As a shopping editor, I’m always fascinated to see a color trend start to take over not only on Instagram and TikTok but also in the new-arrivals sections of our favorite retailers. I recently covered how brown is still going strong into spring and summer 2026, but there is one piece, in particular, that I am seeing more than the rest: brown dresses. It is to the point that, in many cases, I have noticed that when a chic brown dress hits a site like Zara or Nordstrom, it quickly sells outs, even when there is a black or white option available.

With all that in mind, I set out to find chic outfit ideas featuring brown dresses along with an edit of the chicest options available now. I included a variety of looks spanning from formal to casual, but any of the styles can easily be dressed up or down with a quick shoe swap. Think everything from kitten heels to strappy sandals to flip-flops and jelly picks.