Forget anything you thought you knew about complementary and clashing colours: Designers have officially thrown out the rule book and declared that anything goes. While the age-old saying states that brown and blue will never do, it's clear that the fashion crowd have decided otherwise, with the colour pairing trending not only on the runways of designers such as Valentino but also behind the street style lens and on the feeds of our favourite influencers.
Individually, powder blue and conker brown are topping the colour trend charts for autumn/winter 2018, so when paired together, they're a force to be reckoned with. Riding the wave of the "off" colour trend, their soft, faded finish offers a throwback '70s aesthetic to any outfit yet still manages to feel distinctly modern—and seriously expensive.
If the street stylers are anything to go by, the preferred way to wear the trend is going head-to-toe in one colour then adding accessories in the other. For example, Hanna Stefannson used a pale-blue Western shirt and matching flares as the backdrop for tan accessories. Nnenna Echem also made a brown checked suit pop with a powder-blue tote. So easy yet so effective.
Style Notes: This street styler gets her textures right with a fluffy knit and pleated midi, offering the perfect backdrop with an elegant brown handbag.
Style Notes: A brown suit packs plenty of retro appeal, but a flash of powder blue is just the thing it needs to break things up.
Style Notes: Hanna Stefansson heads to the Wild West with this double-denim ensemble. A host of tan accessories make for the perfect partnership.
Style Notes: Everyone's been wearing checked suits this season, but they can be tricky to style. Nnenna Echem makes it look easy with a cream roll-neck and blue clutch.
Style Notes: This showgoer emphasises the trend's vintage vibes with a Rejina Pyo suede jacket and an ankle-grazing maxi skirt.
Style Notes: This fashion editor takes a more colour-blocking approach to the colour pairing with brown trousers and a baby-blue coat.
Shop Blue and Brown Pieces
By Far boots are all we want for Christmas.
Wear with straight-leg jeans and heels.
Joseph's Sevres bag is a future classic.
A wardrobe staple in this season's hottest hue.
We've tried this on, and trust us—it's worth the money.
These look seriously high-end.
Tuck into high-waisted flares for '70s appeal.
Related: Move Over, Pink, Yellow and Green—This Is the #1 Colour Right Now
A cardigan is this season's unexpected hero piece.
A prairie dress in cornflower blue works for all seasons.
We've seen so many people toting this Rejina Pyo handbag.
No one will know these aren't the real deal.
Layer over a white roll-neck.
Cosy, chic and versatile. What's not to love?
A powder-blue twist on a Mansur Gavriel classic.
Knot this onto bags, into your hair or around your neck.
This will look just as good with a white tee as it will with a matching suit jacket.
A high-street spin on the brown-coat trend.
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