Brown maxi dresses

A brown maxi dress is basically your black maxi's warmer, more interesting sister. It does everything a black one does and looks just as expensive, but feels fresher and a little more now. The shade runs from deep chocolate and espresso to soft caramel and light brown, and it flatters pretty much everyone. Our brown maxi dress edit covers it all, in fluid satin, breezy linen and that very of-the-moment polka dot, in sizes 4 to 20. Free UK delivery over £100, because the cooler months are calling.

Here's how to actually style it

The best thing about a brown maxi is how little effort it actually needs. For a casual day, keep it relaxed: flat sandals or white trainers, a denim jacket or an oversized shirt, gold hoops and a tote. Done. The warmth of the colour does the rest.

To take it out at night, swap to strappy heels, add a clutch and some gold jewellery, and let the dress be the whole look. Chocolate and espresso browns feel rich and expensive after six, so they barely need anything. When it cools down, this is where a brown maxi really shines: layer a leather jacket or blazer over the top, add boots, and you have an outfit that looks effortless and very put-together. As for shoes (because everyone asks), tan, nude and gold keep it warm and leg-lengthening, black or cream add a bit of contrast, and knee-high boots make a long sleeve brown maxi feel properly autumnal. Colour-wise, brown plays beautifully with cream, white, tan, gold, denim and even a little leopard if you are feeling it. Honestly, it is one of the easiest dresses to make look expensive, which is exactly why everyone is reaching for it right now.

Chocolate, caramel, and where each one lands

The shade decides the vibe. Deep chocolate and dark brown are your rich, dressy, almost-formal browns, gorgeous in satin or silk for an evening event or even a wedding (brown is a quietly brilliant guest colour). Caramel and light brown are softer and more daytime, lovely in linen or a floral print for a lunch or a holiday. Then there is the fun stuff: a brown polka dot maxi has a retro, seventies charm, and a strapless or halter cut adds a bit of drama for warm weather. A long sleeve or with-sleeves style takes brown happily into winter. 

Still in a brown mood?

If brown is your thing, brown midi dresses and brown mini dresses take the hem up, brown dresses gathers every brown in one place, and maxi dresses has the same long length in every other colour.