Earth Tones in Menswear: Stylish Outfit Inspiration

Trends come and go in the ever-evolving fashion landscape, but some styles possess a timeless charm that defies passing fads. Last season witnessed a resurgence of earth tones, a palette rooted in the natural world, and celebrated for its versatile and sophisticated appeal. This season, the trend reaches its peak with fall/winter menswear collections being based on color palettes composed of an array of inviting, muted hues inspired by the diverse elements of nature. The earth tone trend has captured the hearts of designers and fashion enthusiasts alike, offering a rich and elegant aesthetic for both business and casual outfits. When seen in sportswear and athleisure garments, earth tones can work to create more fashion-forward looks.

Earth tones encompass an enchanting spectrum of colors, drawing inspiration from landscapes, minerals, and vegetation. Think of rich terracotta, deep olive, warm sienna, serene sand, stone blue and rustic brown – each shade a tribute to the organic hues of the raw materials surrounding us. These colors possess an understated elegance and raw beauty that resonates with the grounded and mindful fashion connoisseur. These color combinations made up of earth colors are versatile and can easily be combined, allowing you to experiment with textures, fabrics, and silhouettes to create intricate, multi-layered looks! You can wear outfits with colorful contrast, tone-on-tone or monochrome looks, and even some pop-of-earth tone ensembles that balance out adventurous neutrals with black or white. Whether adorning a pair of cargo pants, a trendy bomber jacket, a pair of brown shoes, or topping off your look with a stylish green hat, these colors create a modern yet elegant air. Be the talk of the town this fall by wearing taupe – an adventurous neutral that mixes grey and brown together. For the best seasonal selection, look to brands such as Zegna, Brunello Cucinelli, Lemaire, Loro Piana, and Tom Ford, as they have excelled in embracing this trend. Read on to discover the main colors that make up the earth-tone trend, how to style them, and finally, how to shop earth-tones to create outfits utilizing pieces already in your wardrobe. 

Olive green is the color that strikes a balance between elegance and relaxation. It is a color that recalls nature in its most essential forms, a symbol of balance and serenity. This shade is extremely versatile and suits a wide range of dress codes and aesthetics, from casual to elegant. In the menswear canon, olive green has most often been used for military jackets, cargo pants, and sweaters, but recently it has gained popularity in the designs of blazers and long coats. Olive green is ideal for colder seasons but can be worn year-round. For a casual look, the perfect match is a green jacket with a pair of jeans and a plain t-shirt. For a more sophisticated occasion, a green blazer can be combined with on-trend raw umber or beige formal trousers.

If you are thinking about adding something olive green to your collection this fall, but aren’t sure exactly what, take a look at what you currently own in neutral tones such as white, gray, and black, and simply shop for an olive green accessory or garment to compliment. If olive green isn’t your taste, terracotta is the trending earth-tone color of a reddish brown that resembles the color of fired clay and adds a touch of warmth to any outfit. In menswear, terracotta is favored for cozy pieces like knitwear, jackets, and accessories, and is worn mostly in the autumn and winter months. In light of the major trend of earth tones in menswear fashion palettes, warm colors like terracotta, warm sienna, and brown will be seen next spring in lighter shades. Fall is perfect for terracotta or warm brown jackets, pants, and leather loafers, while terracotta cardigans can be paired with beige trousers to create a welcoming look in warmer weather. With tone-on-tone outfits, we recommend choosing all cold tones or all warm tones to create the most cohesive, put-together look. To create contrast, you can pair these hues with dark blue or grey. Leather accessories, in brown or tan, perfectly complete a look with a classic feel.

As previously mentioned, taupe is the fashion-forward color currently taking over our feeds. It is a mix of brown and grey that adapts perfectly to loungewear and athletic apparel. We love it for monochrome looks or paired with the closely related champagne grey. Transform your off-duty style by switching out your usual black and white sweatshirts and joggers for some taupe and champagne grey clothes this season.

Styling and combining the earthy color palette of this fall and winter can seem like a challenging endeavor, but with a few practical tips, it’s possible to create elegant and versatile outfits that maximize the beauty of these elevated neutrals. Here, we help you to understand the best combinations of earth-tone colors, how to integrate them into your wardrobe, and show them off on the right occasion. When dealing with a color palette full of neutral hues, the most classic color combos are the best place to start. These neutrals can be paired for style success. Beige and Brown: an unbeatable duo that offers a refined and timeless look. For an everyday outfit, try pairing a pair of beige pants with a brown sweater. You can elevate the look by adding accessories like a belt or a scarf in a matching color or gold jewelry that will go nicely with the warmth of brown.

Olive green with grey: this season’s hottest grey shades have champagne and brown undertones, is a modern and classy pairing. There is something very tactile about olive green which makes it work particularly well for workwear. For the office, try pairing a pair of olive green trousers with an anthracite blazer and a white shirt underneath. For a look that must take you from day to night, you can wear a perfectly balanced combination of champagne grey and olive green with a grey overcoat worn over a green wool sweater. If you are looking for something lighter on the eyes, we love the pairing of sandy beige with a creamy off-white. Wearing white is no longer prohibited outside of summer, and when combined with a sand or beige color can offer a clean delicacy to your outfits. For an effortless, relaxed outfit, consider a light jacket in a sandy shade of beige over a white t-shirt and chino pants. To spice things up with your outfits this season, consider mixing and matching these different natural tones to create a harmonious contrast. This approach can bring about intriguing ensembles.

Accessories are essential to complete any stylish outfit – especially the earth-tone-centric looks that you’ll be sporting this season. Choosing the right accessories can make the difference between a harmless look and a memorable one. Leather shoes and belts are essential accessories in menswear as they complete each outfit, whether casual or formal. These accessories in brown or caramel-colored leather are ideal for combinations with natural tones, giving every look a timeless, sophisticated aura. Whereas lighter hues of beige and sand give your style a welcoming softness.

In the market for a new bag or backpack? Opt for bags and backpacks in leather or natural fabrics in shades of brown, beige, or olive green, you can find great options from Burberry and Acne Studios. These accessories are not only functional but will pair perfectly with olive greens, taupe, champagne grey, and the rest of your neutral color palette. As temperatures drop and you start to reach for accessories to keep you warm, just add a sand-colored hat or a taupe scarf for a finishing touch – even with jeans and a hoodie – that reflects how in tune you are with the latest trends. When investing in pieces that recall mother nature, be sure to take a look at the conscious selection by LVRSustainable.