Burgundy has a way of making a fall outfit look more expensive without trying too hard. It's deep enough to feel seasonal, but not as predictable as black or brown. And because it sits somewhere between red and brown, it works with many of the colours already in your autumn wardrobe.
You can wear it casually with denim, bring it into the office with tailoring, or dress it up with satin and gold jewellery. The trick is not to pile on too many competing colours. Give burgundy room to stand out, then use softer neutrals, darker shades or interesting textures around it.
Here are 10 burgundy outfit ideas for women to try this fall, from easy everyday combinations to festive looks.
Finding Your Shade of Burgundy
Burgundy comes in more versions than you might expect. Some shades have a noticeable brown or oxblood undertone, while others are closer to a deep wine or purple-red.
If you're shopping for a burgundy piece, think about the rest of your wardrobe. Brown-leaning burgundy looks particularly natural with camel, olive and chocolate. A cooler wine shade can work beautifully with charcoal, navy and black.
The fabric matters, too. A chunky wool sweater gives the colour a relaxed autumn feel, while satin or faux leather makes it look dressier. The shade might be the same, but the finished outfit can feel completely different.
Everyday Burgundy Outfits for Fall
1. Burgundy Turtleneck With Oatmeal Wide-Leg Trousers
Pin itA chunky burgundy turtleneck and oatmeal wide-leg trousers are an easy pairing for a cool fall day. Add black lug-sole loafers and a couple of simple gold hoops.
The oatmeal colour keeps the sweater from looking too dark, while the chunky loafers give the wide trousers enough weight at the bottom. It's comfortable enough for a day of errands but still looks like you put some thought into what you were wearing.
2. Burgundy Faux-Leather Jacket With Black and Denim
Pin itIf you prefer a slightly edgier look, try a burgundy faux-leather jacket over a fitted black ribbed tee. Add light-wash straight-leg jeans and white sneakers, then finish with a few silver rings.
The light denim is important here. It breaks up all the darker pieces and makes the jacket feel less heavy. This would work well for a casual lunch, coffee date or weekend spent walking around town.
3. Burgundy Corduroy Pinafore With a White Shirt
Pin itA burgundy corduroy pinafore dress looks great over a crisp white poplin shirt. For the finishing touches, try black patent Mary Janes, white socks and a tortoiseshell headband.
There's a slight vintage feel to the combination, but it doesn't have to look like a costume. The clean white shirt keeps it fresh, while the corduroy gives the burgundy enough texture to feel right for fall.
Burgundy Outfit Ideas for Women at Work
Burgundy is an easy way to bring colour into a work wardrobe without reaching for anything too bright. If you're looking for more office inspiration this season, take a look at our autumn work outfits for women.
4. Burgundy Blazer With a Striped Shirt
Pin itTry a burgundy blazer over a blue-and-white striped shirt with navy tailored trousers. Black patent ballet flats and a slim belt finish the outfit.
The stripe gives the blazer something to work against, so the look doesn't feel like a block of solid colour. Navy also feels a little softer with burgundy than black does, which makes this combination particularly nice for the office.
5. Burgundy Trousers With a Chocolate Suede Jacket
Pin itFor a richer autumn combination, pair wide-leg burgundy trousers with a chocolate-brown suede jacket and an ecru ribbed tee. Tan cowboy boots and a wide leather belt add a little western influence.
There's nothing especially bright about this palette, but that's exactly why it works. Burgundy and chocolate have similar warmth, while the suede makes the outfit feel softer and more relaxed. If you like this colour combination, our chocolate brown outfit ideas have more ideas.
6. Burgundy Accessories With Dark Denim
Pin itNot ready to commit to a burgundy jacket, sweater or trousers? Start with the accessories.
Wear dark straight-leg jeans with a charcoal fine-knit crewneck, then add burgundy leather mules and a matching tote. A chunky silver bracelet is enough jewellery to finish the outfit.
This is one of the easiest ways to try the colour because the main pieces stay completely neutral. The burgundy shoes and bag add just enough colour without changing the whole character of the outfit.
For more ideas, see our guide to what to wear with dark jeans.
Evening and Festive Burgundy Outfits
Burgundy has a natural advantage when you're dressing for the evening. Its depth works well with shiny fabrics, metallic jewellery and darker accessories, so you don't have to add much to make an outfit feel special.
7. Burgundy Satin Skirt With a Grey Cable-Knit Sweater
Pin itPair a burgundy satin midi skirt with a chunky grey cable-knit sweater. Add silver kitten heels and pearl drop earrings.
This outfit works because the two main pieces feel completely different. The skirt is fluid and glossy, while the sweater is thick and textured. Try tucking just the front of the sweater into the waistband so you can still see where the waist sits.
It's a good option for a fall dinner when you want to look dressed up but don't want to wear a traditional dress.
8. Burgundy Slip Dress With an Ivory Cardigan
Pin itFor something softer, wear a burgundy slip dress with a cropped ivory cardigan buttoned halfway. Add sheer black tights, dark-brown suede knee-high boots and a delicate gold chain.
The ivory cardigan takes some of the formality out of the slip dress, while the boots make the whole outfit feel more autumnal. Keeping the cardigan cropped also stops it from hiding the shape of the dress.
If you're a fan of layering dresses with knitwear, you'll find more ideas in our cardigan outfit ideas.
9. Burgundy Silk Kurta With Gold Zari
Pin itFor a festive look, try a burgundy silk kurta with a gold zari border and straight bottle-green trousers. Tan kolhapuri chappals and antique-gold jhumkas complete the outfit.
Burgundy and deep green are a classic combination for festive dressing, and the zari gives you enough detail without needing layers of jewellery. It's an elegant choice for Diwali, family celebrations or a daytime wedding event.
If you're planning your festive wardrobe, our Diwali outfit ideas for women have more inspiration.
Layering Burgundy Under a Coat
10. Burgundy Knit Co-Ord With a Stone Trench
Pin itA burgundy knit top and matching midi skirt make a simple base for a stone-coloured trench coat. Add tan block-heel ankle boots and oversized tinted sunglasses.
Wearing the same colour on top and bottom gives the outfit a long, uninterrupted line. The lighter trench breaks it up without hiding the burgundy completely, especially if you leave the coat open.
It's a good example of how a strong colour can actually make layering easier. You don't need several different shades underneath the coat because the burgundy set has already done the work.
For more ways to style this wardrobe staple, see our trench coat outfits for fall.
Small Details That Keep Burgundy Looking Rich
Pin itCheck the colour in daylight. Burgundy can look surprisingly brown or almost black under warm indoor lighting. If you're shopping in person, take the piece near a window before deciding.
Don't feel obligated to match your makeup. A berry lip can look beautiful with burgundy, but a neutral lip creates more separation between your face and the outfit.
Pay attention to fabric. Wool, corduroy and suede make burgundy feel relaxed and cosy, while satin, patent finishes and faux leather give it a sharper evening feel.
Wash new pieces carefully. Deep burgundy dyes can bleed, particularly during the first few washes. Check the care label and wash new pieces separately when necessary.
The Takeaway
You don't need a wardrobe full of burgundy to make the colour work for fall. One good piece is enough.
Start with something you'll actually wear—a chunky sweater, tailored blazer, pair of trousers, satin skirt or even a handbag. Then keep the rest of the outfit fairly simple and let the colour do what it does best.
Burgundy looks especially good when it has a little contrast around it, whether that's cream against a deep knit, satin next to chunky wool, or gold details against silk. Once you find the version of burgundy that suits your wardrobe, it becomes surprisingly easy to wear.
