Undoubtedly, unquestionably, unarguably, unequivocally – the greatest footwear colourway ever created is Beef & Broccoli. Green and brown simply belong together. We can’t tell you the scientific explanation for why this pairing makes almost every shoe look infinitely better, but after decades of evidence, we’re not sure one is even necessary. It just works.
Maybe it’s because we’re innately programmed to appreciate the colours of nature, or maybe it’s because the richness of brown perfectly balances the vibrancy of green. Whatever the reason, green and brown fire our synapses in a way few other colour pairings can.
The beauty of beef & broccoli is that it doesn’t always need both ingredients, either. A chocolate brown suede Wallabee has timeless appeal, while a deep forest pair of New Balance is always going to look good. Together they’re unbeatable; apart they’re still among the strongest colours you can lace up.
So, in this edition of Six of the Best, we’re celebrating footwear dressed in green and brown, as well as the standout pairs that prove either colour can hold its own.
There’s only one combo better than beef & broccoli – a pair of Timberlands in beef & broccoli. These Field Boots are absolutely sublime – the perfect marriage of Timberland’s outdoor heritage and the greatest footwear colourway ever conceived.
While they might not quite be beef & broccoli (perhaps more beige & broccoli?), these New Balance 2010s are further proof that New Balance are the undisputed kings of colourways. The combination of earthy tones is effortlessly wearable, making these a pair you’ll have glued to your feet for the remainder of summer.
Coming in a colourway even mossier than the side of your grandparents’ house, these Vans Premium Authentics are the kind of footwear that everyone needs in their rotation. Lightweight, dependable, and versatile – long live the Authentic!
Every footwear brand worth its leather has had a go at the iconic German Army Trainer, and there are plenty of arguments over who has done it best. And throwing our hat into the ring, we’d say these chocolate brown Novesta iterations are right up there.
Easily the best pub-appropriate trainer released in the last decade, the New Balance Allerdale has already cemented itself as a modern classic despite only being a few years old. This rich brown colourway only adds to its appeal – and has the added bonus of looking more or less the same after you dowse them in Guinness one evening down the boozer.
We’ve always had a soft spot for Mizuno’s Wave Prophecy silhouette, and this rich brown colourway only strengthens our feelings. The only way it could look even better? Throw a bit of green into the mix.
