Brown is back. Trending for the last several seasons on both runways and the street style scene, this versatile neutral is an approved go-to color by fashion designers and street style influencers.  It’s safe to say that this season’s ‘It’ color will be with us for a long time into the future. Look for shades of brown to influence our choices in the fashion department for many years to come. And, definitely expect this trend to drift into the home decor market, too.

So, how do you use the color of the season in Fashion & Design?  Ahead, see how we’re inspired to work the brown aesthetic in our wardrobe  and home decor using both contemporary and vintage selections for each.

Keep scrolling below to save these ideas for later, then shop-the-look from our favorite brown modern-vintage picks for fall fashion and home decor.

Which Shade to Choose

There are a variety of browns from which to choose.  Look for deep or chocolate browns to use as base colors in your fall outfits or home decor.

woman on street wearing burgundy blazer and brown sweater

Harper Bazaar | photo: TYLER JOE

This Neutral Works with Any Color

Autumn is the perfect time to express yourself by mixing chocolate brown shades with complementary colors to spice-up your fall outfits.  Although this warm hue mixes well with other neutrals like blue, creamy ivory, or black and white prints, it works in harmony with any color. Warm and intense, it makes soft, cozy knits appear more vibrant and leather more sophisticated.   And, since chocolate brown is neutral, it’s easy to get creative.  Try mixing this earthy shade with reds and burgundy for a fresh layered look.

Mix Chocolate Brown + Black and White

Olivia Palermo wearing a sweater and skirt for London Street Style

Olivia Palermo, pairs a Tibi, black and white plaid skirt and Pringle of Scotland, wrap-around sweater. | photo: Style Du Monde.

We still love Olivia Palermo’s classic pairing of a brown knit sweater with a black and white plaid skirt. Her effortless look from several years ago proves the combination of brown with a classic black and white print works.

 

 

Frequently, rusty or chocolate browns are the go-to colors for our accessories, such as belts and bags.

 

Mix Modern Art + Vintage Brown Furniture

long brown bench with blue pillow and large artwork in entry way.

Style your entryway with a vintage bench. Surround it with artwork and pillows calling attention to similar colors. | photo:  House & Home

Brown fuses the color schemes we use at home, too. A rich brown wood turns a pale pastel like pink into the sophisticated and chic color we love.  It grounds and intensifies the vivid greens, blues, and burnt oranges we see in our throws and pillows, too.

midcentury modern blue chair and vintage art in modern retro living room

Style a console with a pair of chairs and vibrant artwork for a significant impact. | photo: Design*Sponge

vintage decor collage

create a striking retro-vignette by mixing bold and colorful artwork with a vintage brown console plus blue upholstered chairs.

An easy way to add this trendy color at home is by incorporating one key piece of vintage brown furniture like the console or MCM Danish chairs above, to virtually ground your space by adding weight and charm to your area.  Besides, this ‘IT’ color will allow anything surrounding it, such as artwork to POP.

A brown storage chest will look amazing with a black and white sketch casually sitting on top of it or set on the floor leaning against it.