October's Defining Hue: A Refined Shift Away From Denim

Want to know the fastest way to give your wardrobe an autumnal update? Swap your pale blue jeans for a rich brown pair. Whilst pale blue denim is versatile and ubiquitous, I find that its lighter wash brings a brighter, more summery energy to a look. Switch it for an earthy chocolate-brown shade, and suddenly your outfit feels more considered and seasonally appropriate, with very little extra effort.

Putting the styling trick to the test, I spotted Gigi Hadid in Milan this week wearing an off-duty combination of a pink striped long-sleeve T-shirt and chocolate-brown jeans. Had she opted for blue denim, the pale pink would have lent her look a distinctly spring-ready feel. Instead, the darker wash grounded the colour combination and gave it a richer, more autumnal energy without making the outfit look overly heavy.

Gigi Hadid walks down the street in Milan wearing brown straight leg jeans with loafers and a striped t-shirt. — (Image credit: Backgrid)

Not the only one straying from blue right now, across Fashion Month so far, I've spotted beige, khaki and brown jeans appearing alongside the usual blue styles. Perhaps even more versatile than your go-to blue pair, brown denim works well with the moodier palette we tend to reach for in the cooler months, from burgundy and olive to cream and chocolate.

Less formal than tailored trousers but more polished than your everyday blue jeans, brown denim might just be the easiest way to make your autumn wardrobe feel a little more elevated. Read on for the chocolate-brown pairs I'm eyeing up below.