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# Black and Brown
- URL: https://thesecondbutton.com/black-and-brown/
- Published: 2022-11-01T13:46:24.000Z
- Updated: 2023-02-07T19:51:23.000Z
- Description: Black and brown. A forbidden combination. Why do people say these colors don't work together? They look *fantastic* together. Like, consistently. Here, I'll prove it.
- Author: Daniel Hakimi
- Tags: inspo, color combinations, branching out, menswear, mens style, brown suit black shoes, #can you wear black shoes with a brown suit, #can you wear black pants and brown shoes, #can you wear brown shoes with black jeans

As you might know by now, I enjoy debunking menswear taboos. You *can* [jet your pockets casually](https://thesecondbutton.com/jetted-pockets/), you *can* [wear blue jeans with black loafers](https://thesecondbutton.com/black-and-blue/), you *can* [wear linen in the fall](https://thesecondbutton.com/heavy-linen/). But one of the more prevalent myths in menswear has to be that you just can't wear black and brown together. Not only do I think you *can* do that, I think they're really a downright fantastic combination. Contrasting the two directly, in almost any shade of brown, consistently gets me going. So [wear white after labor day](https://thesecondbutton.com/orange-creamsicle/) and [let loose](https://thesecondbutton.com/letting-loose/), it's time for some good, simple color inspo.

I'm going to organize this as a slow awakening, peeling back the layers of the taboo one by one:

- [First](#pt1), that you can't wear black and brown together at all. You can and should. They look fantastic together. You'll see knits abound, lulling you into a sense of comfort.
- [Second](#pt2), that you can't wear black shoes and brown pants, or vice versa. London can learn a thing or two, and I've found some fussy old men to teach them.
- And [third](#pt3), that you can't wear black and brown together while you're in tailoring, or in traditional tailoring, or in formal tailoring. You will, by the time I'm done with you.

Warning: There might be some incredibly dark browns here that just look like blacks to me. I don't think those cases really detract from the article, though. Browns will mostly be dark, but cover a range that includes rust and "light browns" or dark tans.

# The Base Matter 

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fc/fe/fcfefa67-252b-4bc7-b907-f2fe841eeab5/content/images/2022/10/Sameer-Sadhu.jpg)

[Sameer Sadhu](https://www.instagram.com/sameersadhu/?ref=thesecondbutton.com)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fc/fe/fcfefa67-252b-4bc7-b907-f2fe841eeab5/content/images/2022/10/daniel-simmons.jpg)

[Daniel Simmons](https://www.instagram.com/imdanielsimmons/?ref=thesecondbutton.com) mixes black and brown quite often.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fc/fe/fcfefa67-252b-4bc7-b907-f2fe841eeab5/content/images/2022/10/Naomi-Elize-e-Editor-Vogue.jpg)

[Naomi Elizée](https://www.instagram.com/naomielizee/?ref=thesecondbutton.com), Editor at Vogue

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fc/fe/fcfefa67-252b-4bc7-b907-f2fe841eeab5/content/images/2022/10/nago_726-2.jpg)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fc/fe/fcfefa67-252b-4bc7-b907-f2fe841eeab5/content/images/2022/10/nago_726-3.jpg)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fc/fe/fcfefa67-252b-4bc7-b907-f2fe841eeab5/content/images/2022/10/nago_726.jpg)

I love [@nago\_726](https://www.instagram.com/nago%5F726/?ref=thesecondbutton.com)'s wide, slouchy silhouettes. Okay, some of his fits might seem... repetitive, but the guy just has consistent style, it's fine.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fc/fe/fcfefa67-252b-4bc7-b907-f2fe841eeab5/content/images/2022/10/no-man-walks-alone---wythe-belt.jpg)

A Wythe belt styled by No Man Walks Alone

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fc/fe/fcfefa67-252b-4bc7-b907-f2fe841eeab5/content/images/2022/10/peter-zottolo-1b.jpg)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fc/fe/fcfefa67-252b-4bc7-b907-f2fe841eeab5/content/images/2022/10/peter-zottolo-1-1.jpg)

[Peter Zottolo](https://www.instagram.com/urbancomposition/?ref=thesecondbutton.com)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fc/fe/fcfefa67-252b-4bc7-b907-f2fe841eeab5/content/images/2022/10/NICK-ARREGUY.jpg)

[Nick Arreguy](https://www.instagram.com/arregvy/?ref=thesecondbutton.com)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fc/fe/fcfefa67-252b-4bc7-b907-f2fe841eeab5/content/images/2022/10/Emma-Chamberlain.webp)

[Emma Chamberlain](https://www.instagram.com/emmachamberlain/?ref=thesecondbutton.com)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fc/fe/fcfefa67-252b-4bc7-b907-f2fe841eeab5/content/images/2022/10/buco-horsehide-jacket.jpeg)

A horsehide jacket from Buco

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fc/fe/fcfefa67-252b-4bc7-b907-f2fe841eeab5/content/images/2022/10/studio-nicholson-2-1.jpg)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fc/fe/fcfefa67-252b-4bc7-b907-f2fe841eeab5/content/images/2022/10/studio-nicholson-3.jpg)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fc/fe/fcfefa67-252b-4bc7-b907-f2fe841eeab5/content/images/2022/10/studio-nicholson.jpg)

Some outfits from Studio Nicholson

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fc/fe/fcfefa67-252b-4bc7-b907-f2fe841eeab5/content/images/2022/10/simon-crompton-2.jpg)

Simon Crompton of [Permanent Style](https://www.permanentstyle.com/?ref=thesecondbutton.com).

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fc/fe/fcfefa67-252b-4bc7-b907-f2fe841eeab5/content/images/2022/10/aaronhu722-4.jpg)

[Aaron Hu](https://www.instagram.com/aaronhu722/?ref=thesecondbutton.com)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fc/fe/fcfefa67-252b-4bc7-b907-f2fe841eeab5/content/images/2022/10/brittanybathgate.jpg)

[Brittany Bathgate](https://www.instagram.com/brittanybathgate/?ref=thesecondbutton.com)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fc/fe/fcfefa67-252b-4bc7-b907-f2fe841eeab5/content/images/2022/10/ethan-open-shirt-1.jpg)

Ethan M. Wong loves black and brown, but you'll see a lot more of that further down.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fc/fe/fcfefa67-252b-4bc7-b907-f2fe841eeab5/content/images/2022/11/r_bak_-slp.jpg)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fc/fe/fcfefa67-252b-4bc7-b907-f2fe841eeab5/content/images/2022/11/adamdraps-slp.jpg)

[r\_bak\_](https://www.instagram.com/r%5Fbak%5F/?ref=thesecondbutton.com) and [adamdraps](https://www.instagram.com/adamdraps/?ref=thesecondbutton.com) in Saint Laurent. Black skinny jeans and sleek tan suede boots are a staple combination of SLP style, and darker browns play in nicely as well.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fc/fe/fcfefa67-252b-4bc7-b907-f2fe841eeab5/content/images/2022/10/hsinhan_seatheworld-2.jpg)

[@hsinhan\_seatheworld](https://www.instagram.com/hsinhan%5Fseatheworld/?ref=thesecondbutton.com)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fc/fe/fcfefa67-252b-4bc7-b907-f2fe841eeab5/content/images/2022/10/Chloe-Miles.jpg)

[Chloe Miles](https://www.instagram.com/chloehelenmiles/?ref=thesecondbutton.com)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fc/fe/fcfefa67-252b-4bc7-b907-f2fe841eeab5/content/images/2022/10/story-mfg.jpeg)

Story MFG

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fc/fe/fcfefa67-252b-4bc7-b907-f2fe841eeab5/content/images/2022/10/oh_hey_its_crow.jpeg)

[@oh\_hey\_its\_crow](oh%5Fhey%5Fits%5Fcrow)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fc/fe/fcfefa67-252b-4bc7-b907-f2fe841eeab5/content/images/2022/10/margaret-howell.jpeg)

Margaret Howell

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fc/fe/fcfefa67-252b-4bc7-b907-f2fe841eeab5/content/images/2022/10/callummullin.jpg)

[Callum Mullin](https://www.instagram.com/callummullin/?ref=thesecondbutton.com)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fc/fe/fcfefa67-252b-4bc7-b907-f2fe841eeab5/content/images/2022/10/South2West8-SS22-cardigan-over-trainer-jacket.jpg)

South2West8

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fc/fe/fcfefa67-252b-4bc7-b907-f2fe841eeab5/content/images/2022/10/dave1.jpg)

[Dave1](https://www.instagram.com/dave1/?ref=thesecondbutton.com) of Chromeo

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fc/fe/fcfefa67-252b-4bc7-b907-f2fe841eeab5/content/images/2022/10/Toshihiro-Yasutake-beams-press-chief.jpg)

[Toshihiro Yasutake](https://www.instagram.com/toshihiro%5Fyasutake/?ref=thesecondbutton.com) and his family, coordinating.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fc/fe/fcfefa67-252b-4bc7-b907-f2fe841eeab5/content/images/2022/10/brown-knit-black-cords.jpeg)

Here, I wore black cords and brown suede loafers with a brown sweater from Uniqlo. Soft textures all around.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fc/fe/fcfefa67-252b-4bc7-b907-f2fe841eeab5/content/images/2022/10/goretex.jpg)

George Costanza in Goretex

# Shoes, surely 

So you've already seen some cases of brown pants with black shoes and vice-versa above. But let's keep going. Some photos focused on the footwear, and even some cases of two-tone footwear that just looks great.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fc/fe/fcfefa67-252b-4bc7-b907-f2fe841eeab5/content/images/2022/10/peter-zottolo-3.jpg)

[Peter Zottolo](https://www.instagram.com/urbancomposition/?ref=thesecondbutton.com)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fc/fe/fcfefa67-252b-4bc7-b907-f2fe841eeab5/content/images/2022/10/mmm-gat.webp)

[The Maison Martin Margiela GAT Replica in Black + Brown](https://www.endclothing.com/us/maison-margiela-22-classic-replica-sneaker-ws0236-p1895-900.html?ref=thesecondbutton.com)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fc/fe/fcfefa67-252b-4bc7-b907-f2fe841eeab5/content/images/2022/10/ginga_ayuha.jpg)

[Ginga Ahuya](https://www.instagram.com/ginga%5Fayuha/?ref=thesecondbutton.com)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fc/fe/fcfefa67-252b-4bc7-b907-f2fe841eeab5/content/images/2022/10/La-Dame.jpg)

[@vasilisa.rv](https://www.instagram.com/vasilisa.rv/?ref=thesecondbutton.com)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fc/fe/fcfefa67-252b-4bc7-b907-f2fe841eeab5/content/images/2022/10/nb-x-jjjjound-miusa-990v3.webp)

New Balance x JJJJound 990v3

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fc/fe/fcfefa67-252b-4bc7-b907-f2fe841eeab5/content/images/2022/10/madeline-harper-fass-vogue.jpg)

[Madeline Harper Fass](https://www.instagram.com/mfass/?ref=thesecondbutton.com), another editor at Vogue.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fc/fe/fcfefa67-252b-4bc7-b907-f2fe841eeab5/content/images/2022/11/urban_sartorialist-boots.webp)

[@urban\_sartorialist](https://www.instagram.com/urban%5Fsartorialist/?ref=thesecondbutton.com)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fc/fe/fcfefa67-252b-4bc7-b907-f2fe841eeab5/content/images/2022/10/out_of_indigo.jpg)

[@out\_of\_indigo](https://www.instagram.com/out%5Fof%5Findigo/?ref=thesecondbutton.com)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fc/fe/fcfefa67-252b-4bc7-b907-f2fe841eeab5/content/images/2022/11/permanentstylelondon-shoes.jpg)

Simon Crompton of [Permanent Style](https://www.permanentstyle.com/?ref=thesecondbutton.com)

# The Only Proper Way 

I like a broad spectrum of tailoring, from casual to straight up formal, and there's no place I've found where brown and black look bad together.

That said, you'll see some patterns. I notice, in particular, a lot of knits—turtlenecks, in particular.

I'll also note that I just don't see a lot of black suits out there. You'll see odd black trousers, but I don't have any relevant inspo with brown suits. I'm sure a brown suit and black knit would work beautifully together, though, try it out and let me know how it goes!

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fc/fe/fcfefa67-252b-4bc7-b907-f2fe841eeab5/content/images/2022/10/simon-crompton.jpg)

Simon Crompton of [Permanent Style](https://www.permanentstyle.com/?ref=thesecondbutton.com)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fc/fe/fcfefa67-252b-4bc7-b907-f2fe841eeab5/content/images/2022/10/ethan-patterned-black-shirt.jpg)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fc/fe/fcfefa67-252b-4bc7-b907-f2fe841eeab5/content/images/2022/10/ethan-brown-linen.jpeg)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fc/fe/fcfefa67-252b-4bc7-b907-f2fe841eeab5/content/images/2022/10/ethan-coat.jpg)

[Ethan M. Wong](https://www.instagram.com/ethanmwong/?ref=thesecondbutton.com)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fc/fe/fcfefa67-252b-4bc7-b907-f2fe841eeab5/content/images/2022/10/brioni.jpg)

Brioni

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fc/fe/fcfefa67-252b-4bc7-b907-f2fe841eeab5/content/images/2022/10/John-Greenacre-Robinson-in-a-Black-Dress-Shirt.jpg)

[John Greenacre Robinson](https://www.instagram.com/johngreenacre/?ref=thesecondbutton.com) has beenrocking a lot of black lately. He can even make black dress shirts look good consistently.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fc/fe/fcfefa67-252b-4bc7-b907-f2fe841eeab5/content/images/2022/10/NOAH-Lookbook-SS22-17_1500x.jpg)

From the Noah SS22 Lookbook

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fc/fe/fcfefa67-252b-4bc7-b907-f2fe841eeab5/content/images/2022/10/buzz-tang-and-vanessa.jpg)

[Buzz Tang](https://www.instagram.com/buzzspoke/?ref=thesecondbutton.com) and [Vanessa](https://www.instagram.com/vanessasmuses/?ref=thesecondbutton.com)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fc/fe/fcfefa67-252b-4bc7-b907-f2fe841eeab5/content/images/2022/10/therefinement_nam.webp)

[@therefinement\_nam](https://www.instagram.com/therefinement%5Fnam/?ref=thesecondbutton.com)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fc/fe/fcfefa67-252b-4bc7-b907-f2fe841eeab5/content/images/2022/10/richardbiedul.jpg)

[Richard Biedul](https://www.instagram.com/richardbiedul/?ref=thesecondbutton.com)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fc/fe/fcfefa67-252b-4bc7-b907-f2fe841eeab5/content/images/2022/10/hsinhan_seatheworld-1.jpg)

[@hsinhan\_seatheworld](https://www.instagram.com/hsinhan%5Fseatheworld/?ref=thesecondbutton.com) popping the collar is a little much for me, but the color breakdown is cool.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fc/fe/fcfefa67-252b-4bc7-b907-f2fe841eeab5/content/images/2022/10/nicklas-nystrom-2.jpg)

[Niklas Nystrom](https://www.instagram.com/nicke.nystrom/?ref=thesecondbutton.com)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fc/fe/fcfefa67-252b-4bc7-b907-f2fe841eeab5/content/images/2022/10/Marc-Jacobs-in-a-Huntsman-suit.jpg)

[Marc Jacobs](https://www.instagram.com/themarcjacobs/?ref=thesecondbutton.com) in a bespoke suit by Huntsman

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fc/fe/fcfefa67-252b-4bc7-b907-f2fe841eeab5/content/images/2022/10/milad-by-jkf.jpg)

[Milad Abedi](https://www.instagram.com/milad%5Fabedi/?ref=thesecondbutton.com)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fc/fe/fcfefa67-252b-4bc7-b907-f2fe841eeab5/content/images/2022/10/scott-fraser-simpson.jpg)

[Scott Fraser Simpson](https://www.instagram.com/scottfrasersimpson/?ref=thesecondbutton.com)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fc/fe/fcfefa67-252b-4bc7-b907-f2fe841eeab5/content/images/2022/10/skyferreiraofficial---thomas.jpg)

[Thomas](https://www.instagram.com/skyferreiraofficial/?ref=thesecondbutton.com), in a fashion take with a brown jacket and black trousers.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fc/fe/fcfefa67-252b-4bc7-b907-f2fe841eeab5/content/images/2022/10/kiyoshi.jpg)

[Kiyoshi Martinez](https://www.instagram.com/kiyoshimartinez/?ref=thesecondbutton.com)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fc/fe/fcfefa67-252b-4bc7-b907-f2fe841eeab5/content/images/2022/10/aaronhu722.jpg)

[Aaron Hu](https://www.instagram.com/aaronhu722/?ref=thesecondbutton.com)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fc/fe/fcfefa67-252b-4bc7-b907-f2fe841eeab5/content/images/2022/10/saman-amel.jpg)

Saman Amel

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fc/fe/fcfefa67-252b-4bc7-b907-f2fe841eeab5/content/images/2022/10/Phil-SFC-Rust.jpg)

[Philip Gregard](https://www.instagram.com/philipgregard/?ref=thesecondbutton.com) in a Scott Fraser Collectoin suit

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fc/fe/fcfefa67-252b-4bc7-b907-f2fe841eeab5/content/images/2022/10/Kenji-Cheung.jpg)

[Kenji Cheung](https://www.instagram.com/mr.winston.ch/?ref=thesecondbutton.com) of Bryceland's

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fc/fe/fcfefa67-252b-4bc7-b907-f2fe841eeab5/content/images/2022/10/db-black-tee-closed-1.jpeg)

My brown DB with a black tee and black chelseas. Partially inspired by Saman Amel above.

# more on the topic.

- [Simon Crompton's Cold Colour Capsule](https://www.permanentstyle.com/2020/12/the-cold-colour-capsule.html?ref=thesecondbutton.com). See also ["What shoes should I wear with brown trousers?"](https://www.permanentstyle.com/2022/05/what-shoes-should-i-wear-with-brown-trousers.html?ref=thesecondbutton.com) If you are too stuffy to accept Simon Crompton's color combos, you might want to examine your perspective.
- [What's On with Mark Cho of The Armoury](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ciHuesVFTg&ref=thesecondbutton.com), talking us through his brown suit, black tie, black loafer combo.
- [Chocolate Eclair: Dark Brown Linen in Tailoring](https://thesecondbutton.com/chocolate-eclair/). Note, particularly, The Anthology's take with black buttons right on the brown suit.
- [“Edgy” Menswear and Wearing Black](https://alittlebitofrest.com/2019/09/02/edgy-menswear-and-wearing-black/?ref=thesecondbutton.com) by Ethan M. Wong

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fc/fe/fcfefa67-252b-4bc7-b907-f2fe841eeab5/content/images/2022/10/garconjon-1.jpg)

[Jonathan Daniel Pryce](https://www.instagram.com/garconjon/?ref=thesecondbutton.com), again. Damn, I love this photo.