5 Ways To Wear Chocolate Brown – Fashion’s Hottest Hue
In search of a new neutral to invest in? Chocolate-brown is currently topping the color charts – and it’s a shade with serious staying power. It’s time to give in to its modern allure…
In previous years, chocolate brown has made a much quieter statement than its timeless counterparts black, navy and gray – or has only been spotlighted whenever ’70s style swept the runways. On the recent runways, however, the luxuriously rich shade made serious impact during fashion month, appearing as the star of the show everywhere from Gabriela Hearst to The Row, fast becoming the It-color among editors, influencers and stylists alike. The buzz around brown didn’t stop there, either, as the shade cropped up on front rows for spring/summer ’24.
TOTEME+ NET SUSTAIN croc-effect leather coat€940.00View Product DetailsSelect a Size32 - out of stock34 - out of stock36 - out of stock38 - out of stock40 - out of stock
SAINT LAURENTCroc-effect leather belt€650.00View Product DetailsSelect a Size6570 - low stock75 - out of stock80 - out of stock85 - out of stock90 - out of stock95 - out of stock
“Chocolate-brown is a color I try to incorporate often,” says stylist Danielle Goldberg, the brains behind some of Kaia Gerber and Ayo Edebiri’s latest (and coolest) looks. When it came to dressing Laura Harrier for Saint Laurent’s SS24 show in Paris, Goldberg ran with the elegant shade from top to toe. “Pairing different textures and fabrics together gave the color so much more depth, and I knew it would be absolutely stunning on Laura. The show felt like the perfect moment to celebrate such beautiful designs,” she adds, admitting that she fell in love with the look from the moment she saw it hit the runway. So, what does this mean for your winter wardrobe? You could follow Harrier’s lead and stick to a cocoa palette for a gorgeously refined take, but the versatile shade creates scope for countless styling possibilities. Read on for five ways to wear it now…
Mix it with denim
Playing with tones and textures doesn’t need to feel like risky business – it can be as simple as sticking to one key color and one key fabric: such as chocolate and denim. The Row’s collections are inspired by simplicity and arrive each season filled with enduring staples in beautiful fabrics. Tailored from wool twill with sharp shoulders, its ‘Myriam’ blazer is the piece of dark chocolate you need to base the rest of your looks around. Layer it over Agolde’s Western-inflected ‘Glinda’ shirt, fastening only the top snap to reveal a white tank beneath, then ground it with the brand’s baggy ‘Low Slung Puddle’ jeans and a pair of ’90s kitten-heel boots. Lastly, let Jacquemus’ ‘Le Bambimou’ bag add softness with its squishy padding and buttery leather.
THE ROWMyriam double-breasted wool-twill blazer€1,725.00View Product DetailsSelect a Size0 - out of stock2 - out of stock46 - out of stock8 - out of stock10 - out of stock12 - out of stock
JACQUEMUSLe Bambimou padded mini leather shoulder bag
AGOLDELow Slung Puddle jeans€264.00View Product DetailsSelect a Size23 - out of stock2425 - low stock26 - out of stock2728 - out of stock29 - low stock30 - out of stock31 - low stock32 - low stock
AGOLDEDame high-rise wide-leg jeans€185.00View Product DetailsSelect a Size23 - out of stock24 - out of stock25 - out of stock26 - out of stock27 - out of stock28 - out of stock29 - out of stock30 - out of stock31 - out of stock32 - out of stock
Break it up with black
Don’t worry, we’re not asking you to relinquish black to the deepest, darkest depths of your closet. An incredibly chic way to wear a brown double-breasted winter coat – such as Wardrobe.NYC’s double-breasted style – this season (and beyond) is by teaming it with inky blacks and charcoals that are just as refined and enduring. Dressing from the feet up, start with Le Monde Béryl’s trending Mary Jane ballet flats, which are made from soft suede. Add a great pair of black pants from Róhe, a new NET-A-PORTER brand that makes modern, minimalist designs using exceptional Italian fabrics, and a tonal cashmere sweater.
KHAITEMae cashmere sweater€1,560.00View Product DetailsSelect a Sizex smallsmallmediumlarge - out of stockx large - out of stock
RÓHEWool-blend twill straight-leg pants€126.00View Product DetailsSelect a Size3234 - out of stock36 - out of stock38 - out of stock40 - out of stock42 - out of stock44 - out of stock
THE FRANKIE SHOPJackie oversized croc-effect faux leather coat€165.00View Product DetailsSelect a Sizex small - out of stocksmall - out of stockmedium - out of stocklarge - out of stockx large - out of stock
TOTEMESelene brushed-wool sweater€196.00View Product DetailsSelect a Sizexx small - out of stockx small - out of stocksmall - out of stockmedium - out of stocklarge - out of stock
Treat it as a neutral
“Sometimes, black feels too hard; other times, cream is too light; chocolate-brown has become the hero hue that perfectly sits in between,” says NET-A-PORTER’s market director Libby Page, who looks for hard-working shades when building her wardrobe necessities. Warmer neutrals such as honey will temper darker chocolates like Allude’s cashmere cardigan and The Frankie Shop’s ‘Ripley’ wide-leg pants – just add Frame’s blanketing camel coat. Brown will also act as a canvas for brighter SS24 tones, reveals Page, adding: “Chocolate has become a great neutral for confident pops of color such as red and green.”
JENNIFER MEYERDouble Dome mini 18-karat gold earrings
Dress it down
This is the season to raise your leather game. Make an investment and an impression in a supple chocolate-brown trench from a brand that has perfected ‘forever’ designs: Yves Salomon. Its shearling-trimmed coat is built to last and has an effortlessly cool loose fit that works in harmony with a slouchy cotton hoodie. Dress it down a touch further by belting it over jeans in a classic dark-blue wash that won’t compete for attention – Citizens of Humanity’s organic ‘Devi’ jeans are part of our consciously crafted NET SUSTAIN edit. Finish with glossy Chelsea boots.
LES TIENCotton-jersey hoodie€191.00View Product DetailsSelect a Sizexx smallx smallsmall - out of stockmedium - out of stocklarge - out of stockx large - out of stockxx large - out of stock
Focus on accessories
“For anyone new to trying this shade, start with accessories,” recommends Page, adding that “a chocolate-brown boot or a sumptuous tote will enrich your winter whites”. Supporting responsible leather manufacturing through the Leather Working Group, Toteme’s croc-effect knee-high boots from our NET SUSTAIN edit have a slim shape, whilst Aquazzura’s ‘Desert’ boots are chunkier and utilitarian. While temperatures remain chilly, cozy finishing touches matter, too – look to The Row’s long gloves and Johnstons of Elgin’s fringed scarf.
GUCCIHorsebit 1955 leather-trimmed printed coated-canvas shoulder bag
THE ROWSofia mini nubuck shoulder bag
ANDERSON'STextured-leather belt
THE ROWSimon leather gloves
RELATED READING
9 closet essentials for chic city style this winter
Why every wardrobe needs black leggings – and how to style them