6 Brown Shoe Outfits to Recreate This Autumn, According to a Fashion Editor

I can’t lie, I’m over summer. Done. Finito. Finished. I’m over the daily guessing game of whether 31 degrees will actually feel like the depicted temperature, or if instead I’ll be met with grey skies and that underwhelming, muggy meh feeling instead. At this point in August, my mind has already drifted off into autumn. I long for its crisp breeze, the need for stylish, light layers and an earthy colour palette that makes getting dressed feel exciting again.

When I think of dressing for autumn, after the colours, I automatically think of the shoes. From soft leather loafers to knee-high boots, every year, as soon as it begins to chill, I scour the internet for the perfect pairs to enhance my cold-weather capsule wardrobe. And while on my most recent hunt, I couldn’t help but notice the sheer amount of chic brown shoes that are seemingly everywhere right now.

A quick scroll through my socials solidified this fact. From earthy tan hues to rich chocolate shades, brown-clad feet have taken over the fashion set. Whether it’s Miu Miu’s boat shoes (which landed the number five spot in the Lyst Index Q2 report) or the unexpected resurgence of the Timberland loafer, brown footwear is definitely dominating. The brilliance of a brown shoe is that it adds a softer, more textured alternative to its black counterparts, making your outfit feel far more considered, all thanks to a quick colour change.

While it might feel like brown shoes crept onto the scene overnight, their rise has been steadily brewing for years. Back in the pre-autumn 2022 collections, we saw lighter brown tones quietly take shape on the runways, filtering into shows from Eudon Choi to Burberry and Stella McCartney. By autumn/winter 2024, although black footwear still held space, the shift was undeniable. Designers leaned into richer, more luxurious shades, with Gucci, Loro Piana and Tod’s leading the charge. Think, striking maxi coats styled with brown heeled boots and slouchy blue denim grounded by chocolate croc loafers.