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Home » BROWN: With 8 Bright Accents

BROWN: With 8 Bright Accents

September 30, 2015
 
I don’t know why we don’t see more brown with bright colors; the colors share the same degree of
saturation, and some of these combinations are pretty nice! 

As always, let’s start with some hard-working basics:
 

Cardigan and shell – J. Crew; trousers – Incotex

Double-breasted – J. Crew; embroidered – San Andres Milano; Trench – Halifax Traders

Earrings – Lauren Ralph Lauren; clutch – Menbur;  flowered flats – Taryn Rose

Faux-wrap – Maison Margiela; tweed – A.P.C. Atelier; Flared – Jil Sander

garnet earrings – Alok Jain; garnet ring – Mahavir;   pumps – Trotters

Sleeveless – Alexander Wang; rollneck – Proenza Schouler; V-neck – Kenzo

 
These colors play together nicely – just a touch of sparkle from a brooch is all I would add here!
 

Brooch – Dolce & Gabbana; boots – Munro;   crossbody bag – Brahmin

Draped – Uniqlo; long sleeve – Tulchan; Sleeveless – Dorothy Perkins

 
 
Yes, all of these are described as shocking pink, but this one doesn’t seem shocking at all to me. I’d describe it as rosy and very flattering.
 

Scarf – Hermes De la Mer au Ciel; earrings – Alexis Bittar;  oxfords – Munro

Jeans – Wrangler;  cropped – Boden; Velvet-corduroy – Gucci

 
As in so many instances, the right scarf makes so much difference.
 

Scarf – Hermes l’Arbre du Vent; bracelet – Nordstrom;  boots – Munro

9-button – Boden;  cascade – DKNY; Dip-dyed – Ferrante

Necklace – Chuleekorn; tote – Longchamp

Down – Dorothy Perkins;  cropped – Forte Forte; Belted – Erika Cavallini

Scarf – Laleh Fayaz; loafers – Nine West;  socks – Hansel from Basel

Tie-front – Iris and Ink; short sleeve – Lanvin; Bow – Moschino

Earrings – Lafonn; bag – Nicole Miller;  loafers – Kristin Cavallari

 
I’m thinking of olive as tomorrow’s neutral!
love,
Janice
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09.30.15 23 Comments

Tags: brights, brown
<<GREY: With 8 Color AccentsOLIVE: With 8 Bright Accents>>

Comments

  1. CK says

    September 30, 2015 at 10:27 am

    I think Brown & Pink as well as Brown & Wine are two of the nicest color combinations out there. Some of the others verge on Autumn Holiday for me (and I am a brown lover). I used to wear it in preference to black before my hair went gray. Now I find navy and gray/silver are more flattering choices for me.

    Reply
    • Beckie says

      September 30, 2015 at 11:46 am

      I, too, prefer brown over black but like you, am finding the more silver my hair goes, the less flattering brown is on top. Navy, grey and plum seems to be the colors I will be turning to more and more.

      Janice, this set is just wonderful. I adore brown.

      Reply
  2. Cornelia says

    September 30, 2015 at 11:18 am

    I have always liked brown as my favorite neutral, and I was lucky that it is so much easier to find in Europe than it is in this country. Only in recent years have I paired it with a brighter color and have been pleasantly surprised. But my preference will always be brown with another soft neutral. However, paired with the right accessories, you have come with some beautiful choices. Brown trousers for this morning….

    Reply
  3. Anonymous says

    September 30, 2015 at 11:23 am

    I lovel brown, and especially liked the brown/green combination above. Your basic pieces are very simple shapes, which keeps the whole thing crisp and avoids it getting too earthy/mother nature, as brown+green can sometimes be.
    Alice

    Reply
  4. KBG says

    September 30, 2015 at 12:04 pm

    This is a pretty collection of pieces and makes me fantasize about having warm coloring so I could wear them. Sadly, brown will always be just a fantasy. I love that you're doing these harder/less common neutrals. I'm looking forward to olive green, and wonder if you might consider teal, plum, and winter white as additional neutrals for fall/winter wardrobes? Whatever you do, I'm sure it will be spectacular!

    Reply
  5. Anonymous says

    September 30, 2015 at 1:15 pm

    Brown is my favourite basic! My everyday look is built upon brown and one extra colour.
    Thanks for the inspiration :)

    I am a warm colour type, so for me dark brown is a good substitute for black. I combine it with red, orange, yellow, gold, green and lighter browns and play with patterns and structure.

    Reply
    • Shrebee says

      September 30, 2015 at 3:21 pm

      Me too !

      Reply
  6. Susan Bybee says

    September 30, 2015 at 1:28 pm

    Brown and blue together is a delight to see.

    Reply
  7. Doré Way says

    September 30, 2015 at 1:37 pm

    Love this series, Janice! Thank you.

    Reply
  8. Sherry says

    September 30, 2015 at 1:50 pm

    Now I am retired, I find I wear mostly a common wardrobe in black and denim with brights. I just added the Eileen Fisher skirted leggings for fall. How about doing these brights with a fall casual common wardrobe? Thanks!

    Reply
  9. Gail says

    September 30, 2015 at 2:31 pm

    Love the depth and luxe of these colors and combinations. You really are a wizard, Janice!

    Reply
  10. Anonymous says

    September 30, 2015 at 2:46 pm

    Brown has been my basic neutral for a very long time, so this set really gives me ideas. You find some of the best unique pieces and your eye for good quality basics is also finely honed. ( if eyes can be honed). This time you have me with the Gucci velvet jeans especially. I just decided that shades of olive is my new neutral so am looking forward to tomorrow big time.
    Deb from Vancouver

    Reply
  11. Elizabeth says

    September 30, 2015 at 3:07 pm

    Another brown girl here. With green, or purple for winter or serious, or even with black. Summer fades to taupe. Loved these combos.

    Reply
  12. Shrebee says

    September 30, 2015 at 3:28 pm

    Janice,
    Thank you, thank you ! We females with warm coloring sometimes find it more challenging to find a variety of options in our colors when shopping. I once read that is because more women exist that look good in black. Since black is so ubiquitous, and offerings are many, I wish I could wear it, but it just makes me look like death warmed over. Thank you again for your generous and versatile consideration for we warm toned folks !

    Reply
    • Shrebee says

      September 30, 2015 at 3:43 pm

      Oh, I forgot to tell you –from faithfully following your beautifully illustrated wardrobe mix-and-match roulette posts, I have just packed for 6 days of grand kid watching in an under-the-seat carry-on plus a tote. And it isn't just jeans and tee shirts, I like to feel a bit stylish even for so simple of a trip. Unheard of for me ! I keep going lighter and more happily –it has become a bit of a game for me to figure out how to pack lightly and yet still feel that I have plenty of options ! I happily hold you totally responsible, dear lady, thank you again! Even my husband has noticed that my luggage I use is getting smaller and smaller and lighter to load in the car on the way to and from the plane !

      Reply
    • Amy says

      September 30, 2015 at 6:37 pm

      Many of us here are closer to achieving packing nirvana thanks to Janice!

      Reply
  13. Gail Finke says

    September 30, 2015 at 5:12 pm

    These are such fun posts. Great to see how the same signature pieces looke with differnet colored basics!

    Reply
  14. Carol says

    September 30, 2015 at 6:12 pm

    Janice your creativity is mind-boggling! I cannot see beyond my nose. cannot wait to try some of these combos out! Especially since the heat/humidity wave will hopefully break here soon in L.A.–thanks!

    Reply
  15. natruss r says

    September 30, 2015 at 1:25 pm

    I love this, I'm wearing brown today with coral and have been looking for a brown shorter cardigan for what feels like forever, I will have to check out J. Crew!! Thanks for this, lots of great inspiration

    Reply
  16. SewRuthie says

    September 30, 2015 at 8:47 pm

    I am loving the brown base here. Great for me another warm but deepish person.

    Reply
  17. Leslie Woolums says

    September 30, 2015 at 8:40 pm

    Janice, thanks for bringing brown to the forefront! I really like it with lilac and lavender too.

    Reply
  18. lrlincks says

    October 1, 2015 at 9:12 pm

    I love that gold blouse! Beautiful! I like brown, but I have so much black. I can wear brown too but it just really isn't in my plan any more. I really have always thought I was a "warm" just not sure. LOL. Thanks again Janice!

    Reply
  19. Laura Gittlen says

    February 20, 2023 at 3:57 pm

    For me, dark and slate blue are the perfect combination, one I have almost never seen anywhere but on me.
    My hair is brown, my skin and lips are pinkish, and my eyes are brown in the center and slate blue around the edges. Jeans and brown boots and jacket make a perfect outfit, whether the top underneath is in a light or dark tone. My second neutral is navy, and all of my browns and patterns go with it. I even have blue suede shoes. My signature combination is so easy to shop for―a quick glance down a row of clothing shows me whether there are any possibilities. Since I have the basics, I pretty much only look for slate-blue and brown patterns, or possible upgrades in style or material. I, too, love scarves and you can imagine how amazing it is to find ones in blue and brown!
    I love your articles and illustrations. So much good information! You are the go-to for anyone looking for ideas.

    Reply

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The Vivienne Files is a unique personal style blog with carefully-selected capsule wardrobes based on color palettes drawn from works of art, nature, and more. It helps women buy less clothing, and to love what they buy. Read more...
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