Our favourite brown fashion pieces on the high street

If you’re looking for a colour palette that can transition you from winter through to spring and even into the summer, brown could be your best friend. The earthy neutral shade range has been everywhere in recent months, from celebrity fashion to the catwalks of Paris. Pantone named “mocha mousse” its colour of the year for 2025, describing it as “capturing a global mood of connection, comfort, and harmony”. Put simply, it’s a warm and earthy tone that offers a neutral versatility.

While black isn’t going anywhere, brown is a softer alternative that can also be paired with olive green, khaki, yellow, pink, and dusky blue.

You’d be forgiven for thinking it’s more of a winter colour, but in recent seasons, we’ve seen brown swimwear and beachwear collections (with British beachwear designer Hunza G releasing bikinis and swimsuits in every shade from chocolate to rust) and linen wardrobe essentials for summer in various shades of the spectrum.

In anticipation of 2025, mocha was spotted on the runway of several designer showcases, including the Balmain SS25 Ready to Wear collection, the Chloé Ready to Wear Fall Winter 2024 collection, and the Prada SS25 Ready to Wear show. The shade has also become something of a hit in affordable ranges at popular high street retailers, including Next, Roman, and Marks and Spencer. Nobody’s Child even launched an entirely chocolate brown edit earlier this year.

If you want to test out the trend yourself but don’t know where to start, I’ve asked our editorial team to select a few of their favourite staple pieces available on the high street right now (and chucked in some of the items I’m lusting after for good measure). 

This Marks and Spencer Short-Sleeve Top gets a double tick from me, as it combines two trends – brown and texture. The muted shade offers an understated look that will work all year round, and I love any detail that elevates a plain outfit, so the texture is an easy win.

I would style this for the evening, paired with some classic black jeans. To take the look into spring, you could pair it with linen trousers and trainers.

This wearable midi-length dress is a rare sale-find for Reiss, available for under £70. It’s a perfect work-appropriate outfit paired with ballet flats and a blazer, which I could transition into evenings out by throwing on a leather jacket and boots. I really like the ruching detail, as it skims over the stomach area and accentuates the waist. 

Head of Affiliates Sally Newall has opted for a Marks and Spencer jumper on the lighter end of the brown spectrum. She explained: “I find darker browns drain my pale skin whereas shades of beige are much more flattering – and an oatmeal rollneck goes with everything. I wear mine with jeans, black trousers, skirts and over dresses.

“Yes, cashmere is a splurge, but I have found M&S lasts as well as much more expensive brands if you look after it. Plus, this one can go in the machine.”

Brown might not be your usual go-to shade when it comes to jeans, but it’s the perfect way to combine brown into your everyday wadrobe. The cut of this Roman pair is really on-trend thanks to the slightly cropped length and wide leg, both of which are universally flattering.

I’d pair these with a t-shirt and knitted sweater vest layered on top, or create a tonal look by matching them with a suede jacket for a 70s-inspired feel.

The Henley Neck Jumper from Marks and Spencer makes a perfect layer for spring, and I love the button-down neckline. Though it costs less than £40, I think the ribbed detail makes the top look more expensive than it is. A classic staple, I feel like this top is just begging to be paired with denim, whether it’s dark blue wide-leg jeans or a light blue denim midi skirt for spring.

Our Shopping Editor, Aimee Robinson, loves pyjamas, and what’s better than a pair of pyjamas that you can transition into lots of other outfits?

She said: “Damson Madder are still a fairly new brand, having launched in 2020 with a focus on sustainability. I absolutely love their whimsical style, and I’m a sucker for a big collar.

“Couple that with the fact I love pyjamas, and this brown and pink set from the brand has stolen my head. Yes, they’re a little on the pricier side, but as well as being a fancy pair of pyjamas for wearing at home, the set can be mixed and matched into multiple different outfits. I’d wear the top as a statement collar blouse with a pair of jeans and ballet flats.” 

Sometimes, you just need to invest in basics, but what sets this vest apart from others is the slight sheen to the soft touch fabric, giving a similar vibe to tops from the brand SKIMS – but for a fraction of the price.

The neutral mink shade of this would pair with most colours and could be dressed down or up.  I would use it as a base layer and throw a cardigan over, or dress it up with gold jewellery for a more dressy occasion.

I’ve got my eye on this Nobody’s Child shirt jacket for the weeks transitioning from winter into spring. The slightly flared sleeves, boxy fit and patch pockets make this piece an all-rounder, and the brushed fabric contains some wool, which should give just enough warmth for chilly evenings.

I’d balance out the boxy fit with some tapered trousers, or a structured mini-skirt. The jacket would work for lots of different occasions, and it wouldn’t look out of place on a dog work, paired with leggings and a jumper.