WearsMyMoney

I was going to title this ‘brown doesn’t have to be boring’, but then I felt that might immediately put a lot of people off so I’ve expanded it to more colours. Midweek, we had some animal print for the leopard lovers out there, but for this weekend we are heading down a more calming road. Think earthy browns, forest greens, classic creams and all the neutral tones in between. It’s a nature-inspired palette, and one that is very easy to use when getting dressed for the autumn season. Here are the colours I’m thinking of, and all of them go very well with denim and pale blue. Although don’t all colours go well with blue denim, to be fair?

I think this whole palette screams understated, ageless autumn elegance, so I’m running with it as an outfit inspiration mood board this week. Here are six looks to try…

CAMEL TRENCH AND JEANS

I have this Sézane trench and I love it. For me, it’s the perfect trench coat. I like the colour, I like the check lining, I like the fact it’s not got any of the bells and whistles that normal trench coats have – who even uses the belt, anyway? It’s nicely oversized but not massively so (I took my normal size), and it’s perfect for wearing over chunky knitwear. I also love this M&S suede bag. If you’d like to dip a toe in the current suede trend but don’t want to risk a jacket or a coat, then I would go for something like this.

1. Toast Kaia V‑Neck Wool Cardigan
2. Sezane Clyde Trench Coat 
3. Hush Cordelia Barrel Leg Jeans
4. M&S Brown Suede Tote Bag 
5. Ivy Ellis Quarter Length Cotton Socks 
6. Dr Martens Adrian Soft Leather Tassel Loafers

CHOCOLATE & KHAKI

A modern take on Country Casuals? Give your khaki trousers an airing and wear them with some darker brown pieces. I ordered one of these TBCo triangle scarves for the autumn to wear before we bring out the big scarf. Admittedly, it’s black rather than brown, but I think it gives a bit of added interest to a crew neck jumper AND it keeps your neck warm. Double win.

1. Mango Leather-effect jacket with contrast stitching
2. TbCo Merino Triangle Scarf in Black Stitch
3. COS Pure Cashmere Jumper
4. Finisterre Croft Workwear Trousers 
5. DeMellier The Midi New York Mocha Shearling 
6. La Redoute Suede Chelsea Boots with Notched Sole

GREEN, BLUE & TAN SUEDE

This is my favourite look of the week, mainly because I can easily recreate this with items I already own. I bought a brown suede mini skirt on Vinted for £8 last month, and this is exactly how I’m going to wear it. I do have a rule, though, that I won’t wear tights until October, so I’ll wait a couple of days before I do this outfit.

1. Boden Sienna Cotton Stripe Shirt 
2. Chinti & Parker Green Wool-Cashmere Slouchy Sweater
3. Mint Velvet Tan Suede Mini Skirt 
4. H&M Rounded Shoulder Bag 
5. Jigsaw Wool Relaxed City Coat
6. Sezane Markus Derby Shoes 

NEUTRALS AND STRIPES

A two-newish-trends-in-one look here: the rugby-style polo shirt and the ‘barn’ jacket that we touched on last week. I’ve been trying to think of ways to wear my white jeans in this current climate and this is a good option. But how much longer can we go on with ballet flats? Unlike trainers or loafers that can both easily be worn with socks, the ballet flat doesn’t lend itself as well to hosiery. Please correct me if I’m wrong here.

1. M&S Cotton Blend Striped Rugby Top
2. Monica Vinader Gemstone Striped Hoop Earrings (use code KATEHMV20 for 20% off)
3. Stradivarius Contrast multi-pocket jacket
4. COS Pleated Barrel leg denim trousers 
5. Arket Suede Shoulder Bag 
6. Arket Leather Mary Jane Flats 

BROWN, BLACK AND CREAM

I am doing my proper summer/winter wardrobe switchover this weekend, so the corduroy will well and truly be OUT. I’m actually excited to wear my brown cord trousers again this year. Brown is definitely still one of the big colours this winter. Surprisingly, it goes with so many other colours: blue, green, orange, even purple and red. In fact, I’d go so far as to say it’s as useful as black or white when putting outfits together.

1. Sister Jane Ivan Swan T‑shirt
2. Liberty Aviator Sunglasses
3. H&M Wool-blend jacket
4. Arket Wide leg corduroy trousers 
5. JW PEI Hana Mini Faux Suede Tote Bag
6. Veja Volley logo-embroidered suede low-top trainers 

INDIGO DENIM AND FOREST GREEN

How seasonal are all these shades together? I love it. You could brighten it up a bit with an orange/rust-coloured bag or shoes instead of matching the greens. There are three reasons that I feature the Adidas Spezial trainers so much, and these are:

1. They are so bloody comfortable as, unlike many other trainers, they have really good arch support. I know it’s not cool to talk about arch support in a fashion blog, but sometimes these things are important.
2. They work so well with most of the outfits I favour.
3. They come in pretty much every colour you can think of (and I’d gladly have them all!).

1. Uniqlo Cashmere Sleeveless Crew Neck Short Jumper
2. Katie Mullally double British / US coin pendant 
3. H&M long sleeve corduroy shirt 
4. Reiss Raymond Double Pleat Wide Leg Jeans
5. Russell & Bromley Jessie leather bag 
6. Mango Wool Suit Jacket 
7. Adidas Handball Spezial khaki trainers 

OLIVE & BROWN

This one is for my taller ladies. It can be quite hard to find a properly good long coat. One that works with midi skirts and longer dresses. M&S have come up with the goods here. The perfect longline style in a very earth tone appropriate colour.

1. Genevieve Sweeney Merino Wool Knitted T Shirt 
2. Pyrrha Bronze One Day at a Time Pendant Necklace
3. Rachel Jackson Electric Love Mini Garnet Heart Ring
4. Monsoon Brown Faux Leather Midi Skirt 
5. A.P.C Ninon Chaine Shoulder Bag
6. M&S Wool Rich Double Breasted Longline Coat
7. Duo Dalia Tall Knee High Brown Leather Boots

I liked this colour palate theme, I might do another one again soon.

K x