As longtime GOACA readers know, I have a bit of an aversion to earth tones in general and brown in particular. I’m not certain why this is, but if a certain item—a sweater, say—comes in pretty much any other color in existence and brown, I will choose the other color, even if it’s less flattering on me. Lately, however, I’ve been liking various brown items—like this excellent Veronica Beard corduroy blazer—and who knows what to attribute this change of heart to.
Here’s a popover, for instance, that also comes in black, but I surprise myself by liking this one better.
A windowpane plaid cowl neck sweater that has an appealingly retroish feel.
These faux leather joggers look a lot like the real thing, and would be so great with high-heeled booties.
A very cozy-looking, smart little sweater blazer.
I like a Fair Isle sweater that sticks to a tight color palette, and this one achieves that quite nicely.
A menswearish plaid jacket that’d be perfect for layering.
Such a feminine, drapey skirt.
I do like a good herringbone plaid, and the one on this coat is really, really good.
I have shown you this Rag & Bone blazer before—I like it a lot, and don’t know why I haven’t gone for it already—and think it’s quite rich-looking in a camel-ish brown.
I admire the fact that this cute little dress dares to mix blue and brown.
This Madewell popover is all about an earth tone, but it’s very much working for me anyway.
Yes, this leather skirt exceeds the GOACA price limit, but as investment purchases go, you could do worse. And it’ll only get better with age.
I’d wear this funnel-neck short-sleeved sweater with a long-sleeved tee underneath.
This big huggy V-neck sweater is just the kind of item that gets me through the long winter.
I like that this fleece jacket has a slightly military-ish feel, but with feminine proportions.
Just a very good cropped cashmere cardigan in a rich, mustard-y brown. Here’s something similar but cheaper.
I have no idea why but my particular perception of color makes me loathe all things earth toned, but also warm colors in general; I’m only attracted to cool colors. (Along with everything black, natch.) BUT, oh-me-oh-my, that herringbone coat is divine–so sharp! And the plaid jacket is pretty adorable, as well.
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Additionally, I do not dislike about 1/2 the other brown items, so you worked a miracle for me here today, Kim. 😉
I have to say that I’m in agreement here. I especially hate the color orange! I won’t wear any earth tones. If I do, people ask me if I’m ill.
As for cool tones, I go one further, and really only like cool jewel tones. Full-on, saturated color makes me feel great. Pastels don’t do me any favors. I look too washed out. 😛
My aversion to brown is mostly because I look horrible in most earth tones. But I do like that brown and blue dress and that chocolate brown blazer at the top.
Yes. Myself also. Brown wash you/everyone out. Except our natural coloring. Brown hair looks lovely on camera, in photos. Mostly though, skip all the fugly beige, light browns & dark brown shades.
I am always in the market for cropped v-neck cardis with full length sleeves … for me and friends … so, thank you! If it were just me, I’d just hem them up … but my friends are particular and don’t like it if the ribbings/hems don’t match.
That Madewell sweater-jacket is MASSIVELY oversized, just FYI — I’m a medium who ordered a small, and it’s going right back because said small is ridiculously huge.
I had a similar problem with a Madewell blazer this season. And, I’m not a tiny thing.
I’m not a fan of brown either, but there are some very nice pieces here. As an aside – I’m loving almost everything from Vince, Madewell, and Veronica Beard are putting out this season. So good!
Earth tones are BACK, baby!
I think of brown as camel, chocolate, all different shades! I love it — less harsh than black and less common.
Funny ,,,,, even though not an admirer of (all sorts) browns, I really love ❤ a cashmere, camel color + oversized/overcoat! They are gorgeous!!
The Vince leather skirt is perfection.
A girl can dream..
I find it fascinating the way colors come in an out of fashion. The current browns connect to the 70’s prairie revival and the 90’s when mixed with pastels. It keeps getting dressed fresh and interesting!
I purchased the Rag & Bone blazer after both you and Andrea Linnett posted it. It is a dream – as comfortable as a cardigan and so sharp looking. Thanks for the help in finding it!
Kim, you should go for it! All it would take is a switch from berry lip color to a more subdued terracotta. (Look at “Freddie” Lip2Cheek by Trinny London for the perfect shade!)
I typically do not like brown either, even though it’s one of my colors (as a person with dark hair and warm skin tones). It reminds me of the 70s, and not in a good way!! I have to say, though, that the very deep browns and camels are growing on me. Loving some of the pieces you’ve posted, particularly the brown and blue dress.
Still not that into brown except for shoes and leather jackets. I find it difficult to match to other colors in my closet, for some reason. Esp. not into painted brown in interior design, except for naturally occurring browns in wood and leather. I don’t count plaid or herringbone patterns in the brown category, my own idiosyncracy. 🤷🏻♀️ There are some nicer uses of brown in this post.
I came from a big family so I wore mostly hand-me-downs. In 7th grade (in 1969) I got a new, just for me coat which looked exactly like that herringbone coat you featured. I loved it!
I too have disliked and owned NO clothes in brown for many moons, but this Fall am finding myself oddly attracted to the colour again… is the media just selling it really well this year? Who knows. But I’m in.
I love a rich chocolate brown like the blazer at top, and I will mix that shade of brown with blue and pink/blush (like in some of the pics above). Very, very nice selection here.
This season Allbirds has a limited edition wool runner in brown and I really like it. When I was thinking about what brown (and brown adjacent) clothes I had, I realized not many. Maybe something in the air…https://www.allbirds.com/products/womens-wool-runners-cocoa-cream
These are excellent, especially the corduroy blazer.
I remember a Sassy magazine fashion spread about the virtues of brown. It said something like, “wearing all black is so cliche. Try brown, instead.” I loved that mag.
I think I’ve become addicted to coats and jackets. In the scheme of things, that’s pretty tame, but still. However, I’m so drawn to the Madewell plaid jacket and the excellent Herringbone coat, and I own nothing like them. (You can see where this is going…)
For me a really deep brown occupies the same mental space as a deep navy blue — maybe because a good dark brown has blue undertones? At any rate, they’re certainly the two most flattering colors on me, while beige-y browns (which I think of as truly earth-toned) wash me out like no one’s business. The problem is that you can rarely find anything in dark brown. If this really is a brown renaissance, I’ll stock up. (Starting with that Veronica Beard blazer if it ever goes on sale for 90% off!)
When I left home at age 18 I swore I would never ever wear anything plaid or brown again because my mother constantly dressed me in little plaid dresses and brown coats. This summer I bought a plaid Frank and Eileen shirt that I LOVE and I find myself hankering after that Rag and Bone blazer. Never say never, eh?
And that Vince cardigan. Oooooo doggy! I’d wear that till it fell apart.
Too much brown in the 1970s. Oh god, will orange, brown, harvest gold and avocado appliances rear their ugly heads again? Kinda hoping they’re gone forever, like dinosaurs.
I love a good avocado green fridge… so good in a nostalgic way.
Strongly agree…..ugh, everything is poop-toned…
However, dark, dark, dark chocolate brown borders on acceptable.