What to Wear With Brown Boots: 20 Chic Brown-Boot Outfits

(Image credit: @emmaleger; @piashah_; @ingridedvinsen)

last updated 3 January 2025

Let's set the record straight right now. Black boots will always be a foundational basic, period, so if your first reaction to opening this story was to scream "I can't possibly say goodbye to my black boots," there is no need to stress yourself out. We'll never deny the enduring allure of the color black, especially if it's in the form of a pair of knee-high, thigh-high, or ankle boots. If we're being honest, black boots will always be the winter basic because they can be paired with just about anything. However, we'd argue that there's an alternative shade worthy of your attention—ahem, brown. Hear us out. Brown boots have just as much styling range as any old black pair.

Not only does brown pair well with so many other shades, but in the same capacity as black, it can also make any outfit feel more sophisticated. On top of that, there are so many variations of brown—from dark chocolate to light caramel to Mocha Mousse to warm chestnut—that it's far easier to choose a version that's complementary to all the colors already in your closet. Basically, brown boots are a foundational basic in their own right. Of course, if you're not used to wearing anything but black, you might be unsure of how to wear brown boots. Luckily, that's where we come in handy.

In an effort to prove that brown boots are a superior staple, we scoured the internet in search of styling inspiration that can act as your comprehensive guide on what to wear with brown boots. Ahead, you'll find 20 outfit ideas, styling tips, and even a curation of the best brown boots at every price point. Fair warning: These looks may make you want to break it off with your black boots (for now).

A woman standing outside by a ski chalet in the mountains wearing a long tan coat over a gray sweatshirt with baggy jeans and brown Ugg boots.

WEAR: Long Brown Coat + Gray Sweatshirt + Baggy Jeans + Brown Snow Boots

Styling Notes: Did you think brown snow boots couldn't be nearly as sophisticated as a black pair? Think again. Pair your coziest brown boots with a long brown coat in a matching color to dress them up.

UGG

Classic Mini II Genuine Shearling Lined Boot

A woman standing on the sidewalk wearing a light brown cropped fur coat with dark brown trousers, brown ankle boots, and a brown handbag.

WEAR: Brown Fur Jacket + Brown Sweater + Brown Trousers + Brown Ankle Boots + Brown Handbag

Styling Notes: Don't be afraid to go for a full-on tonal look. We always do it with black, so why can't we do the same with brown? It will make styling your boots much easier, and it's ultra-elegant.

Everlane

The Havana Boot

A woman standing outside a library wearing a light tan suede jacket with a white t-shirt, a suede skirt, and knee-high chocolate brown boots.

WEAR: Sunglasses + Earrings + Suede Jacket + T-Shirt + Suede Skirt + Dark-Brown Knee-High Boots + Shoulder Bag

Styling Notes: If you're stuck on what colors to pair brown with, ease into it by mixing shades of brown. A suede jacket and matching skirt make a simple pair of brown boots all the more sophisticated.

Nordstrom

Kora Tall Boot

A woman standing on the sidewalk wearing a long tan coat over tan trousers styled with brown cow print ankle boots, a brown handbag, and a cable knit sweater.

WEAR: Gold Earrings + Tan Maxi Coat + Belt + Tan Trousers + Brown Animal-Print Booties + Brown Handbag

Styling Notes: Break up a monochrome look by styling it with brown animal-print ankle boots. It's the perfect way to add an edge to any otherwise minimal ensemble.

STAUD

Wally Ankle Boot in Lady Leopard

A woman standing outside wearing a light tan blazer over a turtleneck, olive green trousers, and snakeskin ankle boots.

WEAR: Tan Blazer + Light-Brown Turtleneck + Olive-Green Trousers + Brown Snakeskin Ankle Boots

Styling Notes: Don't have separates in the same shade of brown? Opt for a pair of brown snakeskin boots to pull the different tones of your pieces together.

Franco Sarto

Briar Dress Ankle Bootie

A woman standing outside in a doorway wearing a long black coat over a black crewneck sweater, black miniskirt, brown knee-high boots, brown handbag, and gold earrings.

WEAR: '80s Earrings + Long Black Coat + Black Crewneck Sweater + Black Miniskirt + Black Sheer Tights + Brown Knee-High Boots + Brown Handbag

Styling Notes: If you're dubious about ditching your all-black ensembles during winter, start by making small swaps with your accessories. For example, you can break from wearing head-to-toe black by incorporating a pair of dark-brown knee-high boots and a small handbag into the mix.

Sam Edelman

Sylvia Knee-High Boot

A woman standing on the sidewalk wearing a black beanie, sunglasses, a brown cropped coat, brown sweater, black leggings, brown knee-high boots, and a black handbag.

WEAR: Black Beanie + Sunglasses + Brown Cropped Coat + Brown Sweater + Black Leggings + Brown Knee-High Boots + Black Handbag

Styling Notes: One way to make black and brown more approachable is to embrace color-blocking, as shown above. A pair of black leggings can become far chicer when styled with brown knee-high boots and a cropped coat.

Stuart Weitzman

Naomi 50 Boot

A woman wearing a black turtleneck, a brown leather shearling jacket, black jeans, brown ankle boots, and a black bag.

WEAR: Black Turtleneck + Shearling Jacket + Black Jeans + Brown Ankle Boots + Black Shoulder Bag

Styling Notes: Don't feel comfortable breaking "the rule" of wearing black and brown together? Opt for a shearling jacket that can pull the two shades together. The outerwear will make your black turtleneck and relaxed jeans perfectly match your brown ankle boots.

SAINT LAURENT

Niki Embellished Leather Ankle Boots

A woman standing on the sidewalk wearing a long suede trench coat, white t-shirt, straight-leg jeans, brown ankle boots, and a brown mini bag.

WEAR: Brown Sunglasses + Brown Suede Trench Coat + White T-Shirt + Straight-Leg Jeans + Brown Ankle Boots + Brown Mini Bag

Styling Notes: It's best to keep it simple when in doubt. You don't have to do too much. Simply pair your pointed ankle boots with a matching suede trench coat, a white tee, and straight-leg jeans.

FRĒDA SALVADOR

Lanna Leather Boots

A woman standing in a garden wearing a tan blazer, a tan sweater, skinny jeans, brown suede knee boots, and a brown handbag.

WEAR: Tan Boxy Blazer + Tan Crewneck Sweater + Belt + Skinny Jeans + Chocolate-Brown Suede Knee-High Boots + Cardigan + Suede Tote Bag

Styling Notes: When you're bored of your basics, try embracing some texture through your shoe choice. There's something about a pair of brown suede boots that can make any staple feel more sophisticated—even skinny jeans, a T-shirt, and a boxy blazer.

Steve Madden

Lucid Boots in Brown Suede

A woman standing outside wearing a jean jacket with dark wash straight-leg jeans, brown ankle boots, and a brown slouchy bag.

WEAR: Sunglasses + Denim Jacket + Tan Slouchy Bag + Straight-Leg Jeans + Brown Ankle Boots

Styling Notes: Nothing looks as polished as brown ankle boots paired with double denim. Just be sure to style your shoes with denim in a similar wash—e.g., a dark-wash denim jacket and jeans look best with chocolate ankle booties.

MANGO

Squared Toe Leather Ankle Boots

A woman taking a mirror selfie wearing a navy blue turtleneck, dark wash jeans, brown ankle boots, and a brown clutch bag.

WEAR: Navy Turtleneck Sweater + Dark-Wash Straight-Leg Jeans + Brown Ankle Boots + Brown Clutch Bag

Styling Notes: You don't have to opt for a Canadian tuxedo to tap into the head-to-toe navy-and-brown palette. In fact, you can wear a pair of dark-wash jeans with a navy turtleneck, brown ankle boots, and a brown clutch bag to get the same effect.

Vince Camuto

Beetric Pointy Toe Bootie

A woman standing on the sidewalk wearing a brown blazer, gray scarf, gray pleated miniskirt, gray socks, and brown knee-high boots.

WEAR: Gray Scarf + Brown Blazer + Tank Top + Gray Pleated Miniskirt + Brown Riding Boots + Brown Shoulder Bag

Styling Notes: What's another color that looks incredibly chic with brown? Charcoal gray. Style your favorite boxy brown blazer with a gray pleated miniskirt and brown riding boots for a sophisticated way to wear this shade.

Coach

Madeline Leather Boots

A woman standing outside a coffee shop wearing a tan barn jacket, a chocolate brown t-shirt, a long tan cargo skirt, brown handbag, and brown knee-high boots.

WEAR: Tan Barn Jacket + Dark-Brown Baby Tee + Tan Cargo Skirt + Brown Belt + Brown Knee-High Boots + Brown Shoulder Bag

Styling Notes: When you want to make your brown boots a little less polished and a bit edgier, go for a look that 2000s inspired. Pair your brown knee-high boots with a barn jacket, baby tee, and cargo skirt for an effortlessly cool look.

ZARA

Thin Heeled Boots

A woman standing on the sidewalk wearing an olive green trench coat, tan turtleneck, white jeans, studded brown belt, suede ankle boots, and an oversize handbag.

WEAR: Olive-Green Trench Coat + Tan Turtleneck + Brown Studded Belt + White Baggy Jeans + Tan Suede Ankle Boots + Dark-Brown Tote Bag

Styling Notes: Not all brown boots have to be on the darker side of the spectrum. A lighter pair is an excellent alternative if you want to break out of the all-black rotation. Don't be afraid to mix unexpected colors into your ensembles, such as white jeans or an olive-green trench coat.

KHAITE

Nevada Suede Ankle Boots

A woman walking on the sidewalk wearing a long tan coat over a white mohair crewneck, a white miniskirt, chocolate brown knee-high boots, and a brown handbag.

WEAR: Tan Wrap Coat + White Oversize Sweater + White Miniskirt + Brown Knee-High Boots + Brown Handbag

Styling Notes: One way to make your brown boots even chicer? Opt for a full neutral-tone look. Nothing looks more elegant than a camel coat, white sweater, white miniskirt, and chocolate-brown croc booties.

Tony Bianco

Fantasy Heeled Boot

A woman sitting on a windowsill wearing a white cardigan, white slip skirt, tan slouchy suede boots, and a white shoulder bag.

WEAR: White Cardigan + White Slip Skirt + White Handbag + Tan Suede Slouchy Boots

Styling Notes: When you're at a loss for what to wear with light-brown boots, lean into a brighter color palette. You can't go wrong with styling slouchy suede boots with a white slip skirt, cardigan, and shoulder bag.

Reformation

Rosie Mid Shaft Boot

A woman sitting on a couch wearing black sunglasses, a black slip dress, a black handbag, and brown knee-high cowboy boots.

WEAR: Sunglasses + Shoulder Bag + Black Slip Dress + Tan Knee-High Boots

Styling Notes: While brown boots are a great winter staple, you don't have to limit wearing them to one season! For example, you can wear knee-high brown boots well into the spring and summer by pairing them with a black slip dress, a shoulder bag, and sunglasses.

Dolce Vita

Raj Boots in Chocolate Leather

A woman standing outside wearing a gray sweaterdress, brown knee-high boots, and a brown handbag.

WEAR: Gray Sweaterdress + Brown Handbag + Brown Knee-High Boots

Styling Notes: When the weather forecast is far too cold to wear a slip dress, swap it out for a cozy knit dress. It's an effortless outfit formula that looks elegant every single time.

Jeffrey Campbell

Sincerely Boots

A woman standing in the street wearing a brown suede jacket over a black minidress, brown handbag, and brown knee-high boots.

WEAR: Suede Blazer + Brown Shoulder Bag + Black Minidress + Brown Riding Boots

Styling Notes: Hopefully, by now, you've got ample inspiration on what to wear with brown boots. If you're still at a loss, consider the outfit above the only blueprint that you need. Pairing your shoes with other staples, such as a little black dress and suede jacket, is always a safe bet.

Brunello Cucinelli

Leather Knee-High Boots

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Jasmine Fox-Suliaman is a freelance writer and editor living in New York City. What began as a pastime (blogging on Tumblr) transformed into a lifelong passion for unveiling the connection between fashion and culture on the internet and in real life. Over the last decade, she's melded her extensive edit and social background to various on-staff positions at Who What Wear, MyDomaine, and Byrdie. More recently, she’s become a freelance contributor to other publications including Vogue, Editorialist, and The Cut. Off the clock, you can find her clutching her cell phone as she's constantly scrolling through TikTok and The RealReal, in search of the next cool thing.