Brown isn’t just for fall, and this dress is proof
I tend to think of brown as a fall color, something that goes with navy and olive and all the other shades you reach for when the leaves start to turn. But lately I’ve been wearing it in the spring and summer, and the trick is pretty simple: pair it with lighter, more saturated colors that keep the brown from pulling the whole outfit into a dark, heavy place.
This Getup is a perfect example of what I mean. A brown linen coat over a mid-wash denim shirt and white jeans, with tan suede boots and a few small accessories to bring it together and a little personality.
Brown Linen Chore Coat
I picked this up at Uniqlo in Tokyo, and while they sell it stateside (good), it’s out of stock (bummer). The good news is that there are many linen-blend coats in shades of brown and near brown at various price points. I have listed a few above to suit your budget.
What has surprised me is how useful a lightweight linen coat is in warm weather. I’ve had lightweight jackets and shirt jackets before, but this is my first linen blend in this style, and the difference is real. Thrown over a t-shirt or button-down, it adds just enough structure and visual interest without adding any noticeable heat or weight. That may sound like a little thing, but for that springtime where you want a layer but don’t need warmth, it’s the kind of coat that gets a lot of wear.
Denim shirt
This is one of my most worn shirts in real life, to the point where I’m a little embarrassed that some friends have seen me in it. But there’s a reason it’s accessed so often. The denim has a really nice shape to it, the softness of the way it falls makes it comfortable and easy to wear in Los Angeles no matter the weather or where I’m looking. He slides into those situations without much thought.
In this outfit, the rich mid-dark blue adds a pop of spring in a way that feels a little older, and I love how it sits against the brown coat and white denim on their own. Combine all three and you get a warm palette, perfect for spring when the colors are clearly contrasting but not clashing.
Off-White Jeans
This is my first go with the Levi’s 555, which I came up with after a lot of research and I came back looking for something more comfortable and higher rise than my 501’s (which I still wear and love). 555 brings me a little closer to those goals, although it wasn’t quite the win I was hoping for. I plan to add more and go into details later.
The natural white color (a slightly warmer tone, not a bright white paper) in this loose fit makes the white jeans easier to wear than the slim, light-white version.
And look, white jeans aren’t really that hard to pull off, but I’ll admit it can feel like it’s moving before you even put it on. Once you’re actually wearing them, that feeling disappears completely and you just feel well dressed and put together. If that doubt feels familiar, just know that it goes away, and the warm shade and relaxed fit make the adjustment smooth.
Tan Suede Chukka Boots
Easy, no-nonsense pull here. Tan suede chukkas are comfortable in the warmer months, and bring a timeless style that’s perfect for English or collegiate quality alongside a western denim shirt, linen jacket, and loose white denim. The Clark Desert Boot has military roots that go back decades, but this time it just reads like a smart casual shoe that works with just about everything. The crepe sole keeps it casual, and the tan suede picks up the warmth of the brown coat without matching it too closely, which is what you want. Similar shades may look like you are trying to create a set.
Look
The watch here is my grandfather’s Timex from the middle of the last century, a simple, small face on a brown leather strap that works with the coat. Obviously you won’t get this exact watch, but a classic Timex like the Waterbury gets you in the same place at a price that’s hard to argue with.
Jewelry
For years I thought anything beyond a watch felt like a costume, like I was auditioning for Pirates of the Caribbean. I wrote about how I finally got over that, and the realization that I got there was thinking about clothes as tempo and jewelry as groove. The pieces don’t have to match (a gold necklace with a silver ring is perfect), and layering is more about feel and rhythm than balance.
In this outfit, where the clothes are well restrained in terms of pattern and details, a simple necklace and bracelet give the eye some space and add a little personality without overcomplicating anything. That article also has a few different shots of this same denim shirt and a different pair of white jeans, so you can see the close-up of the same style.