Tan is often considered a vague color that falls somewhere between brown and beige. While there is overlap between these colors, tan does have distinct qualities that set it apart from typical brown and beige shades. In this article, we’ll take a deeper look at the characteristics of tan and how it compares to brown and beige. Understanding the nuances between these similar neutrals can be helpful when trying to choose the right paint color for your walls or finding a tan clothing item that suits your style.
The Color Tan
Tan is generally thought of as a light to medium neutral brownish tone. It’s often associated with natural materials like wood, leather, sand, and light-skinned people’s complexions. The name “tan” comes from the tanning or dying of hides and skins which produces brownish shades.
The exact hue of tan can vary quite a bit from more golden-brown tans to grayish or pinkish undertones. But in general, tan sits in the middle of the color spectrum between brown and beige. It’s not as dark as typical medium or dark browns but also not as pale as light beiges.
Here are some key characteristics of tan color:
- Light to medium neutral tone
- Falls between brown and beige
- Has brownish or yellowish undertones
- Similar to the skin tone of light or moderately tanned people
- Associated with natural materials like wood, sand, and leather
How Tan Compares to Brown
Brown is a darker, deeper neutral tone while tan is lighter. There are some tan shades that border on being brown, but in general, browns have more pigment and less lightness than tans.
Here’s an overview of how tan and brown differ:
| Tan | Brown |
|---|---|
| Light to medium tone | Medium to dark tone |
| Has yellowish, golden undertones | Usually has warmer red or orange undertones |
| Similar to pale skin that’s lightly tanned | Closer to dark or black skin tones and brown hair |
| Associated with sand, wood, and leather | Associated with soil, tree bark, and dark wood |
| Goes well with pastels and other light colors | Goes well with bold, saturated colors |
So in summary, tan is a lighter, more muted, yellowish-brown while standard browns are deeper, richer, and warmer in tone. Very dark shades of tan that border on brown are sometimes called “coffee” or “cocoa”. But pure brown has more pigment than any tan.
How Tan Compares to Beige
Beige is an extremely light brown that is even lighter than tan. It’s often considered one of the palest neutral tones.
Here’s an overview of how tan and beige differ:
| Tan | Beige |
|---|---|
| Light to medium tone | Extremely light tone |
| Has brownish or golden undertones | Often has yellow, pink, or gray undertones |
| Similar to light to moderately tanned skin | Similar to pale caucasian skin tones |
| Associated with wood, sand, leather | Associated with parchment, cream, linen, and eggshells |
| Goes well with most colors | Goes well with bold, jewel tones |
So in summary, tan has more color intensity and saturation than beige. Beige is extremely pale, often bordering on off-white or light gray. It has less brown pigment than tan.
Unique Qualities of Tan
Now that we’ve compared it to brown and beige, let’s look at some of the unique qualities of tan color:
- Variety of undertones – Tan can take on warm golden yellow, pinkish, greenish, or even grayish undertones depending on the specific shade.
- Range of values – Tan can be formulated as a pale, light, medium or even dark tone depending on how much brown pigment is added.
- Natural look – Tan has an inherent earthy, organic quality unlike the coolness of gray or brightness of beige.
- Versatile – Tan works in both warm and cool color schemes and pairs well with other neutrals.
- Skin-tone flattering – Tan flatters those with light to olive complexions without being too matchy.
- Gender neutral – Tan is just as popular with men as women since it’s understated yet rich.
These qualities make tan a versatile, attractive, and widely-used color for everything from fashion and furniture to website design.
Shades of Tan Color
There are countless shades of tan ranging from very light to very dark. Here are some of the most popular varieties:
- Camel – Medium golden-brown tan
- Khaki – Greenish-yellow tan
- Sand – Pale, muted yellowish tan
- Beaver – Grayish-brown tan
- Buff – Pinkish-yellow tan
- Fawn – Very pale, soft brownish tan
- Bronze – Metallic, shimmery dark tan
Within each of these shades there is a huge amount of variation depending on how brown, gray, golden or pink the tan is formulated. This accounts for the incredible range and versatility of tan color.
Tans in Fashion and Decor
Tan has become a popular neutral in both fashion and interior decor because it offers a laidback, earthy feel. Here are some of the ways tan color is used in design:
- Tan and khaki pants or shorts
- Suede tans shoes and belts
- Tan leather handbags and wallets
- Shabby chic tan linen sofas and armchairs
- Rich tan wood tables, cabinets and flooring
- Warm tan painted walls or wallpaper
- Neutral tan carpeting and rugs
Tans provide an easygoing, casual look in fashion. In home decor, they create a relaxing, welcoming backdrop. Combining different shades of tan can result in a sophisticated, layered look.
Is Tan Officially Brown or Beige?
After looking at its various qualities and uses, would tan be considered more of an official brown or beige?
The truth is that tan straddles the line between brown and beige but doesn’t fully embody either. It falls nicely in between the two as a bridge color.
Tan has more color intensity and saturation than any beige. But it also has more subtlety and lightness than most browns. Its characteristic yellowish-brown appearance makes it sit equally between the two extremes.
So the most accurate way to classify tan is as its own distinct neutral category separate from beige and brown. It shares common traits with both but also has its own identity.
This middle ground is what makes tan such a versatile and useful color. It provides a welcomed middle option between very light beiges and deep, dramatic browns.
Conclusion
Tan is sometimes viewed as a bland, nondescript color but it actually has many complex qualities that give it a unique personality. Its myriad shades from golden camel to grayish buff make it adaptable to any design scheme.
Tan may straddle the line between brown and beige, but it firmly stands on its own as a soft, subtle, versatile neutral. So don’t underestimate the stylish possibilities of tan – it can be tailored to any look from casual everyday wear to luxurious formal decor. Tan truly is the best of both worlds between brown and beige.