Burgundy and black is the darkest, easiest color pairing of fall. These five outfits put burgundy cashmere, patent, crepe and suede with black satin, leather and wool. Keep the burgundy deep and let black take up most of the room.
Burgundy and Black Outfits to Try This Fall
Chanel's Vamp nail polish, first called Rouge Noir, debuted at the house's fall 1994 show in Paris that March. As Who What Wear tells it, two days before the show two people from Chanel's makeup studio mixed red and black pigments in the studio kitchen until they had it: a red so dark it reads as black from across a room.
That is more or less the whole idea of burgundy and black. Burgundy is a red that already has some black in it, so the two never clash. Black makes burgundy look richer, and burgundy keeps black from looking like a funeral (sorry, but sometimes it does).
A quick test: wear one burgundy thing with all black and check it in daylight. If the burgundy looks like wine rather than brown, you have the right shade.
Two Burgundy Treats, Two Black Basics
Dolce&Gabbana's Vittoria tote is burgundy suede with a top handle and a gold plaque, very 1990s Milan. Manolo Blahnik's Nadira pumps are burgundy satin with a crystal buckle, so they are the dressy option. On the black side, Acne Studios' Camero bag has zip pockets all over it, and Anderson's textured leather belt with a gold buckle goes with everything in this edit. One burgundy thing plus black jeans is already an outfit.
The Wrapped Burgundy Sweater
Oscar de la Renta's sweater is burgundy cashmere with a built-in scarf that wraps across the chest, so it looks styled even when you did nothing. Leset's Barb pants are black satin with a wide leg and an easy waist. Loeffler Randall's Elise boots are sleek black leather on a block heel, and Dries Van Noten's burgundy suede clutch has a dark green handle (one surprise per outfit is my rule). How to wear it: keep jewelry small, because the sweater is already doing a lot.
Patent Burgundy Skirt, Black Zip Cardigan
Self-Portrait's midi skirt is shiny burgundy vinyl with a zip at the front, and it is the boldest thing in this edit. Sacai's black zip cardigan calms it down (it is basically a very good track jacket). Gianvito Rossi's 55 pumps match the skirt in burgundy suede, and Proenza Schouler's ruched black tote is big enough for everything. What I would skip: a shiny top. One glossy piece per outfit is plenty.
The Draped Dress and the Big Trench
Fforme's Kahlo dress is burgundy crepe draped from one shoulder, long and fluid, and it is the evening option. Over it goes the Moncler Genius and Edward Enninful Zake trench in black, belted, with big rounded sleeves. Lemaire's ankle boots are plain black leather on a low heel, which is exactly why they work under a dress this dramatic. The Attico's L'Altra di Milano bag is a neat black leather shoulder bag that will not compete.
A Burgundy Blazer Over All Black
This is the office outfit. Veronica Beard's Isaac Dickey blazer is burgundy crepe, single-breasted and fitted, and everything under it is black: Studio Nicholson's boxy Taler top, Lanvin's wool midi skirt with a draped panel at one side, and Church's Pembrey loafers in polished black leather. The blazer is the only color, and that is the nicest way to wear burgundy to work.
Keep the Burgundy Deep
The deeper the burgundy, the better it looks with black. Wine, oxblood and black cherry all work, while a brighter red starts to look like a different idea. Let black take the most space and give burgundy one or two pieces, ideally in a texture you can see, like suede, satin or patent. If you only buy one thing, make it a burgundy bag, because you will carry it with every black outfit you own.
