The color brown often times gets a bum rap. You never hear “brown is the new black,” but I believe it. From my car color to the hoard of brown turtleneck dresses that sat idly in the American Apparel Factory Store (home of the unwanted and defective) that I just had to scoop up, I love the color brown. My favorite dress is brown, my purse is brown, my skin is brown; you get the picture.
When I’m considering brown in the fashion world, I like to think of it as either a foundation for an outfit or the glue that welds an outfit together. The brown family ranges many colors along a gradient. These colors are considered earth tones or muted tones; olive green and mustard are also considered earth tones.
Inspiration for this look definitely came from the minimalist trend that has been very popular among bloggers and designers. The camel coat is an iconic, minimalist piece; I would consider it a welding item. It works well with most colors and allows you to stay warm and stylish in the chilly fall weather. Buying a camel coat can cause some pain, as a good one can cost a pretty penny. However, sites such as ASOS offer them for a range of about $100 to $150. Alternatively, if you are looking for a more affordable option, Forever 21 offers functional coats for about $50.
This look in particular creates a strong contrast between two different looks — classic and trendy. What I like about this look is that she flip-flopped the idea of the casual earth tones of her mustard colored sweatshirt and camel coat with a pair of light wash, distressed jeans. What makes the jeans work is the fact they are carefully deconstructed. Holes are tricky. To keep an outfit classy with an edge make sure the holes are uniform and a clean cut. A tip when wearing or creating your own distressed jeans is to keep the hole at least 3 to 4 inches below the butt cheek and your zipper.
As for shoes, the choice to pair a navy blue shoe with a brown outfit is bold. Keeping the shoe simple with no embellishments is smart because the color stands out on its own. Oddly enough, the minimalist trend has pushed out the idea that you need heels to be dressed up. Sneakers, such as the Adidas Superstars, have been ruling the streets. I myself am a fan of the sneaker trend because it allows you to give off an effortlessly cool look while still being comfortable. Other sneaker brands that are making an impact on the streets include Nike Air Max, Nike Roshe Runs and New Balance Running Sneakers.
In wanting to stay with the idea of keeping her outfit as minimalist as possible, she paired simple silver jewelry on both of her wrists. Simple watches in silver, gold or black pair well with not only minimalist looks, but also the color brown. By not wearing a necklace, she draws more attention to the outfit itself.
A clean and classic minimalist look for fall is a good idea for people who are looking to try something new. And remember, do not rule out the color brown. It is a very good color for not only the fall season but also year around. Remember, browns are your friend; embrace them, wear them, cherish them. And mark my words, brown will someday be the new black.