Incorporating brown footwear into cool-toned closet - YouLookFab Forum

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Incorporating brown footwear into cool-toned closet

KMM

I'm weirdly unsure whether these chocolate boots will work with my work wardrobe which has nary a warm or earth tone. Primary neutrals are navy and gray, and a few black bottoms. My accent colors are teal, mid tone blues, and berry colors. Can dark brown footwear mesh with this? The right gray footwear is so hard to find and I'm tired of black so thought these might be a nice alternative. Navy with brown footwear feels a little corporate to me which is part of my hesitation (I'm not in a corporate environment).

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18 replies

Latest reply was from Janet

Carol

(website)

Veteran

I’m not a master of color, but those shoes look flexible. Especially adding in the berry, beiges, or patterned scarves.

Dee

Veteran

I share the same cool tone colour palette as you, and I think those chocolate brown boots would make an interesting colour addition to this palette. Brown is certainly on trend and combined with grey, it looks rather sophisticated together, and I love brown with berry there’s a richness to that combination. Those boots seem neutral enough to go with any of your cool tones really. Perhaps incorporating a few additional brown accessories like a belt, and/or handbag would help bring it all together for you.

cat2

Veteran

I would hold out for dark cool toned boots. At least on my screen, these look like warm chocolate.

Cardiff girl

Veteran

I definitely think that you can wear brown with navy,grey and black but Prehaps steer clear of any brown that’s too warm if the rest of your wardrobe is very cool toned?

rachylou

Veteran

These look a pretty cool brown to me. They’re also quite polished. I think they’ll be fantastic.

DonnaF

Veteran

I love a cool toned brown. Are your hair and maybe your eyes a cool brown? If yes, the brown boots will be a slam dunk and go with everything.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

I think this color will be especially fab with gray. I love a dark-chocolate color with gray. I agree with you that this is a beautiful change from black with the colors you describe in your wardrobe. It doesn't look like the shade of brown that I associate with men's dress shoes and navy suits. It looks almost plummy.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

This is a bit of a weird association but I remember noticing in England all the men wear brown shoes with their blue, black and grey trousers. Go for it!

Bijou

Veteran

It depends on how much you like your shoes to blend in with the rest of your outfit. Given you have brown hair, I think these will work for you.

My colouring is different to yours (light blonde hair) and so I have found it tricky with the dark brown cool toned boots I own (in Finds), which I thought I would wear with everything, but in reality, I only wear them with dark denim. My boots are less refined than yours, so that may be part of the issue. I find if I am going to wear a dark boot, I default to either black or navy.

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Star

Veteran

My warm dark brown boots get a lot of wear in my cool toned closet.

Joy

Veteran

Mix browns in one outfit. It makes shoes easier.

Runcarla

Veteran

If your avatar is accurate, it looks to me like the brown boots provide a ‘bookend’ with your hair - so no need to acquire additional brown items to make them work. I love brown and blue-green or teal together, and mixing grey, blue, and brown in an outfit is a cool triumvirate, but I would suggest you play around with what’s already in your closet. Keep an open mind and you might just surprise yourself.

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Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

They match your hair! Perhaps get a bag or belt to match them if you feel like complementing.

Hubs Greg LOVES warm brown shoes and a belt. He has a VERY cool toned wardrobe and is a silver fox. Lots of black, navy, blue denim and grey. It works perfectly

Runcarla

Veteran

I looked through your Finds/Wardrobe, and think those boots will be just fine. Certainly with some of your printed tops, but also in combination with other items you show.

avicennia

Veteran

I’m with firecracker — this is an excellent color with grey. I’m a winter, so my clothing is all cool-toned. But unless I’m going to a wedding, opera or similarly formal event, I always have one peripheral item in an earth tone — often a bag, foot wear or a belt. An outfit of pure cool tones reads as too harsh to my eye. I say go for the boots!

KMM

Thanks all! These suggestions are all really helpful. I’ll give the brown booties a shot.

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

I recently bought a pair of chocolate suede lace up booties and a chocolate leather tote bag. I haven’t worn them yet, but now the weather is cooler and I have to start considering how they will work with existing items. I like cooler colors, too, but red is also represented in my closet. I think I’ll probably avoid black and navy as being too dark but we shall see. I’m interested to see what you do with yours.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I just added a pair of chocolate brown boots to my very cool-toned wardrobe. In fact I wore them yesterday with dark denim and black top and jacket, with a brown patterned bag. I loved the change from my usual black and was excited to have some new options.

Sadly, the boots proved to be uncomfortable for the four miles of walking I did in them. I may see if I can stretch them. I’m really bummed because they felt perfectly comfortable at home — but after a few hours on my feet they were rubbing badly on the outside of my little toes. Argh! But that’s an aside. My main point is that I think the brown boots could be a great addition for you, especially if you have some other item that brings in a touch of brown to an outfit. Even a watch band or belt can give just enough of a hint, I think.