FOR decades, women have relied on their trusty little black dresses to fit any dress code, flatter their figures and hide a multitude of sins.
But now experts say the trusty LBD, popularized by Coco Chanel in the 1920s, is out – and we should widen our palettes for fall 2023.
Personal stylist Louise Pennington said brown dresses are set to become a wardrobe stapleCredit: Louise Pennington
Kendall Jenner and Hailey Bieber are among the celebrities embracing the little brown dress trend.
Louise Pennington (@fashpackstyle) boasts over 5,000 followers on Instagram, where she shares her daily outfits and fashion finds.
The personal stylist explained to The U.S. Sun why brown is suddenly en vogue.
“Brown in its many forms suits most skin tones, it’s just a case of picking the right shade for you,” Louise said.
“It’s a luxurious, softer alternative to black.
“Sure the LBD (Little Black Dress) will always be at the forefront of style but as a relative newcomer, the LBD (Little Brown Dress) is set to become a real wardrobe staple.
“It’s 𝑠e𝑥y but with a softer edge, evoking thoughts of chocolate, coffee, and after-dinner soirées.
“It whispers the very current trend of quiet luxury.”
Hailey Bieber has been leading the brown dress trend this seasonCredit: Getty
Kendall Jenner wowed in a floor-length brown dress when she stepped out in DubaiCredit: Getty
Louise explained that black is still widely considered the “perfect ’I have nothing to wear’ piece,” and is very dependable.
However, she believes there is still a place for flattering brown dresses and suits in our wardrobes.
Luxury fashion brands Saint Laurent and Tom Ford filled their spring/summer 2024 runways with earthy shades during Fashion Week.
Louise said: “Personally, I love brown as a full-color blocked look. I think that’s why we all love the full-length Saint Laurent vibe.
“There’s something uber luxe about wearing one color, head to toe.
“But if that isn’t for you, try pairing it with other neutrals – white, grey, cream, beige.
“Or add some color and try it with burgundy, red (two more shades of the season) orange, baby blue, navy blue or black.”
Louise said many of her clients shy away from wearing a color altogether if they haven’t found a shade that suits their skin complexion.
She advised embracing the trend by still incorporating brown into outfits, while putting a color that looks more flattering closer to the skin.
She said: “If in doubt layer, brown with a color that suits you and put that color right next to your skin.
“Brown also pairs brilliantly with so many different colors, from pastel lemon to cerise pink, it’s beautiful, warm, and neutral.
“My favorite high street store for look, quality & price point is COS.COM.
“They have some beautiful wool tailored trousers and a pure cashmere crew neck available right now that are to die for – they’re giving The Row vibes at 10% of the price.
“The quality of the fabric used rivals those of higher-end brands and their pieces are available at a fraction of the cost.
“If the idea of brown as a head-to-toe look scares you a little, ease yourself in with just one piece.
“I would usually recommend that you pick a gorgeous cashmere knit or a scarf even, perfect for this time of year.
“All you need is one hero piece to work it into your existing wardrobe, then try to make it work with at least five other outfits you already own.
She added: “Try your best to be a sustainable shopper and don’t impulse buy or purchase trends just because they are ‘in.’
“The best thing you can do for your wallet and the environment is consider your purchases.
“If something new comes into your wardrobe, think about selling something that is longer needed.
“Recycle your cash. It’s a great way to stay current without blowing your budget.”
