Every fall, the little black dress makes its usual case. This year, we're letting it sit one out.
Chocolate brown is the color of the season. It's all over the runways, the street style photos, and every stylist's fall roundup, and the reason keeps coming up the same way: it does everything black does, just warmer. It grounds an outfit, works from morning meetings to dinner, and goes with nearly everything in your closet.
We've been feeling it too. So for fall, we made brown our own: Mocha Scribble, a rich, deep brown print, hand screen printed in India on silky modal with dresses, a skirt, and tops you'll reach for all season.
Here's why it works so well in your closet rotation:
It's warmer on the skin. Brown flatters a wider range of skin tones than stark black, and it softens the face instead of washing it out under gray fall light.
It plays well with others. Brown pairs beautifully with the rest of fall's palette: cream, camel, olive, burgundy, even a pop of turquoise. Black tends to swallow color; brown makes it glow.
It still reads polished. A brown dress looks just as pulled-together as a black one. It just feels a little more relaxed, a little more intentional.
The Mata twist: brown with texture
Solid brown can fall flat. So we drew on it.
Mocha Scribble layers loose, hand-drawn marks in black over a deep mocha ground. From across the room, it reads as a rich neutral you can style like a solid. Up close, it's a print with movement and depth, the kind of detail that makes people ask where you got it.
And because every length of this fabric is printed by hand using traditional screen printing techniques, no two pieces are exactly alike. You may see small shifts in pattern or ink from one garment to the next. We think that's the best part: it's the mark of a real person's hands, not a machine.
Why silky modal
We chose modal for this collection because it drapes like a dream. It has a soft, silky hand and a fluid movement that feels dressy without being fussy, and it's breathable enough to wear on a warm October afternoon and easy to layer under a sweater or coat when temperatures drop.
In other words: it feels like a treat, and it works like a staple.
Shop the Mocha Scribble collection
Liliana V-Neck Long Sleeve Dress — $229
The showstopper. A smocked stretch bodice gives an easy, flattering fit up top, then the skirt falls into a light, flowy midi. Full sleeves with elasticated cuffs, a cotton lining, and yes, hidden pockets. Available XS to 3X.
Sarah Shirtdress — $214
A long sleeve belted shirtdress that goes straight from desk to dinner. Cinch the waist, add knee-high boots, done. Available XS to XL.
Nikita Dress — $199
Our pinafore-style dress is made for layering. Slip it over a black or cream turtleneck with tights and heels for an easy fall uniform that looks like you tried harder than you did. Available XS to XL.
Mila Midi Skirt — $164
A tiered midi skirt with all the swing. Pair it with a fitted black top and pointed flats, or tuck in a chunky cream knit for weekends. Available XS to XL.
Carey Trapeze Shirt — $149
A button front trapeze shirt that makes jeans feel like an outfit. Wear it loose, half-tucked, or open over a tank. Available XS to 3X.
Taylor Drop Shoulder Top — $124
Relaxed and oversized with a dropped shoulder, this is your everyday brown. Throw it on with denim or tuck it into trousers. Available XS/S to XL/1X.
How to wear mocha brown this fall
Go tonal. Brown-on-brown is having a real moment. Pair the Mila Midi Skirt with a chocolate sweater, or add a camel coat and brown boots to the Liliana for a head-to-toe look that feels rich, not monotone.
Anchor it with blue. Blue jeans and brown tops are a classic for a reason. Add jeans with your favorite style of top and see the scribble pattern pop.
Choose gold over silver. Gold jewelry and hardware bring out the warmth in brown. Think gold hoops, a chain necklace, or a bag with brass details.
Get the boots. Chocolate brown knee-high boots are the boot of the season, and they were practically made for the Sarah Shirtdress.
Add one pop of color. Burgundy, olive, or even turquoise look incredible against mocha. Try a scarf, a bag, or a bold lip.
Fair Trade Fashion, Modern Looks
Every piece in the Mocha Scribble collection is designed in Chicago and made fair trade in India by one of our longstanding production partners. That means safe working conditions, fair wages, and the preservation of traditional craft like hand screen printing, all stitched into a dress you'll wear for years, not weeks.
Move over, black. Fall looks better in mocha.