Chocolate brown takes on an entirely new character when it sheds its tailored image and goes soft. This NomadSoul look uses a flowing brown pleated dress as the foundation, the fitted bodice is romantic with gathered detail and the wide long sleeves are sheer, but the really light skirt adds femininity without florals or pastels.
Dainty heels are swapped for knee-high leather boots giving the look more weight. A cream woven tote breaks up the monotone brown aesthetic and gold jewellery and a soft hair ribbon tie it off.
The look is romantic but relaxed and perfect for the changing weather.
The Look
The dress is the piece that has a lot of attention. The soft sweetheart neckline frames the upper body and the gathered centre gives volume, before the skirt falls away.
Pleating provides interest in the brown fabric. As the dress moves, it'll pick up highlights in the pleats, meaning the one colour wouldn't appear dull.
The brown knee-high boots change the vibe of the outfit, to something even more grounded. Structured leather feels strong against the delicate dress and gives the outfit enough weight for a cooler day.
A cream woven shoulder tote is the biggest contrast in the outfit, rather than having a darker piece. It adds neutral weight, making the outfit more suited to daytime wear.
Gold hoops and a simple pendant add warmth and the cream ribbon ties it back to the bag.
The interesting thing about the outfit is that it is not the interplay of contrasting colors, but rather the interplay of different textures.
Pleated fabric, smooth leather, open weave material and shiny gold create different reflections on the surface, and hence allow the fairly restrained palette of colors to remain interesting.
The proportions are also notable.
The dress creates fullness by way of the sleeves and the skirt, but the fitted bodice maintains definition in the center of the outfit. The tall boots then create a clean, structured line near the bottom of the flowing skirts.
It is a nice use of the romantic look that doesn't make the outfit appear too delicate.
Change the Mood With the Shoes
The same dress can be combined with different shoes and create several looks. The knee-high boots make it perfect for the beginning of autumn and warm days in between. Suede ankle boots would make the look more delicate, while loafers may add a touch of school spirit.
For hot weather, minimalistic leather sandals and fewer accessories will work best. More elegant evening sandals with straps and a clutch will give the romantic look of the dress a new meaning.
Styling Tips
Mix up different textures when dressing tonally. Pleats, leather, woven fibres and metal will help to prevent an entirely brown outfit from being flat.
Avoid the temptation to match all browns up together, because chocolate, espresso and cognac can look fabulous when the undertones are matched.
Lighten the palette up with some cream. A single accessory will be enough to create contrast while still being in an earthy colour scheme.
Balance romantic pieces with something a little more structured. Leather boots will give a flowing dress more of a modern edge.
Don't go all out with the jewellery around busy necklines. A pendant and hoops will be enough to add polish without distracting from the gathered bodice.
