Espresso Martini: The Rich-Looking Color Combo That’s Already Everywhere

Level with us for a second: Did your Spotify Wrapped include Sabrina Carpenter’s breakout single “Espresso”? No shame; you’re not alone, friends! Even if you’re not the type of person to play pop music on repeat, the impact of this particular song has likely permeated your own life—or, at the very least, your social feed or shopping cart. We’d go so far as to argue that having so many people singing, “That’s that me espresso,” at the top of their lungs for the last year has single-handedly re-caffeinated one of the “dullest” colours: dark brown. If you’ve kept up with colour trends more than what’s charting in music, it should be no surprise that this neutral hue has continued to dominate every aspect of the cultural zeitgeist—from the runway collections of Bottega Veneta, Ferragamo, and Saint Laurent to the clothing racks of our favourite influencers. One may wonder, what exactly makes dark brown such a delicious shade that the fashion crowd continuously eats it up? Well, put simply, it’s continued to evolve in collections over the past couple of years.

We’ve seen the dark-brown colour trend adapt from caramel to chocolate brown to its most recent iteration, “espresso martini”—i.e., the nickname we use to describe the version of this shade so dark that it closely resembles the iconic cocktail. One could argue that the more recent ultra-dark brown we’ve seen emerge is the most grown-up version of this colour trend to date, as it not only closely resembles black but can act as a shot of espresso for everyday staples. It’s no wonder, then, that we’ve quickly seen this colour show up everywhere. But even though this colour has become as mainstream as pop music, it’s understandable if you’re still unsure how to wear dark brown. Luckily, we’re working late to make it easier for you (sorry, last Carpenter pun).

Below, you’ll find nine dark-brown outfit ideas, styling tips, and even shopping recommendations to make adopting this colour easier than trying to down an espresso martini.

Styling Notes: While mixing in different colours and textures is a surefire way to spice up this “simple” shade, you can also go for something more risqué. Consider styling a dark brown blazer as a minidress for a night out. If you want to make the look a little more modest, add matching tights and sleek slingback heels.

Styling Notes: When you can’t be bothered to put on pants, consider a posh leather skirt instead. You can make this dark brown separate transition from a day at the office to an early dinner reservation by pairing it with a matching knit top and pointed mules.