One piece, three outfits

How to style burgundy trousers: 3 outfits for office, weekend and evening

Burgundy trousers feel bold on the hanger and surprisingly easy once they are on. The colour behaves like a dark neutral, as long as you choose the right partners.

Burgundy sits close to brown and navy in depth, so it can stand in for them in most outfits. What it adds is warmth, and that is why it flatters so many people over 35: it brings some colour near the body without the glare of a bright red.

The cut decides the occasion. A pressed straight or wide leg in wool or crepe works for the office, cords or a softer cotton for weekends, and velvet or satin for evenings. The outfits below assume a straight or wide leg, the most versatile shape, and work for all three fabrics with small changes.

Three outfits, one burgundy trousers

01

Office

Burgundy and soft pink

  • Burgundy tailored trousers
  • Pale pink or ivory blouse
  • Camel or grey fine knit
  • Brown or burgundy loafers
  • Tan leather bag

Pale pink and burgundy are two depths of the same family, so the pairing looks considered without any effort. Tuck the blouse in and throw a camel knit over the shoulders or wear it on top. Keep the shoes brown or matching burgundy, which makes the leg look longer.

Tip: If pink is not you, an ivory blouse with a navy cardigan gives the same polish.

02

Weekend

Cords and cream knit

  • Burgundy corduroy trousers
  • Cream cable knit jumper
  • Denim or chore jacket
  • Brown suede ankle boots
  • Striped scarf

Cream is burgundy's best friend at the weekend: it softens the colour and keeps the outfit fresh. A chunky cream knit with burgundy cords is warm, easy and works on everyone. Add a denim jacket on milder days for a relaxed contrast.

Tip: Brown suede boots tie it together better than black, which can look heavy with burgundy in daylight.

03

Evening

Tonal burgundy

  • Burgundy velvet or satin trousers
  • Burgundy or plum fine knit
  • Black long line blazer
  • Black heeled boots or loafers
  • Gold jewellery

Wearing burgundy from top to toe looks rich and very deliberate, and it is easier than it sounds: the shades do not need to match exactly, they only need to be close. A slightly lighter or darker top adds depth. A black blazer on top keeps it sharp.

Tip: Mix textures: velvet with fine knit, or satin with wool, so the tonal look does not fall flat.

What colours go with burgundy trousers

The safest partners are cream, ivory, camel, grey, navy, black and denim. For something more interesting, try pale pink, mustard, forest green or a soft olive. Be careful with bright red and orange, which compete with burgundy, and with very cold pastels such as icy lilac, which can look sharp against its warmth.

Shoes

  • Brown, tan and burgundy shoes are the most flattering in daylight.
  • Black works best in the evening and with black on top.
  • Cream or white trainers suit weekend cords.
  • Patent burgundy loafers make the whole outfit look planned.

Layering for autumn and winter

Burgundy is at its best from October to March, and it handles layers well. Under a camel coat it looks classic, under a navy coat it looks smart, under a grey wool coat it looks modern. On cold days a roll neck in cream or camel keeps the outfit warm and light near the face.

Mistakes to avoid

  • Pairing burgundy trousers with a bright red top: the two reds fight.
  • Too many statement pieces at once. Let the trousers be the colour and keep the rest calm.
  • Cheap shiny fabric that shows every crease. Burgundy looks its best in a matt wool, cord or a heavy crepe.
  • Treating them as summer only or winter only. In summer they work with a white linen shirt and tan sandals.

Questions

What top goes with burgundy trousers?

Cream, ivory, pale pink, grey and navy tops are the easiest. A white shirt or a Breton stripe works at the weekend, a fine knit in a close shade for a tonal evening look.

What colour shoes go with burgundy trousers?

Brown, tan and burgundy are the most flattering. Black works for evenings and with darker tops. White or cream trainers suit casual outfits.

Are burgundy trousers formal enough for the office?

Yes, in a tailored cut and a matt fabric. Pair them with a plain blouse and a fine knit or blazer and they look as smart as navy.

Build these outfits from your own wardrobe

Photograph your burgundy trousers and the pieces you already own. Open it in OutfitMaker, tap Style this piece, and get office, weekend and evening outfits made only from your clothes, for the weather where you are.

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