Haute Chocolate: The Neutral That’s Having a Moment
When refreshing or updating your wardrobe, I always suggest starting with your neutral basics. They’re the backbone of a wardrobe and the key to creating chic, effortless outfits. The “best” neutrals depend on your seasonal palette, and since they’re not always easy to find, it’s smart to stock up when they’re in stores. And if brown happens to be one of your go-to neutrals (or you’ve just been waiting to try it), this season is the perfect time; the options have never looked better.
Brown has sometimes been seen as the “less sophisticated” cousin of black or navy, more Country Mouse than City Mouse. But this season’s deep, rich browns are turning that idea on its head. And while many browns naturally flatter Springs and Autumns, you’ll find beautiful variations across every seasonal palette.
Finding the best brown for your seasonal color palette…
When comparing browns for each seasonal palette, some of the differences can be subtle, and tough to judge on a monitor. (I’ve seen many of these in person and can vouch for the seasonal match.) So think of these ideas as a starting point, and always test how a piece plays with the other colors in your wardrobe. If you’re wearing brown as an accessory or below the waist, you can sometimes go a little “off piste.” And just as with navy, your browns don’t have to match exactly; mixing textures makes it look intentional.
Springs & Autumns: Warm & Rich Browns
I’m grouping these two together, since their palettes share some browns. Think yellow-based, rich, and warm. Autumns can lean softer, while Springs look best in brighter, more saturated versions.
In chocolate terms: imagine 71% cacao, semi-sweet, and even some rich milk chocolate.
Corduroy Pants – $148
This “French Press” color can work for both Springs and Autumns. Available in Classic, Petite, and Tall sizes. (If you’re ordering Petite, I suggest sizing up.)
Autumns, the softer “Smoky Willow Wood” is also a good color for you.
(There’s also a cute corduroy barn jacket in the same French Press color.)
Wool Jacket – $199
The “Dark Walnut” color at Talbot’s is another good one for Springs & most Autumns. This jacket is available in Misses, Petite, Plus, and Plus Petite sizes.
Plaid button-up shirt – $119
Plaid, but make it polished. This warm dark brown is a good one for most Autumns & some Springs.
If your coloring is on the softer or lighter side, try layering it under a lighter sweater or jacket.
Leather zip jacket – $225
Brown leather jackets can be surprisingly tricky to find, so I was happy to spot this one. It’s well-priced and well-reviewed! For other options, check out this Oversized Bomber, Classic Blazer, and Biker style.
Scarf jacket with contrast trim – $200
Autumns, this looks very close to the softer “Coffee” brown in your palette. The fabric is a double-faced Merino wool. Sizes XS-XL.
Summer Palette: Soft & Cool Browns
Yes, Summers, there are browns in your palette too! Your browns are cool and soft, often with a purplish undertone. Think cocoa powder, or raisin.
Washable Ponte Knit Blazer – $328
Eileen Fisher’s “Cassis” is a sophisticated, repeat-favorite shade for Summers. This new blazer is a great sign that more pieces in this color may be coming. Sizes XXS–3X and Petites.
Cotton crewneck sweater – $98
Here’s an example of Summer’s “Cocoa.” This 100% cotton sweater is available in sizes XS-XL.
Pull-on pants – $87.99
Madewell’s “Chocolate Raisin” is spot-on for Summers. Available in Regular, Petite, and Tall. (Also worth a look: this chic utility shirt.)
Tie-front top – $87.99
A pretty floral print in purplish-brown tones that layers seamlessly with your other browns.
Mixed-media moto jacket – $228
This faux-suede jacket with knit sleeves is another great “Cocoa” piece. Notice how it pairs beautifully with cool, soft shades…try it over a floral blouse (like the one above) or dress.
Winter Palette: Deep & Dramatic Browns
Winters, your browns are dark, cool, and dramatic…think 85% cacao or “Bitter Chocolate.” Some Winters (especially Burnished Winters) can wear it near the face, but for many it’s best in accessories or away from the face.
It can be tricky to find clothing in true Bitter Chocolate, but here are a few pieces to keep an eye on:.
Relaxed twill wide leg pants – $169
If you find yourself asking, “is it black, or is it brown?” then you’re probably in the right neighborhood. These wide-leg pants are available in regular and Petite sizes.
Knitted cotton vest – $129
A versatile wear-now-wear-later piece. Available in M and L sizes.
Ruched jersey top – $68
This chic boatneck top has great layering potential! Also in Plus, HERE.
For many Winters, accessories are the easiest way to bring brown into your palette…
Suede drawstring bag – $248
I love the shape of this bag, and the silver hardware makes it a great option for Winters!
Weatherproof ankle boots – $495
It’s hard to beat Aquatalia weatherproof boots for comfort and style. This espresso brown suede will work well with other Winter neutrals: navy, black, gray.
No matter your season, there’s a brown waiting to earn a spot in your wardrobe. From warm and rich, to cool and soft, to deep and dramatic, there’s a chocolate shade for every palette. Is brown a color you like to wear? Let me know in comments!
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Susan,
Are there browns for gray heads? I have iron gray hair and tend to shy away from browns and beiges. But brown is ubiquitous this year! Your advice?
Hi Pamela, I have gray hair and wear lots of brown! 🙂 It’s all about finding the right one for your skin tone and seasonal palette.
I am adding more browns to my wardrobe this fall. I’ve ordered the JCrew blazer in “French Press.” Hopefully, it’s the right color and the right fit. As a woman with an apple shaped body who is not petite, I was as happy to find the longer shape in a jacket as I was the color. Short or cropped jackets with big pockets in the stomach area are not friendly for me.
Thank you! (I asked for a brown post yesterday and I’m happy to know I’m on track for my season.) A note about the Quince jacket for petite/short armed peeps. My seamstress stated she could not shorten the sleeves from the top. She was able to make a horizontal seam across the sleeves to take up the inch I needed. It mirrors the other seams on the jacket and looks intentional. It cost $65 which I think is reasonable given the cost of the jacket.
Yay for brown !! It is generally ignored by retailers. Every year the staples/ basics come out in black, navy and grey and usually no option for those of us with warm undertones. I’m glad brown is having a moment this fall.
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Wow fabulous review of browns Susan! I’m trying to snap up Autumn browns because (as you say) brown rarely comes around as a neutral that’s offered. I’m going to try the Madewell suede jacket hoping that I have enough ‘natural’ in me to pull it off. If not, the Quince cropped jacket looks promising. I’m on the hunt for a ‘rock and roll’ brown purse–like the Madewell suede purse with grommets. Let us know if you see something like that! I *finally* ordered a pair of the barrel leg Ruti jeans and I love them! Getting the right size was the hurdle.
Thanks, Sally! I’ll be working on a bag roundup for later this month, so stay tuned…
If any of your readers are Chico’s shoppers, their travelers line has several pieces in brown right now.
Good to know, thanks!
This is really helpful. I love brown but it’s challenging to find the right shade since all my shopping is online. The leather jacket and boots don’t seem to have yellow or rusty red undertone. They appear more neutral brown, is there such a thing as neutral brown??
The brown slouchy Madewell pants you have? I bought those and love that deep brown. How would you describe that brown?
Thanks, Susan!
Hi Linda, the dark brown in the Spring & Autumn palettes is pretty neutral, I think. The Madewell pants are close to the Spring/Autumn dark brown, maybe just slightly cooler.
Thanks, Susan. I often get colors/undertones wrong so I wasn’t sure I was seeing these correctly. I appreciate your providing information and examples for the different color seasons.
I love chocolate brown but I cannot ‘do’ brown in my wardrobe. I have a few pieces and I never wear them.
Greetje
Thanks Susan. I LOVE it when you show the best tones for each season. So helpful! From a Soft Summer 🙂
Great blog about brown which I love! However, I have “stuck” to my colors for so so long (although as I age is seem to seep into the less saturated version of my colors) and I confess, I am a little weary of them. I miss black and white. I do have a good amount of ivory however. So I have been buying wonderful black pieces from the designer Aleeza Paris (check her out…some unique items) and I realized that you would be the person to tell me how, if at all, black can fit into my palette. Brian told me some years ago on a video session that my coloring is like yours if that helps.