Dan Levy Just Perfectly Executed a Brown-and-Black Tuxedo at the Emmys

From Esquire

Traditionally speaking, pairing brown and black—especially with formalwear—is regarded as a no-no. But we now exist in an era where most style rules are enjoying retirement, leaving room for admirable levels of creativity. And Schitt's Creek star Dan Levy put on a master class in this sort of rule-breaking when he stepped onto the red carpet at the 2019 Emmys.

Photo credit: John Shearer - Getty Images
Photo credit: John Shearer - Getty Images

Levy, who knows his way around a good outfit, showed up in a brown, double-breasted, peak-lapel tuxedo. Those lapels? They're black. As are his shoes, bow-tie, and trademark thick-rimmed glasses. The shirt? White, naturally. But, once more, the tux itself is predominantly brown. The whole thing put together isn't the sort of over-the top ensemble that'll induce whiplash. But it's solid, and subtle, and just the right kind of execution you can learn from.

Photo credit: John Shearer - Getty Images
Photo credit: John Shearer - Getty Images

The key in gleaning inspiration from this relatively low-key flex lies in its minimalism. If you're going to go for a brown-and-black pairing, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, find a shade of brown that works. You can really go two ways with this—on the darker, muted, chocolatey side that Levy went with, or all the way on the other end with lighter shades like camel. Anything else can look like an "I got dressed with the lights off" situation. Once you're locked in there, carry black through as an accent, and keep it at that.

Levy pulled it off perfectly Sunday night—and you don't need to get all dressed up to give it a shot either. Just work a brown blazer into your wardrobe, and try it with black shoes (or maybe even trousers). Again, you might not turn heads, but you very well may provoke a raised eyebrow or two—in the best way, of course.

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