Is brown the new black? 10+ chocolate-hued pieces to shop now

14 August 2025
By Fashion Quarterly

Warm, rich, and endlessly wearable, chocolate hues have taken centre stage as this season’s shade du jour.

Altuzarra F25, Gucci F25, Tods F25. Imagery: Launchmetrics/Spotlight.
Altuzarra F25, Gucci F25, Tods F25. Imagery: Launchmetrics/Spotlight.

Warm, rich, and endlessly versatile, brown has emerged as the season’s most covetable neutral. A softer, more decadent alternative to black, this transeasonal shade flatters every skin tone and slips seamlessly between day and night. Designers from Paris Georgia to Bottega Veneta are embracing the hue in every form, from sculptural sunglasses to buttery suede trenches. Whether it’s a silky wrap top, a sculpted blazer, or the perfect chocolate ankle boot, these pieces prove brown is anything but boring. Here, 12 elevated finds that will have you rethinking your go-to neutrals.

Shop the edit

Paris Georgia ‘Raf’ dress in chocolate, $600.
Naveya & Sloane smoky quartz ‘Knots’ ring in yellow gold, $995.
Georgia Jay small ‘Torta’ in coco, $590.
Ruby Matilda Zip Cardigan, $319.
Bottega Veneta ‘New Knot’ cat-eye sunglasses, $1104, from Net-A-Porter.
Bronwyn ‘Marilyn’ boot in chocolate, $343.
Dominique Healy ‘Mae’ wrap in espresso, $240.
Ohen ‘The Balconette’ bra, $129.
Assembly Label ‘Beth’ suede ballet flat, $120.
Nour Hammour ‘Tate Everyday’ suede trench in mocha, $3250, from Net-A-Porter.
Camilla and Marc ‘Aster’ blazer, $1020.
Anderson’s croc-effect leather belt, $332, from Net-a-Porter.

This article originally appeared in Fashion Quarterly’s Winter 2025 issue.

Product imagery: Supplied
Runway photography: Launchmetrics/Spotlight

Share:

Sign up & Join
FQ Insider

Unlock exclusive content, behind-the-scenes insights, and special offers by becoming an FQ Insider.

Fashion Quarterly Winter 2023 Cover
Fashion Quarterly Winter 2023 Cover

Sign up & Join
FQ Insider

Unlock exclusive content, behind-the-scenes insights, and special offers by becoming an FQ Insider.

Don’t miss a thing. Sign up to FQ’s weekly newsletter.

*Ts&Cs apply.
Find out more at fq.co.nz/fq-newsletter