Brown lingerie has two different markets. For deep skin tones, a chocolate or espresso shade is the only color that stays invisible under light clothing, and brands that offer a real nude range always include several browns. For fashion lines, brown is an autumn color, often in satin, velvet or lace, sold as chocolate, mocha or cocoa. Pantone chose a brown, Mocha Mousse, as its Color of the Year for 2025.
Dark brown lace can look almost black in dim light; the difference shows on the edges of motifs, where the brown warms up. Brown pairs with blush, cream, rose gold and burgundy.
The classifier reserves tan for the lighter, golden end. Brown is confused with burgundy in deep wine-browns, and with charcoal in photos with a cool color balance.