The Brown Renaissance: Highlighting the Color of the Year

It’s not your imagination — you’ve been seeing brown everywhere this year. Last December, Pantone crowned Mocha Mousse as the Color of the Year, a warm, chocolatey brown that feels like it was brewed straight from your favorite café. It’s part of a larger shift toward grounded, sensory palettes that make you want to touch everything.

Sure, brown used to get a bad rap. It was the color of choice for those wide-lapeled, double-knit suits from the ’70s — more disco than dapper. But today? Brown’s having a full-blown renaissance. It’s become a true neutral, easily wearable head-to-toe or sprinkled through your wardrobe like cinnamon on a latte.

When you’re working brown into your rotation, pair it with drab-but-dashing tones like olive, beige, khaki, white, navy, or grey. We’re not huge fans of the black-and-brown combo — they’re both statement neutrals that deserve their own spotlight.

And remember, you don’t need to go full cocoa mode with brown jackets, pants, and shirts. Sometimes the best move is in the details — think belts, ties, socks, pocket squares, or, of course, a killer pair of leather shoes.

We’ve rounded up five standout Mocha Mousse-inspired pieces to help you channel the color of the year into the moody seasons ahead.

The smoothest operator in the accessories drawer

Hopefully, it didn’t take brown becoming “the color of the year” for you to finally grab a brown belt — but if it did, great. You’re now in possession of the number-one accessory every guy should own.

Classic Leather Chocolate Brown Belt, $38

One, belts serve a clear utility: keeping your britches from taking a dive south. Two, always size up. Pant sizes are based on your waist, but belt sizes are measured from the buckle to the middle hole — meaning it needs a little extra runway to go around your waistband, not just sit inside it. Three, a brown belt completes the holy trinity of menswear: a blue oxford, pressed khaki chinos, and a navy blazer. It’ll also keep everything in line when you’re wearing vintage jeans or ripped-to-shreds fatigues.

The warmest way to wear brown without blending in

Brown can sometimes feel a little stale when paired with a T-shirt or basic cotton sweatshirt. But swap in a wintery texture like Merino wool, and suddenly the color’s got a pulse. A sweater polo, usually a cold-weather essential in navy or black, takes on a refined retro vibe in a rich chocolate shade.

Pair it with ecru jeans, khaki chinos, or even some blue dress slacks — brown plays well with others. Button it all the way up, toss on a navy blazer, and boom — you’ve got an elegant, relaxed look. Perfect for when you “accidentally” forget your tie on that business trip.

Retro Diamond Cafe Polo, $78

The socks to help put your best foot forward

Socks are the unsung heroes of any outfit. Denim on denim? Hit it with a pop of red socks. Going all beige? Navy socks, easy win. You get the idea.

Winter Cardinal Brown Dress Socks, $12

When it comes to brown socks, sticking with the neutral fundamentals will take you straight to the promised land. Picture this: a navy suit, brown socks, and sandy desert boots — a whole vibe. Or try a full-on brown corduroy suit (Wes Anderson-stolen valor optional) with a rich brown texture peeking through your shoes. That’s understated, intentional style at its finest.

Socks shouldn’t be overlooked — they’re often the quiet anchor holding a fire outfit together.

A masterclass in subtle pattern play

As mentioned with the sweater polo adding texture to brown, the same goes for a polka-dotted necktie. Whether you’re rocking a navy wool suit or a charcoal number, a playful tie like this can make a serious, heavyweight fabric feel a little less boardroom and a little more like you actually enjoy your life. 

Bulletin Dot Chocolate Brown Tie, $28

If you’re pairing it with a light blue or white dress shirt, the magic happens in the necktie — it’s what gives each shirt that pop, that wink, that something extra. The rule of thumb? The more serious the suit, the more playful the tie should be. 

The side dish of fits that’s never loud, but always noticed

Fall weddings usually lean into darker tones — it’s just what the season demands. If you’re lucky enough to snag a plus-one invite, reach for a navy corduroy or a trusty three-season suit. Add a crisp white dress shirt and a brown pocket square, and you’ve officially entered a failsafe territory. 

Como Solid Chocolate Brown Pocket Square, $44

Why does it work? Well, if your date shows up in something from the burgundy family, that brown square will contrast beautifully. Plus, opting for chocolate over the usual white pocket square? That’s not just accessorizing — that’s grad school for style.

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