When Pantone selected Mocha Mousse as their color of the year, many people dismissed the choice. Brown was derided as “boring” and “demure.” However, as 2025 has unfolded, it’s become clear how much staying power this particular color family possesses. Its earthy character evokes a sense of resilience, comfort and stability. Not to mention that it is the natural state of many luxury materials, such as suede and yak, which opens the door for tonal depth without additional dyes. Truthfully, brown is one of our favorite colors to work with… not only for its styling versatility, but also for its quiet power.
With visual roots in the natural world, brown has a particular way of making us feel grounded. Described as a color with a “sensorial richness,” it speaks to both the luxury sophisticate and the humble nomad. A range of moods lives within this color family, from the inquisitive depths of dark espresso to the sophistication of camel to the warm, near-red tones of mahogany and umber. An intensely versatile hue to style, the golden undertones of brown work well as a foundation for jewel tones and neutrals alike.
This time of year, we tend to reach for browns in the mid-range—the chocolates, cinnamons and caramels of the bunch. Unsurprisingly, we tend to favor these in our kitchens too… but will enjoy them equally in a high-density knit or a bit of brushed cashmere. Need a bit of contrast in your wardrobe? Try layering a jammy, plum-tone sweater or a classical navy coat to diversify and heighten a primarily brown look.
“The color brown, I realized, is anything but nondescript. It comes in as many hues as there are colors of earth, which is commonly presumed infinite.”
—Barbara Kingsolver
WILD AMERICANA
Sabina Goes West
In Sabina Savage’s newest collection, Wild Americana, the British designer follows the travelling naturalist Alfred Swift through the rugged landscapes of North America. Selected for Santa Fe Dry Goods in earthy palettes of pine, russet and navy, these pieces work seamlessly with a wardrobe of brown.
