Black and Burgundy Outfits: The Colour Pairing for Autumn
Black and burgundy is the richest colour pairing of the colder months. Here is how to wear it, from a single accent to a full deep red outfit.
A burgundy outfit looks its best when the deep red is anchored by black: the black sharpens the burgundy, and the burgundy warms the black. Start with one burgundy piece, such as a knit, a skirt or a bag, against an otherwise black outfit, then build up as you grow confident. Choose fabrics with depth, like velvet, wool, satin and lace, and the pairing will look rich all autumn and winter.
Why black and burgundy work so well
Burgundy takes its name from the red wine of the French region, and it shares that wine's character: deep, warm and slightly brown or purple depending on the light. Next to black, it reads as a colour in its own right instead of a brighter red, which is why the pairing feels grown-up rather than loud.
Fashion returns to this family of shades often. Pantone chose Marsala, a red-brown named after the fortified Sicilian wine, as its colour of the year for 2015, as Design Week reported. More recently, Sabato De Sarno built his first Gucci collection around Rosso Ancora, which W Magazine describes as a rich oxblood linked to the red lift at London's Savoy hotel, where Guccio Gucci once worked as a porter.
London has its own history with these colours. The V&A notes that Biba's customers in the 1970s loved Barbara Hulanicki's muted palette of chocolate browns, rich plums and deep blues, proof that deep, dusky shades have long suited romantic dressing.
How to wear a black and burgundy outfit
Start with one piece
The easiest black and burgundy outfit is mostly black with one burgundy element. Good starting points:
- A burgundy knit with black trousers or a black skirt.
- A burgundy bag or shoes with an all-black outfit.
- A burgundy lip with a black dress.
- A burgundy scarf or tie with a black coat.
Split the outfit
For more colour, divide the outfit in two: a burgundy top with a black skirt, or a black top with burgundy trousers. Keep the shoes and bag black to tie the look together.
Go head to toe
A full deep red outfit, such as a burgundy suit or a matching knit set, looks confident and very chic. Use black for the shoes, bag and coat so the colour has a frame.
The best fabrics for burgundy
Burgundy looks different in every fabric, so the material changes the mood.
- Velvet: the most luxurious way to wear the colour, especially for evening.
- Satin: gives burgundy a wine-like sheen. Lovely for skirts and slip dresses.
- Wool and cashmere: soft and warm, ideal for knits and coats.
- Lace: a burgundy lace top or lining under black lace adds romance and depth.
- Leather: a burgundy leather skirt or bag is polished and modern.
Mixing textures, such as a matte black knit with a burgundy satin skirt, adds depth in the same way it does for an all-black look. Our guide to how to wear all black explains this principle in more detail.
What colours go with burgundy?
Black is the most dramatic partner, but burgundy plays well with several others.
- Ivory and cream: soft and elegant, especially in a knit or blouse.
- Camel and tan: warm and classic, ideal for a coat over a burgundy outfit.
- Grey: cool and understated, for a quieter office look.
- Navy: a rich, slightly unexpected pairing.
- Forest green: festive and very autumnal.
- Blush pink: romantic and modern in small doses.
- Gold: in jewellery, buttons and hardware, it makes burgundy glow.
Avoid bright red next to burgundy, which tends to make both look muddy, and be careful with orange.
Burgundy outfit ideas for day and evening
For the office: black wide-leg trousers, a burgundy fine-knit jumper and black loafers. Add a gold watch or small hoops.
For the weekend: black jeans, a chunky burgundy cardigan and black boots. A black and burgundy plaid scarf ties it together.
With tartan and plaid: a plaid skirt in black and deep red is one of the easiest ways to wear the colour. Our guide to plaid skirt outfits covers styling from the office to evening.
For dinner: a burgundy satin midi skirt with a fine black knit and pointed heels.
For evening: a black lace dress with a burgundy velvet coat, or a burgundy gown with black accessories. A dark red lip finishes the look.
For a wedding: a burgundy dress with black shoes and bag is a strong alternative to all-black for winter celebrations.
For a full season of evening pieces in this palette, see our guide to autumn winter evening wardrobe essentials.
Make-up and accessories
Burgundy suits most skin tones, and you can echo it in your make-up for a polished finish: a wine-coloured lip, a berry blush or a burgundy nail. If your outfit already has plenty of colour, keep the face neutral.
For accessories, gold looks warmer and more romantic, silver more modern. Black leather or suede shoes and bags are the safest choice; patent or velvet adds a touch of evening.
The palette of the first Notte & Noir collection is mostly black, with ivory and one deep red, so pieces like the Knit & Lace Set and the Plaid Midi Skirt are designed to pair in exactly this way. Browse the first collection, and join the list to hear when it launches.
