Whoever Said Black and Brown Can't Go Together Didn't See These 7 Outfits

If you grew up watching shows like What Not to Wear, you probably can remember a list of fashion rules that used to be enforced quite popularly. Don't wear white after Labor Day, and don't mix different patterns… The list goes on. Fashion gives people the space to express themselves, so it brings me joy knowing that these rules have vastly decreased in popularity. One rule that I still found myself listening to is that black and brown can't go together. However, on a scroll through Instagram, I found a slew of outfits that most certainly prove that rule wrong and thought I'd share.

If you, like me, thought black and brown wouldn't go together, the outfits below will inspire you to think differently. The color duo has become my favorite to wear, and after seeing the looks I've rounded up, it may be yours too. 

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(Image credit: @thefrankieshop)

You probably already have a black winter jacket in your collection, but a brown one can be just as useful. Pair it with black slacks and your favorite sneakers and you've got yourself the perfect chic and laid-back look. 

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(Image credit: @annadominguez)

Whenever I wear a brown outfit, I find myself wondering what shoes I could pair with it. Anna proves that black chunky loafers are the perfect pairing for this cozy brown dress.

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(Image credit: @kristengracelam)

A standout fur coat is an easy way to level up any basic outfit, even a black tank and jeans.

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(Image credit: @honeybelleworld)

If there's one look I want to re-create from this roundup, it's this one. Brown leggings aren't something that is commonly styled, but with a sleek trench coat and ballet flats, I'm convinced a pair is what I need in my wardrobe.

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(Image credit: @dawn.tan)

Colorful scarves may be the popular choice currently, but I think a neutral option can act as the perfect winter staple. 

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(Image credit: @thatgirlyusra)

This brown sweatsuit sat in my drawer for months until I decided to put this outfit together. Adding multiple black accessories—a baseball cap, a silk scarf, and leather Converse—brings all the colors of the look together.

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(Image credit: @shhtephs)

When wearing all-black pieces, a contrasting coat is an easy way to pull together a creative 'fit. Normally, people opt for a bright-colored one, but I think a brown one is an underestimated option.

Next, The Designer Bags That Will Reign in 2022, According to Luxury Experts

Associate Fashion Editor
Yusra Siddiqui is an editor who resides in New Jersey but bounces between the suburbs and NYC. (She's a Jersey girl at heart.) After interning at Who What Wear in 2019, she found her way to the team after graduating from LIM College in 2022 with a fashion media degree. She's also spent time writing and working for publications such as Fashionista, Coveteur, and Nylon, but she always knew that Who What Wear was where she was meant to be. When she's on the job, she's perusing runway shows, analyzing the latest thing fellow Gen Zers are up to on the internet, and sharing what she can about the modest-fashion market. You can also catch her dabbling in entertainment, talking about the costume choices of the latest Netflix series or diving deeper into how the plotline affects the viewers in a myriad of ways. Lastly, she likes to create content for Who What Wear's TikTok. Her personal time is spent doing similar but also different things—deep diving into almost every new TV show (Bridgerton, Gilmore Girls, and Stranger Things are favorites), planning her next local getaway (whenever that may be), and reading the latest Emily Henry or Sally Rooney novel in one sitting.