Uniform Concept 008: Chocolate Brown for Summer

Building your summer uniform with a color story grounded in chocolate brown

I’ve always grounded my uniform in black, cream, tan, and an overall neutral color palette. But in the last 6-9 months, I’ve been incorporating more and more chocolate brown. I even wrote a post about it in the winter. Since it’s still something I’m doing, I wanted to show how it can translate to your summer uniform as well, even relying on some of the same pieces I referenced in January. 

The chocolate brown, merigold, and olive color palette is a go-to that has been working for me for a few summers now, each color working as a neutral but still feeling really fresh for summer.

References: Estate of Geoffrey Bawa in Sri Lanka, Loewe bags, Matteau campaign shots, Gerald Summers Chair, Gallerie May, Toteme scarf and sandal, Carolinapecten scallop shell 

I put together six outfit iterations in this color story for summer, all grounded in chocolate brown, with some fresh styling ideas for inspiration.

Monochrome

Metier bag, Alex Mill Shirt, Massimo Dutti pants, A. Emery sandals

This is of course easy, chic, and effortless. The Alex Mill shirt would be nice untucked or tucked into this trouser that incidentally has a really great waistline. The soft, suede A. Emery sandal is such a good buy and can truly be worn with anything, suede is also such a comfortable way to wear leather. I have this Metier bag in a lighter brown, but love the new darker iteration. 

Warmth and Texture

Gucci sunglasses, Matteau dress, Lie Studio necklace, Dries Van Noten sandals, Loewe bag, Jil Sander ring

Keeping chocolate brown as your main color but throwing in warm golden touches with texture (like this Loewe bag) brings in such a nice summery depth. Even the ring has a sculptural, imperfect finish for a touch of texture. I love that the backs of these sandals have a little yellow and white rope strap that ties all the colors together. (Side note, the wood sole on these will last for so long.)