10 Reasons Burgundy Belongs In Your Wardrobe

There are colours you admire from a distance, and then there are colours that quietly start making a case for space in your wardrobe. Burgundy belongs firmly in the second group.

It is not as predictable as black, not as loud as bright red, and it somehow makes even familiar clothes feel a little more interesting. You can go all in, of course, but the beauty of burgundy is that you really don’t have to. One bag, one shoe, one knit — sometimes that’s enough.

Still unconvinced? Here are ten reasons burgundy deserves a spot in your wardrobe.

1. It’s What You Buy When You’re Bored With Black

Black will always be useful, but there comes a point when another black bag, shoe or dress feels like buying something you already own. Burgundy gives you much of the same ease with a little more personality. It is dark enough not to frighten the colour-shy, but interesting enough to change the mood of an outfit.

2. It Makes Denim Look Better

This may be one of burgundy’s easiest wins. Blue denim and deep wine tones work together. Add burgundy loafers to jeans and a white shirt, or carry a burgundy bag with your favourite denim dress. Nothing complicated has happened, yet the outfit suddenly looks more considered.

3. It Plays Very Well With Others

Cream, grey, navy, camel, chocolate brown, olive, pale pink, white — burgundy is surprisingly sociable. Even red can work if you know what you’re doing. This means adding burgundy doesn’t require buying an entirely new supporting cast. Chances are, several things already hanging in your wardrobe are waiting for it.

4. A Burgundy Bag Does An Unreasonable Amount Of Work

This is probably how they get you. You buy one because it feels more interesting than another black bag. Then you discover it works with your jeans. And your grey trousers. And that cream dress. And chocolate brown. Three weeks later, you’re looking at burgundy loafers and calling them an “investment.” We know how this story ends.

5. It Loves A Good Texture

Burgundy is lovely in cotton, but give it leather, suede, velvet, satin or a chunky knit, and it really starts showing off. The depth of the colour becomes more noticeable, which is why a simple burgundy suede shoe or leather bag can look far more special than the same piece in a flatter shade.

6. It Can Make A Simple Piece Look More Expensive

No, burgundy cannot perform miracles on terrible fabric or bad finishing. But on a well-cut, simple piece, the colour has a richness that does a lot of visual heavy lifting. A satin skirt, pump, or structured bag in burgundy can look surprisingly polished without logos, embellishment, or much else.

7. It Knows How To Dress For A Wedding

Burgundy was practically made for occasion dressing. It looks beautiful in lace, velvet, satin, and aso-oke, and pairs well with gold, champagne, blush, and deeper jewel tones. It can be dramatic without becoming shouty, which is useful at a wedding where everybody has already come prepared to be seen.

8. You Don’t Even Have To Buy Clothes

Not ready for a burgundy blazer? Fine. Start with your nails. Try a deep wine lipstick, belt, scarf, sunglasses or even hair with burgundy undertones. You get the effect without committing half your wardrobe to the cause. Although once the nails happen, we cannot guarantee the bag won’t follow.

9. It Won’t Look Ridiculous When The Trend Moves On

Fashion may be paying extra attention to burgundy now, but wine, oxblood and deep red shades have been around for decades. The styling may change, but the colour itself isn’t likely to suddenly look like evidence from a very specific year. Buy a good burgundy piece, and you can keep wearing it long after fashion finds its next favourite colour.

10. It Might Already Be The Missing Piece

Sometimes a wardrobe doesn’t need more clothes. It needs something that makes the clothes already there feel different. Burgundy is very good at that. The white shirt looks sharper. The grey suit feels less corporate. Denim gets dressed up. Black gets a break.

You don’t need a burgundy takeover. You certainly don’t need the dress, bag, shoes, nails and lipstick all appearing at once.