Earth tones usually get tied to autumn. No surprise, we picture golden leaves, crackling fireplaces, and the inevitable Pumpkin Spice Latte. Summer, on the other hand, screams bold colours, loud prints, and holiday shirts you probably regret buying. But here’s the thing: if you like your summer style a little sharper, cleaner and more understated, earth tones are a game-changer even when the sun’s blazing. Especially when you pair them with light neutrals like off-white or cream, earthy shades really come into their own. Here’s how to pull them off this season, plus three stylish outfit suggestions worth stealing.
Earth tones bring a grounded calm and subtle elegance to any outfit. They don’t chase trends, they don’t need to shout for attention, yet, styled right, they quietly outshine everything else. Think of them as the understatement heroes of menswear: refined, timeless, and confident without trying too hard. But what exactly counts as an earth tone?
What Are Earth Tones?
We’re talking more than just shades of brown. Earth tones include sandy hues, camel, beige, and richer browns, but also natural greens like olive and khaki, plus warm, clay-inspired shades like terracotta and ochre. Essentially, anything that looks like it belongs in the ground, be it stone, earth or moss, fits the palette. Earth tones play beautifully with crisp whites and neutral tones, but also stand strong against deeper, saturated colours. Go tone-on-tone, and the effect is minimal, modern, and masculine.
Once dismissed as “eco” or “dated,” earth tones have had a renaissance. Even Pantone’s Colour of the Year “PANTONE 17-1230 Mocha Mousse” (yes, it sounds like dessert), is basically a sleek, elevated brown. This shows that earth tones aren’t just timeless, they’re right on trend. So, how to wear earth tones in summer?
Earth Tones in Summer: Style Guide
Espresso & Cream: Contrast Done Right
Whoever said brown was boring clearly never saw it styled properly. Influencer Julius nails the look with a dark brown t-shirt and relaxed ivory chinos. Proof that brown might just be the new black. The deep tee gives the outfit richness without the harshness of black, while the light trousers keep it breezy and summery. Add polished black loafers, a black cap, and subtle accessories like a watch and a ring, and you’ve got yourself a versatile look. Perfect for a laid-back dinner, city weekends, or even a Casual Friday look in the office that doesn’t look like you gave up trying.
Olive & Khaki: Tone-on-Tone Minimalism
You think tone-on-tone looks like something a retiree would wear? Not when it’s done with muted greens. Pair a dustgrey t-shirt with relaxed olive green chinos, and you’ve got a combo that’s fresh, modern, but still understated. It’s colour without the shout. Add white sneakers and layer with a crisp white Oxford shirt for balance, and suddenly you’re rocking an urban, sporty-elegant vibe. Great for day trips, catching up over coffee, or summer dates where you want to look effortless but still put together.
Dark Green & Olive: Tone-on-Tone With an Edge
Tone-on-tone doesn’t have to mean looking like you’re in uniform. Play it smart, and you can create depth and contrast within the same colour family. Influencer Chris shows how it’s done by mixing olive trousers with a deeper dark green t-shirt. The contrast between light and dark or saturated and soft shades keeps the look dynamic, while staying in the earthy spectrum. Add grey sneakers, a watch, and a sharp pair of sunglasses, and you’re good to go. Clean, modern, and unfussy. Perfect for those hot days when the last thing you want is to overthink your outfit.
How to Wear Earth Tones in Summer: Conclusion
While everyone else is sweating it out in loud prints, earth tones let you stay cool in every sense. They bring structure, ease and quiet class to your wardrobe without ever feeling like you’re trying too hard. Especially when paired with clean silhouettes and natural fabrics like linen, cotton, or hemp, you get outfits that are light, summery, and masculine.
The beauty of earth tones is their versatility: they work for any time of day, any season, any setting. Like a double espresso, they’re timeless: morning, noon, or night, summer, autumn, winter or spring alike. They work for any occasion and any style. Which is exactly why earth tones aren’t just a safe bet, they’re the smartest move you can make, any season, any setting, any time.