Polyvore Set Here.

Grab a pen and pad because we’re about to have a briefing on wearing black and brown together.  Yes, it can be done.  No, you shouldn’t be afraid to try it.  

Personally, I love mixing black and tan, and not just in a glass.  It’s a versatile and sophisticated pairing.  And while I don’t mix black with other shades of brown very often, a rich dark brown can be equally chic.

A nude shell is the perfect foundation for any color or style of suit, except khaki.  Khaki and beige is just a boring, and frankly, unappealing combination.  But if you have a beautiful suit and you are wondering what to wear it with, start with a nude shell until you develop some more ideas.

Mixing a basic black suit (I like J.Crew 120s, but I used more expensive pieces in the set to get the look I wanted.) with a nude shell, you can easily add a dark brown belt to bring it up a notch.  To make it work, add in dark brown accessories to pull it together.  Here, I decided to use wooden bangles.  But to keep from going to far with the pairing, I stuck with a basic black pump.  

If you’re feeling Fall 2011’s animal print addiction, then a leopard, calf-hair bag is the perfect compliment to this sophisticated suit.  It’s playful but glamorous, feminine but on trend.  So indulge a bit in animal prints, but not too much.  I don’t want to see anyone wearing leopard print pants.  Unless, of course, you plan on changing your name to Huggy Bear.