‘No brown in town’: can you wear brown in the city?

No brown in town. Perhaps you have heard this English expression before. Literally: no brown in the city. But where does this remarkable style rule actually come from?

From the countryside to the city

In the British tradition of clothing, brown was long associated with the countryside. Think of tweed, sturdy fabrics, and earthy tones that suited outdoor life and activities such as hiking and hunting.
In the city, wardrobes traditionally looked more formal. Dark colors like black, grey, and navy blue were preferred. This is how the well-known expression no brown in town originated.
As a result, brown shoes were also considered less formal than black shoes for a long time within classic British men's fashion.

“Brown used to be a real country color. Hence the English expression ‘no brown in town’.”

Today, brown is meant to be seen

Fortunately, clothing rules evolve with the times. Today, brown is by no means limited to the countryside. What’s more, this autumn and winter season, the color is once again taking a prominent place in the fashion scene.
From warm chocolate and coffee tones to softer camel: brown brings warmth to your wardrobe and is surprisingly easy to combine. Tone-on-tone for a calm, elegant look, or as a warm counterpart to ecru, black, and other winter shades.

A warm look at the new season

Brown is also given plenty of space within the Marie Méro collection. In feminine silhouettes, warm materials, and combinations that you can wear differently throughout the season.
A color that once belonged primarily to the English countryside is today easily conquering the city once again.

Discover our brown tones and get inspired by the collection.

Would you like to stay informed about etiquette, clothing, and the stories behind what we wear? Then follow Where etiquette meets the Marie Méro label for even more tips from Isabelle Coppens.