Spring gave us ‘Ronald McDonald core’ and summer continued with butter yellow and blue. But fall’s “it” color combo is transporting us way back to the early aughts. Yup, teal-and-brown is back ladies—and it may convince you to channel your inner Hannah Montana (or shudder at the thought of doing DC layering again). I chatted with top stylists for how to rock it in 2025.
This Controversial Y2K Trend Is Back—Here’s How to Wear It In 2025 (Plus 1 Look to Avoid)
Plus, helpful tips from professional stylists
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Published Oct 2, 2025
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Meet the Experts
- Renée Lara is a fashion stylist and the owner of Renée Lara Style. She has over 20 years of experience working at the intersection of wellness and wardrobe. Renée empowers women to feel more alive and authentic in their own bodies through bespoke wardrobes that support their confidence and self-expression.
- Erin Walsh is a celebrity stylist, creative director and fashion style expert for Marshalls and TJMaxx with a visionary approach to fashion and the idea that style can empower you to manifest the life of your dreams. Her clients include Anne Hathaway and Selena Gomez.
- Samantha Dawn is a personal stylist and style coach for female leaders and CEOs worldwide. She combines psychology and style strategies to help women find themselves while creating an intentional wardrobe.
Let’s Take a Trip Down Memory Lane
The teal/brown colorway first took hold in the late ‘90s and early 00’s, with the rise of Juicy Couture, Abercrombie & Fitch and True Religion, all of whom were known for products and lookbooks that married the hues. The classic Vera Bradley Java Blue shoulder bag may be the most iconic representation, and led to countless knock-offs and paisley, quilted homages in the handbag and luggage category. But whether you were into vibrant teal tops or simply the turquoise/leather belt, pre-Instagram Coachella vibe, the pairing was ubiquitous for girls and women of a certain age. Think: Nicole Richie, Paris Hilton, Hilary Duff and even Ms. Miley herself.
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And now, the combination is back with teal popping up on runways from Fendi to Tory Burch during NYFW and Pantone proclaiming both shades as top trends for fall.
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But the real question is: can you *actually* pull it off in 2025 without giving teen popstar? Absolutely. “The charm lies in how this palette of browns and blues complements all skin tones. From the warm hues of deep merlot browns to soft baby blues, there's just something about this color pairing that invites us to embrace our coolness and presence,” shares Lara.
The secret to rocking it in 2025? It’s all about balance. “From a stylist’s perspective, pairing these opposing undertones creates visual interest and depth in an outfit,” says Dawn. The warm, rich tones evoke comfort and familiarity, while the cooler, cosmic-inspired shades add an unexpected, dreamy edge.”
Ready to nail this comeback color combo? Here are four tips to follow this season—plus, one look you probably want to avoid
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1. Add a Neutral Base
If you’re looking to ease into the trend, Walsh suggests this classic technique to make everything cohesive. Also known as the three-color-rule, consider pairing a neutral base with two statement pieces. “For example, a brown coat with a teal dress paired with neutral shoes balances the outfit in a way that feels and looks effortless.”
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2. Incorporate Into Your Accessories
“Embrace brown shades while adding touches of blue to your shoes, scarves, nails or jewelry,” says Lara. “Not your typical style or color palette? Switch it up! Emphasize the blues in your outfit and layer with browns, from trench coats to dark chocolate boots.”
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3. Play with Texture
Whether it’s leather boots with a pleated teal maxi dress or this denim brown set with a leather teal handbag, mixed textures means fashion-forward and “makes the pairing feel modern and intentional,” according to Walsh.
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4. Develop a Cohesive Color Story
Dawn recommends having one color—brown or teal—appear at least twice in your outfit, for a look that’s uniform and intentional. See how the above teal trousers and bag create balance and let the brown coat be the focal point?
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The One Style to Avoid…
Two words: Paisley print. It was a questionable in 2001 and it’s questionable now. Sorry, not sorry.
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