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Welcome To The Era Of The Little Brown Dress
Shades of chocolate and coffee has usurped classic black this season
If there’s one sartorial staple to unite us all, it’s the Little Black Dress. Almost all of us will have one tucked inside our wardrobes, called upon for last-minute late nights, nervous first dates, and all those situations where nothing else in your wardrobe feels quite right.
But this season, it’s time to embrace the era of the Little Brown Dress. Rich shades of chocolate, caramel and coffee are big news for autumn/winter 2023, dropping into party-season collections in the form of clingy ruched minis, slinky slip dresses and Nineties body-con throwbacks.
If a wardrobe of head-to-toe black is your comfort zone, it’s fair to say you might not be instantly taken by this palette shift: brown does carry a rather unfair reputation for being a little drab. But as it turns out, brown makes a surprisingly glamorous option for after dark: rich shades of chocolate feel softer than black, and work especially well with a flash of gold jewellery and glossy caramel (sorry, latte) makeup.
Skin-baring cuts and sheer fabrics offer an injection of sex appeal, ensuring the new LBD is every bit as powerful as its predecessor.
You don’t have to scroll too far through the most recent round of runways to understand the rise of the brown dress. For spring/summer 2024, everyone from Saint Laurent to Tom Ford made the case for relegating your trusty black pieces. In real life, the likes of Hailey Bieber and Kendall Jenner have already jumped on the trend, while rich autumnal tones are taking over stores from the high-end to the high street.
Here, see the brown dresses we’ve bookmarked in preparation for the long-awaited party season.
The Best Brown Dresses For The Season Of Late Nights
When Hailey Bieber wore the beige iteration of 16Arlington's Solaria dress last year, it quickly became one of the brand's most in-demand pieces. Now, it's back with an updated name and hem – and in the season's key chocolate hue.
Lesugiatelier Shirring String Maxi Dress
With a Y2K string halterneck and creative cut-outs, this shirred maxi from Korean brand Lesugiatelier ticks so many boxes in one.
For simple pieces that come with major impact, we always look to Skims. This season, we'll be adding the brand's classic tube dress in brown to our collection.
The high neckline on Reformation's Alden dress balances out the thigh-skimming hem, making it a chic proposition for nights out. Team with thong sandals for the most on-point result.
With a cutaway panel and figure-flattering ruching, Amy Lynn's strapless dress ticks off several trends in one.
Faithfull The Brand Santiana Satin Dress
Faithfull The Brand Santiana Satin Dress
A slip dress is always a reliable choice for elegant evenings – but a cutaway back gives Faithfull's design a fresh twist.
Pair your point collar with a plunging open front, and you're about as far from 'corporate chic' as possible.
Christopher Essber Triquetra Cut-Out Dress
Another trophy dress refreshed in the season's key hue, Christopher Essber's Triquetra maxi is equal parts sexy and sophisticated.
A floor-skimming dress feels so much more youthful when interrupted by strategically placed cut-outs.
Off-the-shoulder necklines are making a strong comeback this season, and Mango's stretch-fit dress is an easy way to embrace the look.
Sleeper Boheme Feather-Trimmed Dress
Sleeper's signature feather trims always feel so right once the festive season rolls around. Best worn with lashing of gold jewellery and lip gloss.
The chunky silver chain neckline on The Attico's Giona dress means there's little need for jewellery.
Warehouse Satin Strappy Back Slip Dress
This is one of those reliable classics you'll find yourself calling on for so many occasions, from winter weddings to festive parties.
Petar Petrov's toffee-hued sheer dress ticks two major trends in one. (Plus, the long sleeves make it at-least somewhat winter appropriate, no?)
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