This autumn, fashion enthusiasts can't stop talking about one colour: chocolate brown. While this deep, rich shade has always been a staple for the cold-weather season, it's particularly prevalent this year, especially on the runways and among style-setters. Its widespread popularity is well-deserved, as chocolate brown is a timeless and adaptable colour. It shares the versatility of black but with a warm, welcoming undertone and inherently luxe feel.

Whether in the form of suede, leather, or satin, or on handbags, shoes, outerwear, or skirts, chocolate brown brings an extra layer of opulence and indulgence to every outfit. Plus, fashion people from Paris to New York have consistently demonstrated that you can mix and match chocolate brown with various colours, from butter yellow to navy, instead of just wearing it head to toe.

So how do you approach styling this season's top colour? One way is to swap out your black staple pieces for brown alternatives and then style them as you would if they were black. To provide examples, I spent countless hours scrolling through Instagram and curated a selection of the eight best chocolate-brown outfit ideas. Whether you've already added chocolate-brown pieces to your fall wardrobe and need styling inspiration or you're simply curious about integrating 2025's hottest hue into your style, the upcoming information will resonate with you.

1. Cape + Suit + Suede Bag

Style notes: Capes are making a strong statement this season, whether part of coats or worn on their own, adding a stylish twist to simple outfits. Nnenna Echem's outfit perfectly demonstrates how a chocolate-brown cape can elevate a coordinated blazer-and-trousers ensemble, giving it a contemporary feel. Plus, her decision to pair the navy set with more chocolate-brown elements, such as the suede tote bag and ballet flats, showcases the harmonious combination of the two hues.

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2. Jumper + Leather Skirt + Heels

Style notes: Every autumn, I come across numerous black-and-brown outfits. One of my favourites is Sylvie Mus's ensemble, featuring a cozy brown high V-neck sweater paired with a chic leather midi skirt. Adding strappy sandals and a leather clutch as accessories enhances the overall simple yet sophisticated look, proving that less truly is more.

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3. Miniskirt + Trench Coat + Knit Top

Style notes: When aiming to create a sophisticated autumnal ensemble, a winning combination involves pairing a trench coat with a brown miniskirt. Elevate the look by incorporating a pop of vibrancy with a yellow shirt, as the blend of chocolate brown and yellow exudes chic autumn vibes. For added visual interest, draw inspiration from content creator Emmanuelle Koffi and incorporate subtle buttery-yellow tones through your handbag and preppy flats.

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4. Jumper + Elastic-Waist Trousers + Trainers

Style notes: Even a simple chocolate-brown sweater can elevate your casual outfit when styled just right. I love how stylist and content creator Marianne Smyth combined the brown knit with navy wide-leg trousers, a colour combination that always exudes luxury. What ties the look together is the addition of a green suede bag, which complements the brown and creates a calming effect. For footwear? Opt for white trainers to perfectly complement the sporty and laid-back pants.

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5. Monochromatic Three-Piece Suit + Flats

Style notes: When getting dressed for a day filled with important meetings, deciding what to wear can be tricky. This is where opting for an easy all-chocolate-brown ensemble comes into play. Choose sophisticated pieces like a well-tailored blazer, a stylish vest, and elegant wide-leg trousers. The beauty of this ensemble is its versatility—you can mix and match these pieces with other items in your wardrobe. A three-piece chocolate-brown suit offers an endless array of fashionable outfits for all occasions.

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6. Satin Miniskirt + Long-Sleeve Top + Mules

Style notes: Don't feel like you have to pack away your skirts just because it's autumn. Embrace the season by choosing a chocolate-brown mini or midi and pair it with a warm jumper or a sophisticated blazer. Complete the look with a bold pair of mules for a playful twist and a neutral bag to create a well-balanced ensemble.

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7. Suede Jacket + Studded Belt + Baggy Jeans

Style notes: Don't be fooled; chocolate brown doesn't have to be boring. Just opt for a suede jacket. The buttery softness and luxuriousness of the suede fabric effortlessly bring sophistication to a casual T-shirt-and-jeans combination. Finish the ensemble with a studded belt for an added flair that exudes confidence and style.

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8. Maxi Dress + Jumper + Belt

Style notes: While the temperatures are still warm, you can wear a chocolate-brown maxi dress, ideally in a drop-waist style. Layer a lighter-brown jumper over your shoulders to keep the look relaxed, and add a belt to create visual interest.

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As a beauty editor, I already know that an autumn French manicure is going to be one of the biggest nail trends of the season. This classic nail design was everywhere in summer, but I'm already seeing lots of nail artists transition the look into the colder months.

Whether it's swapping out your usual white nail polish for a deep red or burgundy shade, or opting for some trending autumn nail art on top of your French tip, there are lots of ways to get your manicure September-ready.

Below, I've rounded up six autumn French manicure trends that I believe will be huge this season. I study nail trends for a living, so I know a thing or two about predicting new manicure looks, and trust me when I say that all the signs point to these six designs being big news in the upcoming weeks. Now, time to decide which one to go for at my next nail appointment...

6 Autumn French Manicure Trends to Try Now

1. Blurred French Manicure

First up is the ultra chic blurred French mani. If you favour subtle, pared-back nails for autumn, then this is the trend for you. As the name suggests, this look involves a soft, blended white French tip that enhances your natural nail and makes your manicure look so polished.

No matter what nail shape or length, there's no denying how stylish this trend is.

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2. Polka-Dot French Tips

Polka-dot nails were big news at the end of summer, but this autumn, it seems that a polka dot French tip is the chosen way to wear this trend. I'm not usually a fan of nail art, but even I can't deny how fun yet chic this is.

Keep things simple with a monochrome design and let the polka dots do all the talking.

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3. Burgundy French Tips

I've already declared my love for a burgundy French tip this autumn, and stand by the fact that this is the most elegant way to wear the nail trend for the colder months. There's just something so sophisticated about the deep reddish-purple hue.

Don't be alarmed if you see me wearing this exact manicure every single week from now on.

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4. Animal-Print French Tips

We all know that animal prints come back into fashion every single autumn, and as a beauty editor, I'm used to seeing these trending prints make their way into the manicure world, too. That's why I predict that animal print French manicures will be big news.

What I like about this trend is that it manages to make a statement while still pairing beautifully with a more neutral autumn wardrobe.

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5. Navy French Manicure

I was out shopping last weekend, and everywhere I turned, there were chic navy accessories, from suede loafers to handbags. It got me thinking about other ways in which I could incorporate the colour into my look, and I settled on a navy French tip nail design because, well, have you ever seen anything more elegant?

A micro navy French tip is even better.

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6. Clean-Girl French Manicure

I know it might seem boring, but I truly don't believe that anything looks more polished than a classic French mani. This is the clean-girl nail look for autumn.

I've already spotted so many of these polished French manicures over on Instagram this season. My top takeaways are to go for a soft pink base and a glossy top coat to make your nails look as healthy as possible.

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If you're simultaneously obsessed with the latest micro-trends and too intimidated to test them out, you've come to the right place. This is Ways to Wear, a monthly series where editor Eliza Huber offers a dose of outfit inspiration centred around current trends that feel intriguing yet overwhelming at the same time. Consider it your guide to actually wearing the coolest items of the moment, no matter how puzzling they might appear at first.

If I had to pinpoint one item on my Instagram feed that I've spotted the most thus far this summer, I'd name white trousers without a second of hesitation. For reference, the people I follow are primarily involved in the fashion world or the industries surrounding it and mostly live in Europe—specifically France and Italy. Their outfits are, therefore, quintessentially French and Italian, and in the summer, that means they wear low-key yet dangerously chic ensembles that, nine times out of 10, involve white pants.

Despite how laissez-faire their looks appear online, they tend to be harder to re-create than you expect. It's probably because of that whole je ne sais quoi thing that comes naturally to people born there but not so much for those who aren't. Driven by my own frustration, I decided to put my own white-trouser selection to the test, using my skills in the styling department as well as my Instagram-induced knowledge of French and Italian fashion. The result? Seven summer outfits that are centred around the warm-weather bottoms that would fit right into either country between the months of June and August. Below, see how I did and shop the pant trend that French and Italian women swear by during the summer months.

1. High-Neck Tank + Wide-Leg Linen Trousers + Ballet Flats 

Style Notes: The easiest and most European way to wear white trousers is to stick with an all-white colour palette. It looks elegant every single time and allows for whatever accessories you wear to pop. For this take on the monochromatic look, I paired a high-neck ribbed tank from Dissh with wide-leg trousers also from the Australian brand, brown ballet flats, gold drop earrings, and my new favourite Bottega Veneta Sardine bag, which has gold hardware that matches my earrings.

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2. White Halter Top + Drawstring Pants + Trainers

Style Notes: Keeping on with the monochromatic looks, this matching linen set feels very Mediterranean. I recently wore it all around Italy, from Milan to Imola, and have gotten dozens of compliments on its simple and effortless qualities. I love it styled like this with Adidas Sambas, but it could easily be dressed up with kitten-heel sandals, a chic cuff, and some stellar earrings.

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3. Striped Poplin Shirt + White Tank + Linen Trousers + Clogs

Style Notes: Of all the ways that white trousers are styled on Instagram, this is probably the general combination I spot most often. Super casual and comfortable yet put-together, this copy-worthy ensemble—a striped button-down shirt, a white tank, baggy linen pants, and clogs—defies the odds in more ways than one.

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4. White Waistcoat + Matching Trousers + Thong Sandals + Shoulder Bag

Style Notes: Grey and black waistcoat suits are all I saw anyone in Europe wearing in the winter months, but in the summer, it's all about white alternatives to the trendy, tailored combo. To stylize the duo, I always add bold earrings and a contrasting handbag, which, in this case, are both by Bottega Veneta. After all, just like anything else, there is a such thing as wearing too much white. For even more colour, I slid on a pair of thong-style sandals.

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5. Sporty Vest + Lightweight White Trousers + Sneakers

Style Notes: I'd usually credit Londoners for coming up with fresh, cool ways to make sporty look chic, but when it comes to athletic vests, Prada Sport is always the brand I think of. For one time only, I'm giving credence to the Italians. Here, I took a pair of super-lightweight trousers and styled them with a navy-blue Adidas vest from the '90s, Adidas x Wales Bonner Japan sneakers, and my favourite Prada 1995 Re-Edition bag. Comfortable, nostalgic, and smart, this outfit—if I dare say so myself—checks off every summer box.

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6. White Button-Down Shirt + White Pull-On Pants + Ballet Flats 

Style Notes: If you're going on vacation this summer, this white-pant outfit should 1000% be in your carry-on. A simple white button-down shirt, white pull-on trousers, ballet flats, and a great bag will pair perfectly with any travel destination. Plus, each item can be worn separately as well, so you really get multiple outfits in one.

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7. White Tank Top + Matching Low-Rise Trousers + Mules + Scarf

Style Notes: I know it's risky, but I personally love an all-white going-out look in the summer. The colour scheme is too often reserved for daytime activities only, but if you own a chic monochromatic top-and-bottom duo like this one from Buci, it simply must be shown off during the latter hours of the night. Just don't forget to put a Tide stick in your purse in case of spill-related emergencies as well as a napkin on your lap at dinner.

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This story originally appeared on Who What Wear U.S.