Are Brown Shoes In Fashion This Autumn?

Chocolate Brown and Animal Print: Autumn 2025’s Richest Shoe Trends You Can’t Ignore

Autumn has arrived. The crisp air, shorter days, and golden leaves invite us to reach for cosy textures and richer tones. And this year, there’s one colour dominating the conversation: chocolate brown. Deep, versatile, and quietly luxurious, chocolate brown is stepping out from the shadows of black and becoming a staple in shoes, accessories, and wardrobes everywhere.

Alongside it, another perennial favourite continues to roar — leopard print. Long considered a fashion neutral in its own right, leopard remains one of the boldest yet most wearable ways to inject character into an outfit.
Together, chocolate brown and leopard print create the perfect pairing for Autumn 2025 and is the shoe trend combo that promises elegance with a playful edge. In this article, we’ll explore:

•    Why chocolate brown is the colour of the season
•    Why leopard print shoes remain timeless
•    How to style chocolate brown and leopard footwear
•    The Cocorose London edit — including our Clapham Leopard Flats and the soon-to-launch Moorgate Leopard Print Trainers

Why Is Chocolate Brown Trending?

Fashion insiders and runways agree: brown is having a moment. According to colour forecasters and Pantone, rich, chocolate-y brown (often referred to as Mocha Mousse and Deep Cocoa) are among the most important tones for Fall/Winter 2025. They offer that warm, luxe feel without the contrast or sharpness of black and they’re showing up across runways, street style and retail collections from high street to luxury houses. 
If black has always been fashion’s anchor, brown is now its softer, warmer counterpart. It’s comforting, too, and pairs beautifully with natural fibres, earthy tones, and autumn layers, grounding itself in the cosy season.

Why the shift? Brown offers:

•    Warmth: Less harsh than black, it softens an outfit while still grounding it.
•    Versatility: Works with neutrals like cream, camel, grey, olive, and denim.
•    Seasonal depth: Perfectly echoes the earthy palette of autumn.

For shoes, this means brown leather flats, loafers, and trainers are quickly becoming wardrobe essentials. They’re easy to style, flattering across skin tones, and chic in both casual and formal contexts.

Leopard Print: Still Roaring

If brown is warming up, leopard print is adding the confident, playful roar. While some prints fade, leopard has stood the test of time and has remained a recurring favourite year after year. Why? Because it’s both bold and wearable and it’s palette of rich browns, dark tans and blacks makes it as versatile as any neutral, whilst adding instant personality through its pattern.

Fashion editors often call leopard print shoes the “surprise neutral” — able to punch up an all-black look, add vibrancy to denim, or elevate autumn browns with texture and confidence. And in 2025, leopard is not just back; it’s thriving. From ballet flats to trainers, it’s a stylish way to stand out without shouting.

Styling Chocolate Brown & Leopard Shoes

So how do you wear these trends without looking like you’re trying too hard? Here are some ways to make it feel modern, wearable, and you:

1. Tone on Tone Grounding
   Use chocolate brown as your foundation: coat, knitwear, trousers. Then slip on a pair of leopard flats to lift the look. The rich brown tones in the shoes tie in seamlessly whilst the leopard adds edge.
2. Casual Chic
   Denim with a crisp white shirt + Leopard Trainers. Effortless, modern, and ready to go.
3. Workwear Sophistication
   A tailored brown blazer with neutral separates, anchored by leopard print flats and minimal gold jewellery. The shoes break up the uniformity and signal confidence.
4. Pair with Muted Contrast
   Creams, beiges, olive greens, or soft greys work beautifully with chocolate brown. Bag or belt in chocolate – then let leopard print shoes provide the pop. Textures matter too, so try hair-on leopard print leathers for a polished look.
5. Sneaker Flexibility
   Brown sneakers are especially strong this season. They’re comfortable, versatile, and give modern street style energy. A mocha brown tonal pair, or one with leopard print anchored with neutral beige will, no doubt, be worn on repeat.
   

The Cocorose Edit

At Cocorose London, we’ve always believed that style and comfort should go hand in hand. And this season’s brown and leopard trends couldn’t feel more aligned with our philosophy.

•    Clapham Leopard Ballet Flats: Crafted from soft leather with cushioned insoles, these flats are as comfortable as they are striking. A wardrobe anchor that works from desk to dinner.

•    Moorgate Leopard Print Trainers (Coming Soon): With their cushioned support and playful leopard detailing, these trainers are designed for modern women who want comfort, style, and confidence in every step. Customers can sign up now to be the first to know when they launch.

A Final Step Forward

Autumn is all about richness, warmth, and confidence. Chocolate brown brings sophistication, while leopard keeps things playful. Together, they’re the shoe trends defining Fall 2025 — and the perfect opportunity to refresh your wardrobe.

Whether you choose the elegance of the Clapham Leopard Flats or the soon-to-arrive Moorgate Leopard Trainers, Cocorose London has created shoes that carefully blend trend with everyday comfort.

So this season, step forward in rich brown and bold leopard. Two trends, one message: effortless confidence with every step.

FAQ: Chocolate Brown & Leopard Shoe Trends

Q: Is chocolate brown going to replace black shoes?
A: No. Black will always have its place. But expect chocolate brown shoes and tones like mocha, cocoa and mocha mousse to become a go-to for warmth and richness in autumn and winter 2025 because brown pairs naturally with neutrals, denim, and autumn tones like camel, olive, and burgundy, making it one of the most versatile trends of the season.

Q: Can I wear leopard print shoes to work?
A: Yes. Leopard flats or trainers look chic with tailored pieces and add personality to office outfits.

Q: What’s the best way to style leopard and brown together?
A: Use brown as the neutral base and let leopard be the statement accent — shoes, belt, or bag.

Q: Are leopard print shoes still trendy in 2025?
A: Yes. Leopard print cycles in intensity, but leopard has a surprising longevity and remains a classic, with trainers and flats especially popular this season.

Q: How to care for brown leather or suede shoes?
A: Use appropriate leather polishes and conditioners and suede protectors. Spray before your first wear to protect the leathers, avoid excessive water, and store them properly when not in use, ideally with shoe trees or stuffing to maintain their shape.