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Un-Fancy

fall outfits, Outfits: Fall

4.7 how to wear black and brown together

10/09/14

fall-capsule-wardrobe-152 fall-capsule-wardrobe-151 fall-capsule-wardrobe-150 fall-capsule-wardrobe-149

I’m just sure that I’m breaking some unwritten fashion blogger rule by wearing this bag every single day.

Is it bad that I’m a little proud of breaking that rule? ;)

On the topic of rule breaking, let’s talk about wearing black + brown together. I searched high and low to find the origin of this rule, but no one seems to know where this rule came from or who said it first. (If you know, do tell — I’m really curious.)

I’m all about wearing brown + black together because I think it’s another way to give an effortless air to your outfit.

If you’re trying this mix for the first time, pulling it off is all about one thing:

Contrast.

You’ll want to pick a lighter shade of brown to pair with black. Here, I’ve got this buttery cognac + black going on. And notice how I sandwiched the cognac bag between the black hat and black shoes? Sandwiching like this is an easy way to give your outfit a look of completion + intentionality if you’ve got more than two black + brown pieces going on.

Pretty straightforward, right?

Hat: Urban Outfitters

Top: American Eagle

Bottoms: Madewell

Shoes: Aldo

Bag: Nordstrom

Necklace: Moulton

Bracelets: Moulton

xo

32 Comments

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Comments

  1. Sarah Petersen says

    October 9, 2014 at 10:41 am

    I love the mix of that black and cognac it just feels so rich and warm and fall! I’m also lovin’ that necklace! Great post! :)

    Reply
  2. Nicolle says

    October 9, 2014 at 10:51 am

    1) Adore the colors in this outfit!

    2) You’re not breaking the rules! I actually really appreciate that you’ve shown the same bag in most of the posts. It speaks to the simplicity and effortlessness of the capsule wardrobe and shows us readers that it’s OKAY to use the same things! Because I totally only have 3 purses and totally gravitate to one more than the others depending on my mood (and let’s be real, how lazy I’m feeling that day). We’re all human and there are far more important things to think about then making sure we’re using different bags each day. ;)

    Reply
    • Jessica says

      October 9, 2014 at 6:57 pm

      I keep it really simple. I buy one expensive bag (usually Marc by Marc Jacobs) and carry it for a couple years. I always take my time and look for “the one.”

      Reply
      • ARC says

        October 12, 2014 at 11:23 am

        Yep! This is what I do, too. I also find that I don’t get sick of that one bag as much as I did with my several cheap bags.

        Reply
  3. Amy Ann says

    October 9, 2014 at 11:22 am

    Found you from another blog and I am so glad I did. I love your style and am really drawn to the idea of a simpler wardrobe full of amazing pieces. Now following and looking forward to seeing your you style your fall capsule.

    xo, Amy Ann
    The Real Arnolds

    Reply
  4. Cathy says

    October 9, 2014 at 11:24 am

    I don’t think cognac counts as brown when it comes to this “rule”. The brown/black and black/navy “rules” are more so you don’t look like you got dressed in the dark by putting on something that looks all one color but is actually not (ie, dark, almost black navy pants with a black sweater). The key to breaking the rule is for it to look intentional – brown pants with a black shirt and black shoes, etc.

    Reply
  5. Laura says

    October 9, 2014 at 11:28 am

    Any Suggestions? I love the look of the heel and the skinny. But baring the ankle in sub zero temperatures risks frostbite and stupidity. How can I wear socks with a heel?

    Reply
    • Tania [girlwithanakita] says

      October 9, 2014 at 11:39 am

      How about heeled booties? I am resorting to that. I love those black shoes of her but my feet get damp at the end of the day if I don’t have socks on.

      Reply
      • Laura says

        October 9, 2014 at 11:57 am

        Agree. The booties work with scrunched socks or low socks.

        Reply
    • Nicolle says

      October 9, 2014 at 11:58 am

      Wear socks with fun prints on them!

      Reply
  6. Tania [girlwithanakita] says

    October 9, 2014 at 11:37 am

    I hate to admit, but growing up I was always anti black + brown. Like it just looks like you don’t know what you’re doing, but then I discovered that soft tan/cognac color and it’s definitely a winning combination.

    Thank you for your simple, every day outfits :)
    It is nice to finally find a fashion blog that reuses things. I always feel inadequate when I find ones with multiple closets and beaucoups of money. They always shame me into shopping for MORE items I don’t need.

    Reply
    • Laura says

      October 9, 2014 at 11:55 am

      I think it’s a lot like mixing gold and silver. I NEVER would have done that a few years ago, but now it’s a GO! I try to find one piece that has both gold and silver (like earrings) and then just go with whatever works that day.

      Reply
  7. julie says

    October 9, 2014 at 11:44 am

    I always thought there was some rule against black and brown, until I decided I didn’t care. Now it’s one of my favorite color combos! I will agree that they have to be far enough apart in shade to look intentional, but I say wear what you want to wear and don’t care what others say!

    xo Julie
    Cap and Gown Style

    Reply
  8. Meghan says

    October 9, 2014 at 12:23 pm

    Cute outfit! Funny, I am wearing a black dress today with cognac boots and carrying the madewell version of your tote bag. I actually don’t own anything that is true brown (apart from my hair :) ), but I love cognac and tans, I think they go with everything.

    Reply
  9. Lisa says

    October 9, 2014 at 12:32 pm

    I think the repeated bag usage means you’ve found a bag that’s just right for you. Success! I never used to wear black and brown together, but now I really like it.

    Reply
  10. Amanda says

    October 9, 2014 at 1:21 pm

    Those shoes are on sale now for 1/2 price! Love your blog and outfits. You’ve made getting dressed in the morning so simple for me!

    Reply
  11. steph says

    October 9, 2014 at 1:57 pm

    Yay finally a picture not looking away from the camera! Sorry – I know this is wayyyy weird! It just seems like a nice way to mix up poses and make a more personal connection with readers.

    Reply
    • kristonlion says

      October 10, 2014 at 3:43 am

      right?!? I was actually shocked to see Caroline’s eyes! They are gorgeous girl! Show ’em off! Also they look great with that sweater!

      Reply
  12. Sophia says

    October 9, 2014 at 2:39 pm

    Such an amazing way to put black and brown together! I love this outfit!

    Sophia | sophiebysophia.blogspot.com

    Reply
  13. Gibson says

    October 9, 2014 at 3:07 pm

    Maybe the rule is no brown and black that are not far enough apart in color from each other- like you put the wrong shirt on instead of meaning to.

    But I totally agree that fashion rules are meant to be tried and broken- that is where all the fun is!

    I too am having an aubergine/cognac/burgundy love affair right now. They so scream fall and leaves on the trees falling.

    Reply
  14. Glenda says

    October 9, 2014 at 3:37 pm

    I see chic men wearing gray flannel slacks and camel-hair jackets or coats a lot this time of year, and it looks really, really good to me. “Style/Fashion Rules” seems like an oxymoron in this day and age–thank goodness! Great look, Caroline!

    Reply
  15. Erika Gibson says

    October 9, 2014 at 4:35 pm

    Now can we get a lesson on wearing heels? I can’t seem to wear/walk in shoes higher than an inch for more than an hour or two :(

    Reply
    • Noor says

      October 9, 2014 at 6:38 pm

      It could be the brands.

      Reply
  16. Noor says

    October 9, 2014 at 6:38 pm

    I am so glad people are not afraid of mixing colors and prints anymore. Fashion has no rules right now and I love it.

    Reply
  17. Sarah says

    October 9, 2014 at 6:57 pm

    Caroline, you are my accessory muse. Last season I collected three bangle bracelets I love, and this season I’ve bought a black floppy brimmed felt hat. So glad yours is making an appearance today, with your effortless shoes and bag. Mixing neutrals as you’ve done is so current, and sandwiching or bookending the cognac between the black on top and bottom makes visual sense. Thanks for the tips to tie accessories together.

    Sarah

    Reply
  18. Elaine says

    October 9, 2014 at 8:17 pm

    I found you thru Jess Lively. I once worked for a beauty company and we all wore black, one of collegues came to a meeting with a dark rich espresso brown boot and it looked smashing…ever since I have been mixing dark brown with black, and navy with black etc. can’t wait to dig thru your site!

    Reply
  19. Allison says

    October 9, 2014 at 8:24 pm

    My favorite bag is black and brown so I feel like it breaks that barrier to any outfit!

    Allison from http://www.mercuteify.com/

    Reply
  20. Tania says

    October 10, 2014 at 12:53 am

    Fantastic outfit and I just love the colour of your jersey. Delicious!!

    Reply
  21. Ania says

    October 10, 2014 at 1:37 am

    I absolutely LOVE your fall capsule! The best one so far, I can’t get enough of it :)

    Reply
  22. Gina says

    October 10, 2014 at 10:03 am

    I am loving all your ideas! Today, though, I’m asking about hair! Simple tips for styling those great waves? Thanks!

    Reply
  23. Alison says

    October 13, 2014 at 11:10 am

    I have been wearing black and brown together since I was born it feels like. Never understood why they wouldn’t go together! It’s one of my favorite color combos of all time.

    XO Alison
    http://www.looksharplansing.com

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Feel the Love (aka Blogger Love: Caroline) – Anna Kay Artworks says:
    February 2, 2016 at 9:02 am

    […] up is my internet icon, Caroline of Unfancy. I’ve read through her entire blog archives twice. She’s a hugely precious human being, […]

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