There's no two ways about it: brown is the dominant shade of AW18 and you'll be hard-pressed to escape it this season. From JW Anderson 's chocolate exposed-zip coat to Sies Marjan 's fluid chestnut jumpsuit, via Eckhaus Latta's tawny skirt suit and Marni's Matrix -esque trench coat, designers went wild for brown in all its hues. How did the staid shade – one we associate most with our Brownie uniform – end up feeling super contemporary and cool?
"There was a definite nod to the '70s happening across the runway, and it feels more modern than black," Ida Petersson, Womenswear Buying Director of Browns, told Refinery29. Look to Natacha Ramsay-Levi’s new Chloé girl for the best of '70s style, all corduroy jackets and printed blouses.
"Additionally, what every fashion girl should know is that brown is a great alternative to black for winter and rather than draining you it warms your features." The universally flattering shade not only suits every skin tone – ginger hues zing on pale skin, and darker skin tones make caramel shades pop – but also looks great paired with brighter colours like fuchsia or electric blue.
So how will we be wearing the fittingly autumnal trend? Elizabeth von der Goltz, Global Buying Director of Net-A-Porter says that the items of the season are "a camel coat, Loewe's Gate Bag or Chloé's Tess, and Gianvito Rossi's boots." Other labels we're looking to include Nanushka for its vegan and machine-washable leather, and Marques'Almeida.
On the high street, everywhere from Zara to & Other Stories has brown sewn up, from cinnamon to cedar. The former has a workwear-appropriate skirt which you'll have to prise from our hands come spring, and Mango has an empire-line dress that will flatter all.
Click through to find our must-have pieces from this season's most wearable trend.
Zara Skirt ZW Premium Worker Brown Corduroy, £39.99, available at Zara
Ace & Tate Donna Sunglasses, £98, available at Arket
Carcel Milano Sweater, £270, available at Net-A-Porter
H&M Large Suede Shopper, £69.99, available at H&M
Zara Double-Sided Faux Fur Coat, £99.99, available at Zara
COS Wide-Leg Trousers With Turn Ups, £40, available at COS
Mango Pockets Leather Jacket, £89.99, available at Mango
Chloé Cropped Flared Pants, £650, available at Net-A-Porter
Topshop Rust Topstitch Shacket, £49, available at Topshop
H&M Glittery Trousers, £39.99, available at H&M
Mango Ruched Midi Dress, £59.99, available at Mango
& Other Stories Duo D-Ring Belted Coat, £169, available at & Other Stories
H&M Cashmere-Mix Jumper, £99.99, available at H&M
& Other Stories Wide Corduroy Trousers, £69, available at & Other Stories
Ganni Cameron Polka Dot Trousers, £210, available at Matches Fashion
Arket Fluid Crepe Top, £55, available at Arket
Mango Snake Leather Ankle Boots, £99.99, available at Mango
Stella McCartney Yesenia Trousers, £265, available at Matches Fashion
Charles & Keith Oval Block Heel Leather Boots, £99, available at Charles & Keith
Weekday Abril Cord Trousers, £45, available at Weekday
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
6 Trends That Have Your Autumn Style Sewn Up