Undeniably effortless, versatile, and warm, it’s a welcome softer substitute to our otherwise-ordinary black staples. And if you couldn’t get enough of chocolate brown this past winter, you’ll breathe a sigh of relief when you hear neutral colors are ruling the runways this Spring, thanks to Pantone naming ‘Mocha Mousse’ Color of the Year.
If we took any learnings from fashion week, it has to be just how easy this warm hue is to style: it’s an effortless swap for your go-to black pieces that adds a little extra depth, warmth and a whisper of ‘quiet luxury’ to any outfit.
So a word of advice: Whether lifting is on your agenda, a hot girl walk or a matcha date, let brown be the color you reach for this season. We’ve handpicked the best brown outfit ideas, with styling tips and exclusive intel on the latest color trend from our very own Stylists here at Gymshark.
Let’s dive into the world of the mocha mousse, chocolate brown, and all shades in between. This is your ultimate masterclass in how to style brown.
When it comes to nailing 2025 fashion trends, look no further than brown, for your new shade selection. It’s the color that’s stepped up to rival your classic blacks and chic greys, and we’re here for the subtle warmth that brown clothing can bring to an outfit.
"Brown really is a great colour to use in everyday styling, its versatility flatters a wide range of skin tones, making it a great shade to enhance your wardrobe." , mentions Alanya French Barnbrook, Senior Stylist at Gymshark.
Mocha leggings, warm brown sweatsuits and chocolate leather jackets are perfect for piecing together your earthy gym fits, weekend looks and elevated outfits. From full monochrome to subtle accents that warm up your outfit, we’ve pulled together our favorite brown outfit ideas so you can get the look without the guesswork.
Ready to lean into this season's coziest hue?
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Brown Outfit Ideas | How To Style The Warmest Color Of The Season
Brown on Brown Gymspo
Wearing: GS x Whitney Adapt Seamless in Archive Brown
Wearing: Corset Seamless in Heritage Brown
Wearing: GS x Whitney Adapt Seamless in Archive Brown
Wearing: Corset Seamless in Heritage Brown
We’ve done the all-black gym fit and we think it’s time to switch things up. Brown on-brown outfits are having a major moment, and honestly? They hit different. Black might be classic, but chocolate tones elevate a fit to a whole new level, giving an ‘I just threw this on and still look put together’ energy. Effortless.
Start with a matching brown gym set, think brown seamless leggings and a matching sports bra in a rich Mocha shade like our Adapt x Whitney Animal Seamless collection. Layer up for your warm-up reps with a cropped brown hoodie or fitted zip-up, and if you’re feeling bold why not mix different tones of brown (lighter mocha leggings and deep brown hoodies) to create subtle dimension without breaking the color story?
Styling Tip: Pair your brown set with black Converse (a firm favorite for lifting) and hit the mark for black and brown outfit styling. Or choose white sneakers and neutral accessories for a clean, crisp finish.
Soft Brown Athleisure
Wearing: GS x Leana Deeb Oversized T-shirt in Soul Brown
Wearing: GS x Leana Deeb Oversized T-shirt in Soul Brown
If women’s tracksuits are your thing and you love sitting cozy in an oversized hoodie and joggers, brown might just be the next new neutral you want to add to your rotation. Casually chic, brown-on-brown athleisure-wear is ideal for rest days, coffee runs or post-gym errands, keeping you bang on trend with minimal effort.
Our Rest Day Sweats collection features soft brown tonal matching sets in a slouchy fit for a relaxed take on a brown-on-brown outfit. There are few clothing items comfier than a tracksuit, and when it comes to airport fits and casual streetwear styling, they’re the blueprint. Pair with caps, sporty crew socks and sneakers for a full athleisure look, and for a preppy touch to the outfit, why not add elements of plaid or pinstripes?
"If you're nervous about styling brown, think about treating it as a neutral—just like black. It’s easy to mix into your wardrobe and works effortlessly with softer hues like creams, stone tones, and subtle pinks," suggests Alanya.
Styling Hack: Accessories are everything when it comes to making athleisure outfits - layer delicate jewellery and brown-toned sunglasses to subtly elevate the look. Or add a claw clip and a brown tote for the ultimate casual but cute girl-on-the-go look.
Chocolate For The Weekend
@analiscruzx wears Soft Sculpt in Walnut Brown
@analiscruzx wears Soft Sculpt in Walnut Brown
Brown isn’t just cute for working out in, it’s quickly becoming the go-to colour for chic weekend fits too. Whether it’s a bodysuit, fitted cardigan, or chunky sweater, a touch of brown brings an understated yet sophisticated vibe for brunch, running errands or a casual date night.
For instance, you could take a cozy brown sweater and style it with black flare leggings. "We love the contrast of deep chocolate brown against black-it adds instant depth to your look while keeping it sleek and sophisticated”, our stylist says when asked about shade pairings.
Add some cohesive accessories like dark boots, a black crossbody and brown sunglasses to tie the look together. The beauty of this combo? It’s unbelievably versatile. Meaning whatever your weekend plans look like, your brown outfit can be styled for the occasion. Dress it up with sleek hoops and a slick-back bun, or keep it casual with a messy hair clip and minimal styling. Either way, you’ll look like you’ve stepped straight off Pinterest.
Styling Tip: If you’re just warming up to the notion of pairing black and brown together, consider using patterns that mix both colors as a stepping stone. Think plaid blazers, check tops or animal prints that blend brown and black tones.
Pop Of Brown
Not quite ready to commit to a full-blown fit? No problem. An easy way to tap into the brown trend is by adding subtle accents to your existing wardrobe. Think brown socks or tights peeking out of your sneakers, deep chocolate tote bags or even brown or tortoiseshell sunglasses. It’s low-effort but still super on-trend - you can’t go wrong.
For gymspo, try pairing your usual black gym set with a pair of brown crew socks - it’s a small touch that instantly warms up your outfit, deepening the tones compared to the usual bright white socks that are popular. Or, if you’re heading out for the day in your fav casual outfit, throw on a brown slouchy bag, a brown baseball cap or even use brown-toned makeup for an artful way to introduce the color into your style.
Our Fave Accessory Combos:
Gym Fit: Black leggings and top set + brown crew socks + neutral trainers
Errands Fit: Black oversized tee + brown cap + brown crossbody bag
Coffee Date: Cream sweater + brown scarf + gold jewellery
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"We’re seeing brown being styled with fresh color pairings this Spring. Brown-butter yellow, brown-baby blue, and brown-deep burgundy are all combinations that we expect to see more of." says Alanya.
What Colors Go Well With Brown Clothes?
Brown On Brown
Layering different shades of brown creates a grounded, sophisticated look. As Fran highlights "A matching brown set is the easiest way to style the brown-on-brown look and is perfect for the more simple, sleek and minimalistic style girls.".
"However, if you're looking to add a little more depth to your look, start with the matching set as your base and introduce layering pieces" adds Alanya, our Senior Stylist. "You can keep it monochromatic by choosing layers in the exact shade as your base, or opt for different tones such as bitter chocolate, latte coffee, and rich walnut to add an extra bit of dimension to the look."
Brown & Neutrals
For a refined and effortless look, pairing brown with other neutral tones like beige, cream and grey is a foolproof choice. These shades work harmoniously with brown - creating a soft, warm palette that's never too overpowering.
"Neutrals allow the richness of those brown tones to stand out, making it a perfect combo for those who prefer a minimalistic look, or for those who are just starting out with adding color into their wardrobe." Fran mentions. Her tip? "Treat brown as a neutral itself, and bring in those soft colors like greys and creams to help keep things simple.".
Brown & Black
Brown and black may seem like unlikely colors to pair together, but when done thoughtfully, this combination lends itself to creating a powerful and refined look.
To make this combination work, think about the different undertones in both colors: a deep espresso brown works beautifully with jet black for a bold, high-contrast look. On the other hand, a lighter tan or a caramel brown paired with charcoal black creates a more subtle, relaxed feel. The key is to consider the balance of the warm, earthy brown against the cooler, more polished black sets that you might be wearing.
Brown & Butter Yellow
When done right, brown and butter yellow can come together to create a warm, inviting palette that radiates soft, comforting energy.
To make this pairing work, focus on using soft, buttery yellow tones that aren't too bright or overpowering. Think of light, muted shades of yellow that have a warm, almost caramel-like richness to them. These shades of yellow work in perfect harmony with brown, creating an inviting and cozy aesthetic. Whether you’re combining deep chocolate brown with a warm mustard yellow, or a light refresh yellow with golden highlights, this pairing feels luxurious without being too bold.
Brown & Baby Blue
Brown and baby blue create a refreshing, soft contrast that offers a sense of calm when it comes to styling your outfit. The warm, grounded tones of brown pair effortlessly with the cool, light qualities of baby blue, making this a perfect combination for those looking to introduce color without overwhelming their look.
When styling brown with a color like baby blue, consider the tones of brown that you can wear and how that'll work against the soft, pastel hues of your blue gym set. The contrast between the colors will bring out the best in both, with brown serving as a solid, neutral base and the light blue adding an airy quality. This combination works beautifully in casual looks or more relaxed, daytime outfits, giving off a fresh and easy vibe.
FAQs
What Are The ‘Rules’ To Wearing Shades Of Brown
There aren’t strict rules when it comes to styling brown, and we’re way past the outdated idea that black and brown shouldn’t be worn together, but we can offer you a few tricks to make styling brown effortless:
Play with tones: if you want to achieve a multi-dimensional tonal look that feels intentional rather than accidental, we recommend mixing different shades of brown (mocha, caramel, chocolate, tan) for a deliciously brown ensemble.
Balance textures: combining smooth and textured fabrics (e.g ribbed leggings with a soft fleece hoodie) is a great way to bring visual interest to a brown outfit, and make it look dynamic rather than flat.
Consider brown as a neutral: just like black, brown works with pretty much everything. Use it as a base colour and pair with pother neutrals and soft pops of colour.
Choose the right undertones: every shade of brown is different; cool tones browns like taupe and mocha suit cooler skin tones while warmer browns like chocolate and caramel enhance warmer skin tones. Try different shades of brown on in the fitting room to figure out the right brown for you.
What Colours Should You Not Wear With Brown?
While brown is a versatile color, there are some pairings that can feel outdated or overly harsh:
Neon colors don’t go very well with brown (unless very carefully styled) as the bright fluorescent shades can clash with brown’s earthy grounded tones.
Certain cool tone colors like pastels (baby pink, icy blue, lavender) can clash with warmer tones of brown and throw the outfit off.
Dark shades like deep purples and navy blues can can create a bit of a heavy look when paired with brown, where the colors get a little lost together.
Does Black Go With Brown?
A controversial colour combination that was once regarded as a fashion faux pas–but black and brown can go together, whether it’s pairing black with a chocolate brown for a cohesive, monochromatic outfit, or with a lighter brown for more depth and statement.
When styling black and brown together, consider the following:
Create balance in your outfit between black and brown: rather than having a brown outfit and a black shoe, or a black outfit and a brown bag, ensure there is a good amount of both colors throughout your outfit from head to toe.
Experiment with pairing different textures: e.g. a knit jumper or leather pants to create an elevated look that will make working with these two colors much easier.
Try prints as an easy way to blend the two colors: choose a plaid or animal print that has a mix of both black and brown, allowing your solid colors to coordinated more cohesively.
