Listen, I am someone who loves wearing color but I am trying to be more intentional with the color combos of my outfits. Until recently, for years, red and brown would have been filed under “colors that should not touch.” But last month, I did a fun post on the best colors to wear with chocolate brown and it really inspired me to think outside of the box when it came to spicing up the color combos of my daily looks.
What makes red and brown work for me so easily is that it turns out I already have an abundance of both of these colors in my closet. I just never really thought to wear them together…until now.
Sweater (S) | Satin Pants (S) | Mesh Mary Janes (7.5) | Handbag | Polka Dot Top (S) | Red Jeans (27) | Striped Sweater (M) | Lace Skirt (S)
Turns Out Red + Brown Is The Color Combo I Can’t Stop Wearing (Here Are 7 Outfits)
Here’s why red and brown together just works: brown does the job that navy and black usually do, but warmer, which I love, and the red stops my outfit from reading “serious accountant,” which we all know that I am not. The trick is picking your red and committing (and not overdoing it, which is a struggle for me): a bright tomato red against a chocolate brown, or a deep brick red with a pair of darker burgundy-brown satin pants. Below are seven outfits I’ve actually worn out of the house: suede, satin, track pants, and just to be a little bit on the daring side of things, even a pair of red Madewell jeans. Plus, the same stunner of a Quince suede handbag for each outfit because I have no intention of putting it down until spring!
Outfit 1: Fitted Red Sweater + Free People Faux Suede Barrel Pants + Suede Ballet Flats
Sweater (S) | Pants (27) | Ballet Flats (7.5) | Handbag
Who would have thought a pair of faux-leather Free People barrel pants would spark an entire fall wardrobe overhaul?? I guess I should have known because these pants are really good and it turns out all this outfit needed to look complete was a fitted tomato red cashmere sweater (plus brown suede ballet flats and a handbag in similar enough shades of brown…if you squint hard enough).
A moment for this Quince Bea Suede Shoulder Bag that I just got in. As someone who is very, very picky about their handbags and also super hard on them (and who still relies heavily on their Rebecca Minkoff Julian Backpack more than ten years later and counting!!) getting a new bag for me, is like, a pretty big deal. My “new bag” money usually ends up going towards a pair of designer jeans or boots because I simply ask too much of my handbags: they need to be able to withstand a beating from my VERY Type-B personality, coupled with chronic and unmedicated ADHD, on the daily. So, I need a bag that is TOUGH, will last forever, is easy to use, and of course, is super cute. This bag meets all those requirements for me. And it is just big enough to fit all my essentials. Yay! Happy dance for my new bag!
Outfit 2: Free People Suede Jacket + Vintage Jeans + Fitted Red Sweater + Suede Ballet Flats
Jacket (M) | Sweater (S) | Similar Vintage Jeans | Ballet Flats (7.5) | Handbag
This Free People Starry Eyes Suede Jacket is absolute suede leather jacket goals. It’s gorgeous and so well-made. I love the retro-inspired ’70s vibe of this medium-weight leather stunner of a jacket. It’s the perfect warm brown color to add to my forever closet. It seamlessly fits in with all my favorite pieces, including my vintage Wrangler jeans, a pop of red, and my new suede handbag. Another coffee-shop-approved fit!
Outfit 3: Stripe Crewneck Sweater + Wayf Satin Wide Leg Pants + Leopard Mesh Mary Janes
Sweater (S) | Pants (S) | Mary Janes (7.5) | Handbag
What I love about this outfit is it looks WAAAAAY more expensive than it is! Combined, this sweater and these pants together only cost around $100 (both pieces are on sale right now)! This was the perfect outfit for browsing one of my favorite antique stores in Grand Rapids: The Elevated Market. If you are in town, it is definitely worth a visit, and then head next door to their sister business: The Glasshouse Antique Warehouse!
Outfit 4: Brown Oversized Sweater + adidas Track Pants + Leopard Print Ballet Flats
Sweater (M) | Track Pants (M) | Mary Janes (7.5) | Handbag
Ahhh, the perfect chilly, early fall rainy day stop at my local Starbucks called for a cozy red + brown outfit: an oversized chocolate brown sweater and some comfy adidas track pants. Also, these adidas track pants are currently 25% off at Nordstrom for under $65! Also available in ‘Night Indigo’ and in black!
Outfit 5: Polka Dot Mesh Shirt + Madewell Baggy Crop Jeans + Mesh Mary Jane Flats
Top (M) | Jeans (27) | Mary Janes (7.5) | Handbag | Sunglasses
I took a chance on these red Madewell jeans when I saw that they went on sale at Nordstrom, and I am so glad I did! I love the low-slung fit and they are exactly the pop of color my fall wardrobe needed. Thankfully, they look adorable with just about every brown item I own, including this Z Supply Polka Dot Top that has been in my weekly rotation since July. I love that it is so lightweight and breathable. It’s the comfiest cute top I own!
Sweater (M) | Jeans (27) | Mary Janes (7.5) | Handbag
Case in point…these jeans looked just as cute with an oversized brown sweater thrown on over my Z Supply Top when the temp dipped in the afternoon!
Outfit 6: Raglan 90’s Baby Tee + Open Edit Satin Maxi Skirt + Leopard Mesh Flats
Tee (S) | Skirt (S) | Mary Janes (7.5) | Handbag
Is this skirt actually burgundy? Perhaps! I’m going to call it “burgundbrown.” Although the actual color name is “brown seal.” This Open Edit skirt has been another welcome addition to my early fall wardrobe. It looks so cute paired with this Cotton On ’90s Baby Raglan Tee and the skirt is ALSO on sale (like so much good stuff in this post) for around $50! It’s giving Reformation vibes for a third of the price! I also have been pairing this skirt with a pale blue oversized sweater and I am loving that color combo, too.
Outfit 7: J.Crew Tiny Rollneck Sweater + Lace Trim Mini Skirt + Mesh Leopard Flats
Sweater (M) | Skirt (S) | Mary Janes (7.5) | Handbag
Confession: I have an antiquing problem. This is me visiting another antique warehouse that I love in Grand Rapids. Who would have thought that being surrounded by other people’s dusty, old, weird lil’ knick-knacks would be my happy place? But it is! A girlfriend and I are thinking of renting our own antique stall, but that would mean having to sell off some of my own beloved collection of weird lil’, old knick-knacks and that makes me…less happy. But the good news is: this skirt is also on sale and is currently only $36.75 at Nordstrom (it runs small, so size up).
Thanks so much for reading! Any questions you have for me, or content you’d like to see me cover, lemme know! Until next time,
xo, Jess ( My Instagram | More of My Posts )
