If you pair a black sweater with a dark espresso-brown scarf, the colors are so similar that it can seem like you mistakenly mismatched pieces. To make your brown and black outfit look planned, go for high contrast between the colors. Instead of a deep brown, opt for warmer or lighter shades. Pair a black sweater dress with cognac leather boots and a matching belt, or loop a black scarf over a medium brown V-neck sweater to make the difference in colors obvious.

Wearing just one item in your accent shade -- think a black shirt dress, handbag and belt with brown heels -- can come across as a fashion blunder. However, if you add other brown accessories to your outfit, the look has a deliberate, stylish feel. Wear a black turtleneck and skinny jeans with knee high brown boots and a matching belt, or pair a caramel shift dress with a black cardigan and black pumps for a chic, elegant look.

If you’re still a little nervous about wearing black and brown together, find two-tone accessories that feature both colors to tie your ensemble together. Wear a black sheath dress with a brown leather jacket and black and brown tortoiseshell pumps for a look that feels stylishly coordinated. You can also don a brown suit with black knee-high boots and a black and brown animal-print scarf so your outfit feels unified. Make your light brown wrap dress and black pumps look like they belong together by adding a statement necklace that features a combo of black and brown beads.

Take the heat off the black and brown elements in your outfit by working other colors into your look. Choosing a patterned item that features black, brown and other shades is the easiest and most seamless way to go. For example, pair a black, brown and purple floral-print blouse with black trousers and heels and top with a brown leather jacket for a balanced look. Or, add a black, brown, white and turquoise geometric-pattern scarf to a black shift dress and brown cardigan to create a cohesive ensemble.