Trying to coordinate brown pieces of clothing into an outfit is sometimes a daunting task. There are several factors the you need to consider being choosing other items of clothing. You need to look at the shade of brown for the jacket as well as the fabric. What you choose for a formal event will be different than what you would wear with the jacket for a casual occasion.

If your jacket is a light shade of brown, beige or tan, a cream or off-white will go well with it. If your jacket is a very dark shade of brown that is almost black, choose a black shirt to wear under it, or even a dark gray. Almost any color will go well with a dark brown jacket because it is so close to black. Choose the colors depending on what season it is. For example, wear a red shirt with your dark brown jacket to reflect the colors of the changing leaves and the general feel of the season. If you are attending a very formal occasion, wear a crisp white shirt. A medium brown jacket is a little harder to coordinate with. Wear a shirt under it that is either a different shade of brown, white or a neutral color.

For a formal event, wear a pair of pants or a skirt that is as close as possible to the color and shade of your brown jacket. If your jacket is very dark brown, try a pair of black pants, but make sure they are made of the same fabric so the outfit will have more harmony. Wear a pair of jeans in any shade of blue denim with your brown jacket for a casual look, or a pair of corduroy pants in an earth tone, but not gray or black. Casual fabrics for brown jackets are suede, denim, corduroy and leather. Don't wear the same shade of brown for your pants, or you will risk looking too formal.

The safest route to go with your shoes is to wear them in the same shade of brown as your jacket. Try a different shade of brown, but keep the materials the same or similar. Only wear black shoes if your jacket is such a dark brown that it is almost black, and try to match the material they are made out of. For example, wear black leather boots with a very dark brown leather jacket. If you are carrying a bag or a purse with you or wearing another accessory like a scarf, you will able to get away with a different color or material for your shoes if they match your accessories. For example, if you are carrying a black leather purse and your jacket is brown leather, you will be able to wear a pair of black boots in a different material, such as suede.