How to Wear a Burgundy Dress

Co-authored by Paul Julch, MA and Janice Tieperman

Last Updated: November 18, 2021 References

Whether you’re headed to happy hour or a formal party, your burgundy dress is up to the task. There’s no right or wrong way to wear this garment—with the right accessories, you can dress up or down for just about any occasion.

1

Pair your dress with gold or neutral-toned shoes.^{[1]
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Complement your dress with a subtle pair of shoes. Burgundy is a bold, dramatic color in its own right, so you don’t need to pick out any brightly-colored shoes to finish off your outfit. Instead, search through your closet for any neutral- or gold-toned wedges, sandals, or high heels. These are a great complement for your dress without being too over-the-top.
- For example, you can wear a pair of nude high heels with a long burgundy dress.
- Or, accent a short burgundy dress with a pair of black pumps.

2

Stick your essentials in a dark clutch.^{[2]
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Carry your things in a small, dark bag. Store your wallet, phone, and other items in a cute clutch so you don’t have to lug around a huge purse or handbag throughout the day. Black clutches are a great accent without taking too much away from the rest of your outfit.
- A warm brown leather or suede bag is a perfect complement for a burgundy dress.^{[3]
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  Paul Julch, MA
  Personal Wardrobe Stylist & Speaker
  Expert Interview. 16 November 2021.}

3

Wear gold jewelry.^{[4]
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Spruce up your outfit with a gold necklace, bracelet, or earrings set. Burgundy is a warmer color, so it looks really great with gold accessories.^{[5]
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Paul Julch, MA
Personal Wardrobe Stylist & Speaker
Expert Interview. 16 November 2021.} These don’t have to be super fancy—just look through your jewelry box for any gold accessories, like a thick bracelet, pair of dangling earrings, or choker necklace.
- For instance, a pair of dangling gold earrings can add a little elegance to your burgundy dress.
- A thick, gold bracelet contrasts nicely with your burgundy dress.

4

Choose burgundy accessories for a monochromatic look.^{[6]
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Match your dress and accessories if you're worried about mixing colors. Look through your closet for any shoes, gloves, or hats that match your burgundy dress. Slip into these burgundy shoes and accessories to create a striking, elegant look.
- For instance, you can wear a pair of burgundy pumps, along with a burgundy hat.
- If it’s cold outside, slip on some burgundy gloves to match with your dress.

5

Add a blazer for contrast.^{[7]
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Split your outfit in half with a shorter jacket or blazer. Look through your wardrobe for any short, waist-length jackets that accent your dress well. Layer your jacket over your dress before you go out, so you can stay warm and stylish.
- For example, you can slip on a neutral-toned blazer over a long, burgundy dress.
- Small accessories work great with this type of outfit, like a patterned handbag or sleek watch.
- For a more casual look, you can pick out a bomber jacket instead of a blazer.

6

Pick out some sneakers to keep it casual.^{[8]
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Dress down your outfit with a fun pair of sneaks. You don’t have to wear your burgundy dress for parties or other formal events. Instead, slip into your go-to pair of sneakers before heading out the door.
- Sneakers are the perfect choice for a T-shirt dress!
- White sneakers add some really nice contrast to your burgundy dress.

7

Dress up in neutral-toned boots.^{[9]
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Complement a shorter dress with show-stopping shoes. Rifle through your closet and look for a pair of neutral-toned boots. Knee-high boots look great with above-the-knee dresses.
- For example, a pair of knee-high, black boots would work well with a short burgundy dress.
- Short, neutral-toned ankle boots are also a great option.^{[10]
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Slip on a slim belt.^{[11]
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Add an extra dimension to your outfit with a thin belt. Look through your wardrobe for any neutral-toned belt that would match well with your dress, like black or brown. Wear the belt around your waist, just above your hips—this adds some nice division to your outfit and creates a really sleek look.
- For instance, you can wear a black belt with a short burgundy dress, along with a pair of nude heels.

9

Choose a neutral-toned scarf.^{[12]
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Bundle up or dress up with a tasteful scarf. Neutral-toned scarves go well with burgundy and are a great way to dress your outfit up or down, depending on the occasion. If it’s a bit chilly outside, grab a long, knitted scarf so you can stay warm. If you’re looking to accessorize, pick out a thin, decorative scarf instead.
- For instance, you can bundle up with a white or cream-colored winter scarf on a cold day.
- You can also switch things up by picking out a burgundy-colored scarf—this creates a fun, monochromatic look.

Expert Q&A

Question

Is burgundy an autumn color?

Paul Julch, MA
Personal Wardrobe Stylist & Speaker
Paul Julch is a Personal Wardrobe Stylist, Speaker, and the founder of Urbanite | Suburbanite, a wardrobe styling business in the San Francisco Bay Area. With over 25 years in the fashion industry, Paul works with clients to make getting dressed easier, less time consuming, and more enjoyable. Paul has years of experience in retail visual merchandising - styling windows, displays, and floor sets for Banana Republic, Gap, and Express. He also has experience styling fashion photo shoots and corporate videos. Paul holds a BS Degree in Management from State University of New York at Binghamton, an MA in Clinical Psychology from Long Island University. He also studied Interior Design at the University of California, Berkeley.

Paul Julch, MA

Personal Wardrobe Stylist & Speaker

Expert Answer

Definitely! Burgundy is a great neutral tone for both the autumn and winter seasons.
Question

What color jewelry goes best with burgundy?

Paul Julch, MA
Personal Wardrobe Stylist & Speaker
Paul Julch is a Personal Wardrobe Stylist, Speaker, and the founder of Urbanite | Suburbanite, a wardrobe styling business in the San Francisco Bay Area. With over 25 years in the fashion industry, Paul works with clients to make getting dressed easier, less time consuming, and more enjoyable. Paul has years of experience in retail visual merchandising - styling windows, displays, and floor sets for Banana Republic, Gap, and Express. He also has experience styling fashion photo shoots and corporate videos. Paul holds a BS Degree in Management from State University of New York at Binghamton, an MA in Clinical Psychology from Long Island University. He also studied Interior Design at the University of California, Berkeley.

Paul Julch, MA

Personal Wardrobe Stylist & Speaker

Expert Answer

Gold and silver both work well! Gold is an especially nice choice since burgundy is a warmer color.