Introduce a shot of coffee-inspired tones from espresso and cappuccino to creamy latte, to invigorate your wardrobe. The AW23 runways saw a colour palette more muted than in recent seasons. Instead of jewel tones and vibrant brights on the runway, designers embraced tonal dressing with espresso shades below the waistline and creamy latte layers above, mimicking a well-poured flat white.
Miu Miu elevated everyday staples, mixing rich mocha with caramel, while at Prada the palette was restrained with an Americano blazer teamed with a milky miniskirt. Saint Laurent chose delicate shades of coffee grounds in leather and chiffon.
Like a slow-drip, this trend has been brewing for a couple of seasons with brown now rivalling black as the go-to shade when you want something simple and chic. If you’re new to brown, start with accessories. Try swapping black ankle boots for brown. Aeyde’s square-toe mocha style works with dresses and trousers, (£395), and Arket’s stretch leather pair is buttery soft (£229). A brown handbag looks elegant with a neutral coat or fab with a tweed or check blazer: Charles and Keith’s Cesia bag with minimal gold hardware is a great Gucci-inspired dupe (£89).
Go for the double-shot approach with a coat or dress. Try Aligne’s Gilda trench (£189), Kitri’s faux-leather mac (£220) and Cos’s power-shoulder midi dress (£89), worn with brown boots. If head-to-toe tonal is not your cup of java add a contrasting bold colour like red to your browns (as spotted at Ulla Johnson), or style your dark brown jacket over a pink shirt, adding a jolt of colour to a tailored look. Just don’t spill your actual coffee on your outfit.
1. Coat, £35.99, zara.com
2. Jumper, £87, arket.com
3. Satin skirt, £44, boden.co.uk
4. Ballet pumps, £35.99, mango.com
5. Boots, £395, aeyde.com
6. Bag, £210, jigsaw-online.com
7. Bracelet £110, Loewe, selfridges.com
