There is an old school fashion rule about not pairing black and brown together. The logic was that black and brown are opposing colors and should not be mixed. As with most fashion rules, this one has gone out the window. Black and brown are everywhere this season. How do you feel about the combination? Let’s take a look at my Tips on How to Pair Black and Brown Together.
KEEP IT SIMPLE-BLACK AND BROWN WORKS BEST WHEN YOU ELIMINATE OTHER COLORS
In my humble opinion black and brown look the chicest together when there isn’t competition from other colors.
Camel and black are hard to beat. Here, I am wearing the fabulous faux leather pants from Lysee (you can still get 20% off everything at Lysee if you use my link and use the code Cindy20) I am wearing them in a small. They are supposed to be cropped but as you can see they hit me at the perfect point right above the ankle. I am pairing them with a camel turtleneck, Birdies Starling flats, and an old J Crew calf hair belt with simple tortoise earrings.
Here I combined chocolate brown and black. This is a color combination I probably never would have considered several years ago. Here the chocolate brown is introduced in the pattern of the scarf from IBU movement. (no longer available in this color combination but in black and white.I added just a touch of turquoise in my bracelet and earrings. The Stuart Weitzman combat boots are now on sale.
To this all-black ensemble, I added a leopard scarf. The leopard scarf takes some of the seriousness away from the all-black look, don’t you think?
PAIR IT WITH AN ANCHOR PIECE
If you have been reading my blog long, you know I am a big leopard fan. I featured this Nothing pulls an all-black outfit together better than leopard. The H&M dress is back in stock and only $24.99.
This picture is several years old, but the same idea, leopard is the tie that binds the two colors together. The boots are no longer available but Everlane has a very similar pair here. The Ganni skirt I purchased on ebay several years ago, they have similar ones here.The belt is ancient but Bijou has a belt with a similar look here.
You can find all the details on this outfit as well in the same post on How to Nail High and Low Fall Fashion here.
The mock neck sweater is from Anthropologie and the necklace is from French Kande here.
Here I am wearing another of Lysee’s great Fall pieces their engineered plaid sweater,and their faux suede leggings.
WORK IN OTHER TEXTURES
You saw Lysee’s Alice Fringe Coat , and the faux leather leggings in the post How to Make Your Style Your Own with Accessories.I love how the different textures make this combination work
I love this convertible sweatshirt from Lysee (the sleeves unzip). You could remove the sleeves and add a turtleneck or shirt for winter. I paired it with their faux suede leggings, velvet birdies, and, a J Crew crossbody bag. The bag is sold out but you can find a few on ebay here.
This “shacket” from Bijou on the Park in Paso is actually darker than it appears. It definitely tones down the seriousness of the all-black look of the turtleneck and the faux leather Lysee leggings.
Here I am pairing the Lysee Schiffer Shirt (great for travel) with their faux suede leggings, a turtleneck and birdies. The Schiffer shirt comes in multiple colors and extended sizing.
In this look, I have a mix of textures. I am pairing a very old Banana Republic jacket, Eileen Fisher velvet wide leg pants (great for the Holidays), with a simple turtleneck and leopard mules.
USE BROWN TO LEND AN EARTHINESS TO AN ALL-BLACK LOOK
I love a column of camel broken up with the J Crew lightweight cashmere wrap held in place by a vintage pin. The J Crew sweater pants are from last season. I featured them in last year’s post Fall Fashion the Knitwear Trend.Gap has some very similar ones here for a great price in multiple colors.
Here is another look from last year with varied textures. The Peruvian Connection blazer was gifted and several years old (no longer available), the faux leather leggings are not nearly as nice as the Lysee faux leather leggings that you can get 20% off using my link and the code cindy20.
All items or similar are linked at the bottom under shop the post.
Another older look, with the Peruvian Connection blazer, and a leather skirt that is at least 15 years old. I have linked a very similar faux from Joe’s jeans at the bottom of the post.
SHOP THE POST
What do you think of the black and brown combination? Would you wear it? You can check out the links below for more information on how to combine the two colors.
Who What Wear Brown and Black do go Together
Covateur-Black and Brown Styling
Pure Wow’s Fall Fashion Trends
Vogue-How to Wear Black and Brown Together
An Indigo Day How to Wear Black and Brown Together
As always, thank you so much for being here, and taking the time out of your day to read my Tips on How to Pair Black and Brown Together. I would love to hear your thoughts.
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I am an avid fashion enthusiast with a wealth of knowledge in the realm of style, color theory, and fashion trends. Having closely followed the evolution of fashion rules and trends over the years, I can confidently assert that the once-strict rule of not pairing black and brown is indeed a relic of the past. Now, more than ever, this combination is not only acceptable but also highly fashionable.
The evidence lies in the current season's trends, as mentioned in the article. Black and brown pairings are prevalent, and fashionistas are embracing the chic synergy of these once-considered opposing colors. The author provides a series of firsthand examples, demonstrating an impeccable understanding of how to flawlessly combine black and brown in various outfits.
The article emphasizes the importance of simplicity, recommending that black and brown work best when other colors are eliminated from the ensemble. The author showcases different combinations, such as camel and black or chocolate brown and black, proving that the key is to let these two colors shine without unnecessary distractions.
The concept of using an anchor piece, particularly one with a leopard print, is highlighted as a powerful tool to tie together an all-black outfit. The article showcases how leopard accessories or clothing items act as a unifying element, bridging the gap between black and brown seamlessly.
Furthermore, the importance of incorporating different textures into the combination is discussed. The author adeptly combines materials like faux leather, suede, velvet, and more, showcasing a nuanced understanding of how diverse textures can enhance the overall aesthetic of black and brown pairings.
The use of brown is also explored as a means to add earthiness to an all-black look. The author demonstrates this by breaking up a column of camel with a J Crew lightweight cashmere wrap, adding depth and visual interest to the outfit.
To further solidify the credibility of the article, the author provides external references from reputable sources such as Who What Wear, Covateur, Pure Wow, and Vogue, reinforcing the idea that black and brown do indeed go together. These references serve as additional evidence supporting the current fashion consensus on this color combination.
In conclusion, the article not only showcases a deep understanding of fashion but also provides practical tips and visual examples on how to master the art of pairing black and brown, effectively dispelling the outdated notion that these colors should not be mixed.
