old Fashion Rules Is the New It
- Top of the World Style Linkup No. 331
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 be Effortlessly Chic in Brown with Black
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. Adding a third color is the easiest (see photo above and next photo below).
- 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 pants and shoes together. The structured bag screams “I mean business” and helps keeping this outfit work appropriate in a business casual style workplace.

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.
Effortlessly Chic Brown with Black 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.
Ditch old fashion rules. Brown and black look great together. #fashionover50 Click To Tweet

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.



















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.





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
Top of the World Style Linkup No. 331
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Photos: G. Kramm
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