For several seasons now it’s been hard to find wardrobe items in shades of dark brown. About six years ago, dark brown clothing, footwear and accessories were fashionable and therefore very accessible. I remember walking through Ann Taylor, Nordstrom and the Loft with clients back then, and the landscapes were a sea of rich chocolate brown. Today it’s a sea of grey and black. 

It used to be equally difficult to find wardrobe items in navy and ink blue. But that’s no longer the case, because shades of dark blue are ultra fashionable and there’s no stopping the ink trend. It’s as if shades of dark brown have been replaced by shades of dark blue. And for some reason the fashion world doesn’t have room for more than one strong, dark neutral at a time, aside from black or grey.

Dark brown isn’t unstylish just because it’s not the fashionable choice right now. All colours are in style if they complement your complexion and make you happy. That’s why you have to stock up on “your colours” when they’re in fashion, because when they do fall out of favour they might stay off the fashion radar for a good long while. 

Excluding my high school uniform back in the ’80s, I can probably count the dark brown items I’ve purchased on one hand. When it comes to brown, I prefer lighter shades like cognac, camel and taupe. So I don’t miss the neutral for my own style. But I do miss it for those of my clients who gravitate towards earth tones and look sensational in dark brown. These clients much prefer wearing brown and navy to black and grey. Plus, dark brown complements a navy, peach and burnt orange palette. So I hope that dark brown resurfaces as a fashion colour for their sake, and because a fashion season with lots of options is always best. When that will happen is anyone’s guess.  

Do you wear dark brown, and do you miss it as a fashion colour? Do you wish for more dark brown wardrobe items at retail level? Or do you prefer black, grey and navy?

Former model and beauty entrepreneur Linda Rodin (65) stars in The Row’s new Pre-Fall 2014 lookbook. According to the silver-haired style icon, designers Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen selected her to be the face of their high-end luxury line “for her age”. The decision to feature older models — Linda is joined by Esther de Jong (39) and Ursuall Wallis (age not disclosed) — is applauded in the fashion world and blogosphere as another step in the right direction towards more diversity and the end of ageism in fashion campaigns. It’s an especially important season for the brand as it will open its first store in Los Angeles this Summer, meaning that the clothes in the racks will be from this collection. Quite risky, it is said, to use older models at this point then, and a sign that the designer duo is committed to celebrate style at all ages.

According to Style.com, “the sisters were influenced by images of older men and women at work in their gardens”. The collection consists of sophisticated, simple pieces in black, grey, brown and ink blue with a focus on superb fit, sumptuous fabrics and ageless elegance.

• Browse the collection and read the review on Style.com.
• Fashionista’s and Refinery29’s take on the collection.
• Find out what Linda thinks about the collaboration, the clothes, and the photos in this Elle interview.

This ensemble serves as colour inspiration more than anything else. I recently saw actress Piper Perabo wear an ink blue suit with a peach blouse, brown shoes and clutch on TV show “Covert Affairs”. I was very inspired by the combination for my clients who do not enjoy wearing black, grey, and shades of white. Shades of orange look fabulous with shades of blue, so combining the pastel with navy makes sense. 

Here are the components: 

Bottoms: You’re after bottoms, trousers or a skirt, in navy or ink blue. By all means throw in a pinstripe, tweedy texture, sparkle, jacquard, or tonal blue pattern. Dark blue jeans are another way to go. I bat for Team Faded Jeans, so I popped faded blue boyfriend jeans into the ensemble, just to change things up. 

Tops: You’re after any style of peach top that works with the silhouette of the bottoms. Knitwear, shirt, blouse, knitted top, or tee. Dressy or casual. If peach is not your colour, a rich burnt orange or shade of muted coral is another option. 

Footwear: Think shades of chocolate brown, chestnut and cognac, in styles like booties, shooties, pumps, loafers, oxfords or flats. Knee-high or mid-calf boots could work with the skirt. And animal print footwear is a punchy alternative. 

Topper: Think ink blue or navy blazer, moto jacket, sweater coat, denim jacket, trench coat, or wool coat. Any style topper at all, really. Mixed media and pinstripes could be fun. 

Accessories: Finish off the outfit with a brown handbag. Match the shade of brown with the footwear or incorporate another shade of brown. Or add a brown patterned bag. Finish off with jewellery, watch and eyewear as desired. Rose gold and yellow gold look particularly nice with this palette. 

Although I haven’t shown it here, you can turn the formula upside down and wear peach or burnt orange bottoms with a navy or ink blue top. 

I’ve wanted to add a peach blouse or pullover to my wardrobe for a while, but got sidetracked with light blue and blush as “my pastels”. I’ve got the ink blue covered, so maybe 2014 will be my year for peach.

Fab Links from Our Members

Vildy finds the work of portraitist Peter Hurley fascinating. He’s the inventor of the “squinch“, a technique he claims will “make you ooze confidence and self-assuredness”.

La Belle Demimondaine is doing Into Mind’s January Wardrobe Challenge a little bit a time, and it’s giving her a fresher outlook on how to move forward.

Tarzy finds The Gap Mannequin Project very amusing. For his tumblr, Steve Venegas visits Gap stores and takes pictures of himself dressed in the same outfits as the mannequins.

Joy likes to check out the end of year roundups and predictions for the year ahead. She particularly enjoyed the Wall Steet Journal one that covers men’s and women’s style.

Elizabeth P thought this Guardian article on New Year resolutions was fun.

Over at The Vivienne Files, Janice writes about the “cluster method“, an approach similar to creating wardrobe capsules. Deborah thought it might be helpful for the many YLF readers who are currently doing wardrobe edits.

Annagybe liked Susie Bubble’s interview with Orsola de Castro, founder of upcycling label From Somewhere, on the current state and future of ethical fashion.

Greg came across this interesting article detailing the results of a recent survey about how people in Muslim countries prefer women to dress in public.

Ironkurtin recommends watching this great interview with Kim France, founding editor-in-chief of Lucky Magazine.

Laurinda would like to share this thought-provoking article that investigates if angora production can ever be ethical. (Warning: the video is disturbing!)

On his website How To Pack Like A Rockstar, Shaun Huberts explains in detail why and how he uses the “vertical fold and file method”. It was a light bulb moment for HigssMistress, who hadn’t thought of using this folding technique to pack her suitcase.

Helenedith recently discovered Clothing & Age, the website of Professor Julia Twigg, where she publishes articles about research projects on this subject.

Angie points us to an older post of Sally’s in which she shares her musings on being a tattooed person. The comments are interesting too.  

Nicole D had fun reading the 10 Commandments of Style on Refinery29.