How to Wear Burgundy Pants

Co-authored by Rachel Michael

Last Updated: December 13, 2021 References

Burgundy bottoms have been fashionable for a while, but the color is quickly becoming a new neutral. Burgundy jeans, chinos, and corduroys can be worn with a wide range of other pieces and different colors. Neutrals really make the rich color stand out, while shades of blue or hints of other warm colors can take your look in different directions. Just try to avoid shades of red, orange, and green, which may be a little jarring with your burgundy bottoms.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Selecting a Style

1
Choose chinos to give your outfit a touch of easy sophistication. For men, burgundy chinos can be the perfect choice for a semi-casual office environment or an evening out. Tuck in your shirt and add a belt to polish off your look, or keep things more laid-back by cuffing the trousers at the ankle.^{[1]
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- To make a bolder statement, choose burgundy trousers in an eye-catching pattern like plaid or pinstripe.
2
Wear colored denim jeans to add some color to a casual outfit. Men and women can use a pair of burgundy skinny or straight-leg jeans as an alternative to dark-wash denim. Try dressing up your colored jeans with a more formal top and accessories, or keep things casual with a simple T-shirt or cozy knit layers.^{[2]
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- For a boho vibe, try high-waisted bell-bottoms in a faded shade of burgundy.
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3
Opt for corduroys for an extra level of coziness. Not only will cords keep you warm, but they will look great in a rich shade of burgundy. For a rugged look, opt for relaxed fit cords that can be worn with boots and a chunky sweater. For a sophisticated take, choose a fitted pair of corduroy trousers that can be styled with a crisp button-down.
- As a more glamorous alternative to corduroy, consider velvet trousers or leggings.^{[3]
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4
Choose a shade and intensity that works with your wardrobe. Burgundy bottoms come in a range of saturation levels. Look for something brighter in a saturated cranberry hue if you want to make a style statement, or keep it subdued with a washed-out maroon if you have a more laid-back style sense. Similarly, if your current wardrobe skews really warm and earthy, consider trousers in a warmer redcurrant color. If you’re into cooler hues, opt for a plummy Bordeaux shade.^{[4]
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- Purple shades of burgundy can be especially nice for the cooler winter months and holiday season, while warmer cinnamon maroon hues are great for autumn.

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Picking Coordinating Colors

1
Stick with a neutral color palette so that the burgundy really pops. If you’re not sure where to start with your burgundy bottoms, experiment with different neutral shades. Try on different tops in shades of black, brown, white or cream, navy, gray, and beige. Anchor your outfit with 1 dark neutral and 1 light neutral, rather than blending similar values together, for a more sophisticated look.^{[5]
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- For instance, you could pair black and white, navy and light gray, or brown and cream with your burgundy bottoms.
- Feel free to explore subtle patterns within this realm, too.
- Everything from a cuddly oatmeal sweater to a crisp white dress shirt can look effortlessly cool with burgundy bottoms.
2
Style your outfit with shades of blue for a crisp, cool palette. Play around with light, medium, or dark blue tops at similar levels of saturation to your trousers. Pair your chinos with a chambray button-down, top your cords off with a navy sweater, or toss a baby-blue blouse on over your skinnies.^{[6]
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- A faded gray-blue top would look great with faded burgundy bottoms, but it might look drab over a saturated pair of pants.
3
Incorporate mustard, brown, or blush pink to warm up your look. Burgundy is an earth tone, so mix it with other earthy colors. Stick to soft, rich shades like mustard yellow, olive, burnt sienna, camel, coral, and blush pink that are very different from the deep burgundy bottoms.^{[7]
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Expert Source

Rachel Michael
Personal Stylist
Expert Interview. 30 November 2021.}^{[8]
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- Try styling lighter burgundy trousers with a top in a deep plum or eggplant shade.
- For a more subtle take, choose a neutral top that features hints of these colors in its pattern or print.
- If you’d like to try a tone-on-tone look, opt for various lighter and darker hues. Pair pieces that are close to the same level of warmth rather than mixing a warm burgundy with a cool burgundy.
4
Liven up an earthy color palette with animal print. For women especially, a splash of animal print can be a great way to add some personality to an otherwise minimalist ensemble. To work animal print into your outfit, cinch your trousers with a slender belt, grab a clutch bag, or slip into some patterned loafers. If you really want to make an entrance, top off your outfit with a fabulously fluffy animal-print coat.^{[9]
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- Stick to just 1 animal-print accessory to keep your look crisp.
- Alternatively, you can incorporate basic prints like plaid, polka-dot, and stripes into your look to add some interest to a neutral color palette.
5
Avoid mixing burgundy with green, purple, red, or orange. When paired with most colors, burgundy pants can function as a neutral in your wardrobe. However, you should use caution when dressing in warm shades like red, orange, and purple. Since these are pretty close to burgundy, they might clash. Additionally, be careful when mixing burgundy and green as it may look like a jarring combination.
- Warmer shades of burgundy won’t work too well with green unless you’re going for a red-and-green holiday scheme.
- If your trousers are a cooler hue that’s closer to plum, you can wear them with olive and khaki.

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Styling the Pants with Tops

1
Keep things casual with a white or black T-shirt. Try a plain white tee or a solid black T-shirt for the most layering possibilities. Or, inject some personality into your look with a graphic tee featuring your favorite band or a quirky phrase. Select a classic crewneck tee in a heavier fabric if you want to tuck it in, or choose a soft, slub V-neck for a more laid-back look.^{[10]
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- If the weather is cool, you could go with a fitted black turtleneck. Try snakeskin shoes to add a pattern to your outfit.^{[11]
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  Rachel Michael
  Personal Stylist
  Expert Interview. 30 November 2021.}
- A white graphic T-shirt can look cool with burgundy pants, as well.^{[12]
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  Rachel Michael
  Personal Stylist
  Expert Interview. 30 November 2021.}
- Layer your plain tee under a cardigan, sweater, denim jacket, leather jacket, blazer, or overcoat.
2
Stick with a crisp button-down or blouse for an office-ready look. Men can easily dress up a pair of burgundy chinos or cords with a tucked-in button-down. For women, try a drapey blouse over burgundy skinny jeans. Choose white or light shades like chambray blue. To add some pattern, opt for a plaid button-down or a blouse with a small pattern repeat.^{[13]
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- If you wear a patterned top, keep it in a limited color palette.
3
Layer your look with a cropped denim or leather jacket.^{[14]
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Jordan Stolch
Image Consultant & Style Advisor
Expert Interview. 25 September 2020.} For a more casual effect, pair your burgundy pants with a denim jacket or vest. Or adopt an edgier look with a black leather motorcycle jacket. Wear either of these pieces over a white T-shirt to keep it classic. If you’re mixing up your look with other warm or cool hues, use the blue denim or black leather to tone down these shades.^{[15]
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- For added warmth, opt for a brown leather or tan suede jacket.^{[16]
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4
Sport a black or navy blazer to sharpen up your look.^{[17]
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Jordan Stolch
Image Consultant & Style Advisor
Expert Interview. 25 September 2020.} Whether you’re wearing your burgundy trousers to work or to a nice restaurant, top them off with a sleek blazer to add an extra dash of class to your outfit. Keep the rest of your outfit classic with a button-down and dress shoes, or try a high-low look with a casual graphic tee and stylish sneakers or heels.^{[18]
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- For a really cozy, autumnal outfit, try a tweed blazer in shades of brown and tan. Pick one that has suede elbow patches to complete the look.
5
Try a burgundy 2-piece suit to brighten up a classic silhouette. Once you pick out your suit, get it tailored so that it fits perfectly. Style it with a crisp white shirt and black dress shoes to keep it classic. For women, a floaty white or cream blouse can beautifully soften up a sharp burgundy pantsuit. If you want your look to be less formal, try a light blue Oxford shirt with a navy tie and brown or oxblood shoes.^{[19]
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- While this probably won’t be suitable for a very traditional workplace, it can be a really snazzy way to dress for a creative environment or a special occasion, like a wedding. Groomsmen look especially dashing in head-to-toe burgundy!

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Adding Accessories

1
Choose gold jewelry to play up the warmth of your burgundy pants.^{[20]
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Jordan Stolch
Image Consultant & Style Advisor
Expert Interview. 25 September 2020.} Slip on a stack of modern gold bracelets or a statement watch. Layer a few delicate chains or pendants around your neck to draw the eye upward, or glam up your look with dangly statement earrings in a gold finish.^{[21]
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- Whether you’re styling your burgundy bottoms with warm colors, cool hues, or neutrals, gold will add an extra level of warmth and richness to your ensemble.
2
Slip into black shoes if you’re wearing cool or neutral colors. A classic black shoe can complete your outfit, no matter what type of burgundy pants you’re wearing. For men, choose polished dress shoes with a sharp suit or chinos or loafers for a more easygoing approach. For women, ground your look with a black Chelsea boot or block-heeled ankle booties, or dress it up with strappy black heels.^{[22]
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- You can wear black shoes with almost any color combination. However, if you’re wearing brown or navy blue, switch to brown shoes.
3
Opt for brown shoes if you’re wearing warm colors, brown, or navy. If you’ve chosen to wear rich, warm hues with your burgundy bottoms, play up the autumnal warmth with a pair of brown shoes. Navy can also be worn with brown shoes rather than black ones. Try brown wingtips with punched detailing to add some traditional flair, or opt for a sleek pair in a chocolate shade for a more modern approach.^{[23]
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- Try leather loafers with the cuffs turned up for laid-back effect.
4
Kick back in light-colored sneakers with burgundy denim. To dress down a burgundy denim look, stick with white or gray lace-up sneakers. Try a pair of Keds or Converse for a youthful vibe, or stick with chunky sneakers for an athleisure approach. Roll up the hems of your jeans to complete the look.
- Alternatively, wear beige boat shoes to give burgundy denim or chinos a breezy summer feel.