A burgundy and gray outfit is the quiet, grown-up pairing for fall, a deep red that looks richer next to soft heathered gray. I pair a burgundy turtleneck with gray track pants, then build three more looks around a skirt, a dress and a satin blazer.
Burgundy and Gray Outfits to Try This Fall
In 1955, Sloan Wilson published The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit, and a year later Gregory Peck starred in the film. The title turned gray flannel into shorthand for the office, for sensible, for blending in. Gray has spent the decades since trying to shake that reputation, and burgundy is how it does it.
Gray on its own can look like a uniform. Add burgundy and it starts to look rich, because the deep red brings warmth that gray does not have, and gray keeps the red from looking like a holiday. It is a pairing that works at the office and at dinner.
A quick test: wear your gray sweater with a burgundy lip, bag or boot. If the gray suddenly looks soft and warm rather than flat, this pairing is for you.
Start With One Piece of Each
Burgundy is easiest in leather and suede, and gray is easiest in knits. Neous' Berenices tote is burgundy suede with leather trim, and Gabriela Hearst's Luke 90 ankle boots are a plum suede that reads burgundy. For gray, Yves Salomon's ribbed cashmere snood is a hood you pull over your head on cold days, and Khaite's Cecilia pumps are soft gray suede on a low heel. One of each with a black coat is a good start.
A Burgundy Turtleneck, Gray Track Pants
Max Mara's Saluto turtleneck is a fine burgundy wool, and Nili Lotan's Kiki track pants are gray jersey, cropped with a drawstring. It is a polished way to wear sweats. Manolo Blahnik's BB ballet flats are gray suede with a pointed toe, and Christian Louboutin's Maykimay bag is burgundy satin on a silver chain, which dresses everything up.
How to wear it: tuck the turtleneck in all the way so the drawstring waist looks like a choice, then add the bag.
A Gray Sweater, a Burgundy Skirt
Éterne's James sweater is a light gray cashmere crewneck, relaxed and soft. Alessandra Rich's mini skirt is burgundy virgin wool with gold buttons on the front, and it is the piece that makes the outfit. Gianvito Rossi's Mary Jane pumps are burgundy suede, and Bottega Veneta's fringed cashmere scarf is gray with a leather-trimmed end. Add gray tights if it is cold out.
The Burgundy Dress, a Gray Jacket
Brandon Maxwell's Mila maxi dress is burgundy jersey with one shoulder and draping at the hip. Moncler's Reposse jacket is gray wool and cashmere with a hood, and it turns an evening dress into something you can wear on a walk. Aquazzura's Martine 110 ankle boots are burgundy suede on a high heel, and Khaite's clutch is burgundy leather with a sculpted gold detail.
What I would skip: gray shoes. Burgundy boots under a burgundy dress make one long line, and the jacket stays the only gray.
A Burgundy Satin Blazer Over Gray
Galvan's sculpted satin blazer is listed as red but looks deep burgundy, with a sharp shape and a soft shine. Under it, The Row's Iverness long-sleeve T-shirt is gray cashmere, and St. Agni's asymmetric wool midi skirt is a matching gray with an angled hem. Gray top and gray skirt make the blazer pop. Jil Sander's Vision mini tote is burgundy leather and repeats the blazer.
Give the Flannel Some Color
Burgundy and gray work because gray needs warmth and burgundy needs calm. Choose burgundies that lean brown or wine rather than bright red, and grays that are heathered and soft rather than cold. Let gray take the big pieces and burgundy the leather. If you only try one look, start with the burgundy turtleneck and gray track pants. If you want to keep browsing, I also put together Cream and Gray Outfits to Try This Fall and Gray and Black Outfits to Try This Fall.
