The One Colour That Will Earn You Brownie Points This Season Is…
Brown is the new black.
by Ho Guo Xiong /
March 7, 2019
The colour brown is not usually an obvious first choice. While the shade can be earthy and comforting, it can also seem drab and dull, taking a back seat to brighter, eye-catching tones like millennial pink and living coral. But in spite of this, the understated autumnal hue is fast becoming a favourite having had a stellar runway season in Spring/Summer ’19, ranging terracotta to camel and brown granite to its lighter cousins of beige and taupe. Phillip Lim, Roksanda, Jil Sander, Chanel, Dior and Balmain are but just a few of the names that heralded the return of the aforementioned hues. Less harsh than black, it is also a trusty colour (read: wardrobe staple potential) that works well regardless of personal style. In short, add them to your wardrobe, pronto.
Styling tips and shopping picks below.
#1: Take it to the tailors
Scroll through Thai actress Bella Campen’s Instagram feed and you will find many examples of style #inspo. Here, she rocks a killer taupe pantsuit combination that makes her look sharp and spiffy.
If going all deep brown like Bella is not something you’re keen on, you can go with a lighter hue like beige, such as this combination from Tom Ford that you can wear with studded heels and a handbag.
Tom Ford linen straight fit trouser, US$1,090
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Zara blazer with flap pockets, $159
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Going matchy-matchy with your blazer and pants will make you look cohesive, but you definitely need accessories to add dimension to the style. Here’s another method — Pairing a lighter coloured blazer with darker pants not only creates contrast, but also helps elongate your stature. Finish with your favourite nude pumps and you’ve got a #girlboss outfit down pat.
Zara darted trousers with belt, $99.90
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Read more on the next page.
#2: Play with textures
Whether it’s a woven jumper or shearling-trimmed jacket, you can easily find 50 shades of brown in these dependable outerwear categories across various fashion seasons. You can start with Aimee Song’s favourite shade, camel.
Natasha Zinko striped sleeve crochet jumper, $1,276 from Farfetch
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Made with a blend of wool, alpaca wool and cashmere, this thin beige jumper from Natasha Zinko is suitable for Singapore’s hot weather as well as in your freezing office. The technicoloured sleeves add a quirky touch to the dependable jumper. Wear this with a pair of wide-leg pants for a slouchy weekend look.
P.A.R.O.S.H. shearling trim jacket, $1,808 from Farfetch
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P.A.R.O.S.H., which stands for Paolo Rossello Second Hand, draws inspiration from vintage and military clothing that can be clearly seen in the jacket’s boxy silhouette and rugged construction. Pair this with a simple t-shirt, black skinnies and strappy heels for that model off-duty look.
Bershkha turtleneck sweater, $29.90
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While basic, this brick red piece from Bershka is easy to incorporate into your office wardrobe — wear it with a pencil skirt or tailored stripe trousers. You can even layer it over a slip dress to keep cool when you’re outdoors.
Mango linen cardigan $59.90
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Made with lightweight linen, this Mango coat channels slouchy, weekend chill vibes — especially when you’re wearing it while having a cup of hot chocolate at a bookstore cafe in Europe. Pair this casual oversized piece with skinny denim and black boots.
#3: Embrace the colour head-to-toe
Utilitarian outfits are another big trend in Spring/Summer ’19. Take a leaf from the book of Nicole Warne, who is better known by her online moniker @garypeppergirl, and dive into the brown end with jumpsuits and factory overalls.
Hatch the serena belted crinkled-jersey jumpsuit, US$382.04 (S$515.10) from Net-a-Porter
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Hatch founder Ariane Goldman purposefully chose crinkled-jersey as its stretchable quality allows room for a typically unforgiving jumpsuit silhouette. Great for expecting mothers as it can accommodate growing bumps. The metallic bronze finish would work well against white flats for a weekend yacht party.
Iro belted embellished linen and cotton-blend jumpsuit, US$746.42 (S$1,006.40) from Net-a-Porter
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Western-style gold studding gives this Iro jumpsuit a rugged Americana look. Pair it with a fringed bag and gladiator sandals to bring the ensemble to greater heights.
Zara loose-fitting belted jumpsuit, $139
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While you can use the rope belt that comes accompanied with this Zara jumpsuit, we recommend a chunky statement leather belt and heel booties to jazz up the outfit.
Zara faux suede jumpsuit dress, $69.90
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A jumpsuit can be difficult to be get in and out of, especially when, ahem, nature calls. But if you love the convenience of a one-piece, go with this stylish faux suede playsuit that looks like a dress from the front. Pair with brown wedges, which will elongate your figure further.
Read more on the next page.
#4: Go for prints
If solid blocks of brown is too off-putting for you, consider breaking up the colour by going for pieces with prints, like Jessica Jung. Check and plaid prints are easy starting points.
Monse plaid asymmetric off shoulder blazer, $2,699 from Farfetch
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Switch things up with this off-shoulder take on a regular blazer from Monse. Best paired with a pair of sleek black cigarette trousers to contrast against the asymmetric and shoulder-baring quality.
Coach leo teddy bomber jacket, $3,226 from Farfetch
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Stuart Vevers’ masterful design is exemplified in this cross between a varsity jacket and a shearling coat. The whimsical embroidery keeps the animal print fun and young. Pair with navy palazzo pants.
Zara horse coin shirt, $79.90
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This soft shirt sports a unique horse coin print. To give the illusion of longer legs, French tuck this piece into a sleek pair of black trousers and finish the look with heeled boots.
#5: Go wild
Animal prints are another great way to add brown hues to the outfit. While Bella Hadid is rocking leopard print, you can also consider another home run of the season: snakeskin print.
Christian Louboutin jonatina 100 leopard-print satin sandals, US$857 (S$1,155.49) from MatchesFashion
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Here’s a great way to introduce animal print into your ensemble without going too far. This leopard pair can easily jazz up a simple outfit.
MSGM high-gloss snake-print midi skirt, US$471 (S$635.05) from MatchesFashion
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The glossy sheen of this flowy high-waist MSGM skirt will contrast nicely against a matte neutral turtleneck and a pair of Chelsea boots.
Bershka leopard print cargo pants, $59.90
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Ditch the baggy elephant pants you got from Thailand for this pair of camo leopard trousers from Bershka. Elevate with a pair of brown heels.
Zara animal print mini dress, $59.90
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We love slip dresses for their throw-on-and-go quality. But if you find the cut too revealing for you, pair it with an oversized slouchy shearling jacket for the weekends or a blazer when you’re at work.
Read more on the next page.
#6: Get on board with corduroy
Instagram (@oliviawilde)
It was Prada’s Fall 2017 menswear runway that made us fall in love with the storied fabric all over again. And while Mrs Prada’s suits for the boys were cut a lot more slim-fit, actress Olivia Wilde’s flared-leg version is an easier starting point for the ladies.
An online exclusive by Mango, this corduroy blazer is a tougher alternative to its cotton and polyester siblings. Furthermore, the carrot brown tones allow you to add colour to your work wardrobe without being too OTT. Wear with faded jeans over the weekend.
Wandler corduroy cross-body bag, US$897 (S$1,209.43) from MatchesFashion
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We love a bag that you can carry three ways, like this Wandler piece that has a top handle and an accompanying shoulder strap. Pair this tan-brown number with a double denim look for a feminine and modern take on good ol’ Americana.
Gabriela Hearst briggs micro-corduroy wool-blend trousers, US$712 (S$960) from MatchesFashion
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Created exclusively for the retailer, this pair of Gabriela Hearst corduroy trousers is as simple and classic as it gets. Juxtapose its weighted, sturdy nature with cream satin tops.
H&M short corduroy skirt, $54.95
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Simple and classic, pair with your favourite T-shirt and sneakers. Done.