November is brown

Recommendations from my human brain to your inbox

Oct 31, 2025

Actually Good Things is a weekly newsletter with product recs and commentary from a real-life commerce editor.

This week, while eating soups and watching Scream(s), I’m celebrating the OG of earth tones: brown.

Today is Halloween, but tomorrow is November. When I think about the color of November (as one does), I think of brown—warm, bronzy, golden hues, cool matte tones, taupe, chocolate, tawny, Pantone’s 2025 Color of the Year mocha mousse, roasted turkey, dead leaves, you name it.

These are actually good things (brown things) I really like right now.*

Budget-friendly barrel pants

Barrel pants might seem goofy at first, but the baggy-adjacent silhouette is nice for those who don’t wanna go full Big Pants. Uniqlo has these brown barrel sweats, and I’m here for it. (I recommend sizing down.)

The perfect weekend or WFH sweater

I got this waffle-knit sweater in two colors. The oversized fit isn’t messing around, so order your normal size, even if you like it on the baggier side.

A Chelsea boot that checks all the boxes

Thursday makes sexually attractive leather boots that are not only insanely comfortable (arch support, hi) but also weatherproof. I love this handsome-as-hell pair in the chocolate hue. The men’s collection is good too.

Leopard jeans for the queens

Sorry, but I have another barrel-pant recommendation. These jeans from Madewell are my favorite pair I currently own. It’s cool that leopard is in right now because it means more items are available in the neutral print—yes, I said neutral—though I’m an always-and-forever leopard wearer.

Go-with-everything galoshes

Please pardon me, but while we’re on the topic of leopard, I have to drop these rain boots. The brown-and-black colorway goes with literally any fall outfit, and my arches appreciate the supportive footbeds. (I usually wear a 7.5 and sized down to a 38, which is a U.S. size 7.)

Sleek, slip-resistant shades

SOJOS Retro Small Round Sunglasses for Men Women Trendy Circle Style UV400 Lenses Unisex Sun Glasses SJ2251

These cheap Amazon sunglasses don’t slide down my face. I have a few pairs of them and am currently digging the golden-brown hue.

Brown mascara (IYKYK)

At this point, my mascara’s gotta be a tubing formula. For a softer look, go brown. This one from Tarte is a current fave.

Coffee-colored lips

MAKE UP FOR EVER - Artist Color Pencil Long-Lasting Lip Liner 600 Anywhere Caffeine 0.04 oz / 1.41 g MAKE UP FOR EVER Artist Color Pencil Long-Lasting Lip Liner

This neutral lip liner is a great base under a lip oil or tinted balm. Or wear it on its own for a natural-looking matte finish.

Teddy-bear brown eyeshadow

Kevyn Aucoin The Individual Eyeshadow - Cacao Image 1

Looking for a single eyeshadow to get you through the fall season that takes up negligible makeup bag space? Kevyn Aucoin is your guy. (May he rest in peace.)

Chocolate-brown chocolate

I’m bonkers about Tony’s chocolate—specifically the one with the orange wrapper. I like to enjoy it horizontally while watching TikTok after my kids go to bed. It’s expensive. Did you hear? Chocolate is expensive now and will likely stay that way.