2026 Men’s Style Guide

Brown, perhaps more than any colour, has a plethora of mostly outdated style rules attached to it. You’ve probably heard things like ‘no brown in town’, which suggests brown footwear should be kept for country pursuits, or ‘don’t mix brown and black’, which is simply poor advice for all but the most aesthetically illiterate of men.

The truth is, brown is actually incredibly easy to wear. And not only that, it’s one of the biggest colour trends right now.

Pantone’s Colour of the Year in 2025 was ‘Mocha Mousse’ – a sort of soft pastel brown that was everywhere from homewares to the runway, setting the tone for the brown revival that is currently sweeping the globe.

If you want to work more brown into your wardrobe, we’re in full support. This guide will arm you with everything you need to in order to do it right. From the key garments to buy in brown to idiot-proof colour-matching tips – here are the key ways to wear brown for men in 2026.

Key Pieces

Raglan Coat

With its oversized cut and soft, sloping shoulders, this slouchy piece of outerwear is still tailoring adjacent, but much more easy-going than its stiff-shouldered alternatives.

It’s the type of coat you can throw on with anything and everything, and it has the power to make even the most ill-conceived outfits look carefully considered – the sort of thing that will work with anything from tailored trousers to tracksuit bottoms.

Crucially, it looks its best in shades of brown. A block-colour option is fine, but we’d suggest looking for versions with a bit of pattern or texture. A nice tweed in a houndstooth or Prince of Wales check would do nicely.

Suede Jacket

No material showcases deep, rich tones as effectively as suede, making it the perfect canvas for brown. Aside from footwear, the most obvious way to include it in your wardrobe is via a suede jacket.

It’s an investment piece that will set you back a considerable chunk of cash if you buy well, but this is the type of garment you’ll have forever and pass down for the kids to wear long after you’ve gone. Or at least that’s what you can tell yourself.

Admittedly, ‘suede jacket’ is a pretty broad spectrum. For the avoidance of doubt, our favourite styles tend to be those that can be used as a mid-layer or a standalone outer layer. Think bombers, overshirts, truckers and chore coats.

If you want something more substantial, a shearling flight jacket is a good option that’ll serve you well throughout winter.

Overshirt

The simplicity and versatility of an overshirt mean there are very few hues it doesn’t look good in. Brown works well because it pairs with lots of different colours, matching the garment’s easy-to-wear nature.

Materials-wise, cotton twill is always a good shout thanks to its durability and ability to slot into both casual and slightly dressier outfits. If you’re looking for something with a heavier texture, corduroy and wool both work well.

Like suede, the depth of the fabric makes these materials perfect for showcasing rich, dark browns. Go for a classic, workwear-inspired three-pocket style, or opt for something sans pockets for a more minimalist look.

Knitwear

Brown and knitwear are a natural pairing. Whether it’s a fuzzy mohair cardigan, an unassuming fine-gauge crew or a big, chunky fisherman sweater, woollens always work well in brown.

Use them to anchor winter outfits, either creating a bridge between lighter colours or setting the tone for tailored looks.

Tailoring

Brown tailoring has shaken off its old-fashioned reputation and emerged as one of the easiest ways to look considered without coming off overdressed.

Where navy and grey can sometimes feel a bit corporate, brown suits and tailored separates sit in a much more relaxed middle ground. Think soft-shouldered jackets, pleated trousers, and fabrics with a bit of texture.

Mid to dark browns work best here, particularly when rendered in flannel, hopsack or a brushed wool. Lighter shades can look good too, but they tend to skew more seasonal and require a bit more thought.

The beauty of brown tailoring is how well it breaks apart. A brown blazer works just as well with denim or fatigues as it does with matching trousers, while brown tailored trousers are arguably more versatile than their grey counterparts.

Tracksuits

At the opposite end of the spectrum, joggers, hoodies and sweats can look the business in brown too.

Save them for gym days, chilling at home and running errands around town and you can’t go far wrong. Just steer clear of anything overly fitted or baggy, aiming for something in the middle, and go for a nice heavyweight jersey cotton with a bit of structure.

Cords

Corduroy is one of those fabrics that almost demands to be worn in brown. From pale camel to deep conker shades, it just… works. There’s something about the texture and the colour combination that feels inherently right, like denim in indigo or tailoring in navy.

Brown cords work across a surprising number of contexts. A straight-leg, mid-wale pair can easily replace chinos in smart-casual outfits, while wider, softer cuts lean more into the current relaxed silhouette trend.

Boots

If there’s one area where brown has always reigned supreme, it’s footwear. Brown boots, in particular, are about as close to foolproof as it gets. From suede chukkas and desert boots to chunky workaday lace-ups and sleek Chelseas – there’s very little a good brown boot won’t work with.

Suede offers a softer, more casual feel and looks especially good in lighter browns and sandy tones. Leather, on the other hand, comes into its own in darker shades, developing character and patina over time.

The key is matching the boot to the rest of your outfit rather than overthinking colour rules.

Tips For Wearing Brown

Treat It Like Black

Brown works best when it’s treated like a neutral. Use it as a foundation colour, just as you would black, and you’ll see how versatile it can be.

Go Tonal

Tonal outfits are where brown really shines. Mix different shades from the same colour family to create depth and visual interest without leaning too heavily on contrast to do the work.

Mix With Autumnal Shades

Brown is, at its core, an autumnal colour, and it works best with other autumnal shades like burnt orange, maroon, mustard and olive.

If you’re stuck for styling inspo, just mix in a few of these.

Play With Textures

Getting creative with textures is the best way to make brown feel intentional rather than boring. It’s a naturally muted colour, so it benefits from fabrics that add depth or catch the light to give it some energy.

Smooth brown cotton can look a bit lifeless, but the same shade in corduroy, suede or wool suddenly feels richer and more considered.