Key Takeaways
- Blue and brown is this fall’s trending Y2K color combo. Think Vera Bradley bags, Hannah Montana looks, and trips to Starbucks in the backseat.
- Luckily, the nostalgic pairing is so easy to wear—even if you don’t have a Bobby Jack T-shirt to throw on.
Besides Dorothy Gale with her gingham, my first fashion icons were probably Hannah Montana and my friend’s older cousin whose closet, I’m fairly certain, was entirely Limited Too. Now, I’m realizing they all had something in common: an affinity for the blue and brown color combo.
A favorite of tweens painting their bedroom walls and a sassy monkey named Bobby Jack, brown and blue was the It pairing of the early 2000s—alongside pink and green, of course. And now that guava girl summer is behind us, the moodier choice is ready for its spotlight once again.
Ahead, discover what being a blue and brown girl means in the year 2025. It’s more about cashmere sweater sets than gauchos these days, but you can still find them if you know where to look.
Reformation
About the Combo
Oh, the lore. Oh, the Vera Bradley bags!!! The official VB pattern was called “java blue,” but the world also referred to the color combo as mint chocolate. Versions of it were everywhere: on nails, bedding sets, and in the costume closet at Disney Channel studios.
While the brown was almost always a nice cool chocolate shade back in the day, the blue tone could vary. Teal was major, as was a softer, baby-er blue, particularly when it came to polka dots.
Why It’s Trending
At this point, what style elements from the early 2000s haven’t made their way back into the conversation? I’m happy about this one, though—there’s something nostalgic and cozy about it.
Getty Images
This time around, our blue and brown combos are favoring the gentler shade approach. The look is a continuation of this spring’s baby blue trend, which is good news for anyone who shopped Aritzia’s “dew” colorway or grabbed some “zen” tops from Skims. Brown accessories are easy to come by, so you’ll be all set for styling.
Frankies Bikinis
How to Wear the Trend
Even if you weren’t swaddled in blue and brown polka dots way back when, it’s so easy to get the hang of this trend. Its popularity means brands are pushing out cuter than cute pieces that incorporate both colors. Or, you can mix and match! I love the idea of brown shoes with a blue tight, or vice versa. How about a brown sweater and blue eyeshadow?
Keep scrolling to shop, then head over to ebay and get your hands on some java blue Vera Bradley. Do you smell the coffee brewing? Do you hear Nora Jones’s “Sunrise” playing on repeat?
