Leopard Print and Burgundy Outfits

Leopard and burgundy is the pairing that makes me want to light a candle and pour a glass of red wine. It's warm and a bit decadent, and it looks just as good at a work lunch as it does at a late dinner.

The reason it works: leopard is already full of browns, golds and black, and burgundy sits right alongside them. You're not adding a new color, you're turning up one that's already hiding in the print. It's much easier than leopard with black, which can tip into cliché. If you want to keep going, Burgundy and Black Outfits to Try This Fall is the one I would read next.

The leopard grid covers a range of scales. Mother's Hustler Flood pants and R13's Joan cropped flares are the everyday versions, great with a burgundy knit. Dolce&Gabbana's leopard straight-leg pants are pure glamour. For dresses, Gucci's cashmere mini has a big, bold print, while Carolina Herrera's jacquard maxi does leopard in black and cream, softer and very elegant. Borgo De Nor's Astoria dress is devoré with fringe at the hem, the most dramatic thing here. I went deeper on a related idea in Camel and Burgundy Outfits to Try This Fall.

A good outfit to start with: leopard pants, a burgundy crewneck, a camel coat and brown boots. Every piece is a color that already lives in the print, so it all hangs together without any extra work from you. For the neighbouring ground, there is Leopard Print Tote Bags: Totes, Clutches and Crossbodies.

Burgundy is red with the volume turned down. It's the color of oxblood loafers and old velvet curtains, and it's much easier to wear than bright red.

Velvet is the fabric I'd reach for first. Veronica Beard's Raelynn Dickey velvet jacket is a proper blazer that looks rich with leopard pants. Borgo De Nor's Arden dress is velvet with a crystal-embellished belt, a party dress with real presence. For something softer, Max Mara's Placido mohair-blend turtleneck vest goes over a white shirt and under a coat.

Satin gives the color shine. Sanderlak's satin wide-leg pants are the easy evening option, and Rabanne's gathered jersey skirt drapes beautifully. Agolde's Theodore ruched tank is $190 and goes under everything.

Tonal dressing works well here: burgundy top, burgundy pants, leopard shoes. Very chic.

If velvet feels like too much for daytime, a burgundy knit does the same job. It's the easiest bridge between leopard and everything else in your closet.

If you want the pairing without the commitment, do it with accessories. A leopard shoe with a burgundy outfit, or a burgundy bag with a leopard coat. I also put together Burgundy and Gray Outfits to Try This Fall.

Gianvito Rossi's Georgie loafer is leopard-print suede, flat and practical. Cult Gaia's Abi sandal and Kazia Nano crossbody are both cheetah, the smaller, spottier cousin of leopard. Liffner's belted calf hair clutch is the most polished bag in the grid.

On the burgundy side, Saint Laurent's Le Loafer is glossy eel with a gold Cassandre logo, and Mansur Gavriel's Zeppa slide and Mini Gaia crossbody both come in a deep claret. The Dragon Diffusion Castello bag is woven leather with a beautifully handmade look.

Pick one leopard accessory and one burgundy accessory, and you can wear this pairing with jeans and a white T-shirt.

Leopard gets called a neutral a lot, and I only half agree. It's a neutral if the print is good and the scale suits you. A tiny, busy print can look fussy and a huge one can swallow you, so hold it up in a mirror before you buy.

What I'd skip: leopard in thin, shiny polyester, which looks costume-like very quickly, and burgundy that leans purple or brown, which muddies the pairing. I'd also skip a leopard coat with leopard shoes and a leopard bag. One print piece is plenty, and a good one in a good fabric will stay in your closet for many seasons.

The simplest version: let burgundy pull the warm tones out of the leopard. One print piece, one deep red piece and everything else plain and dark, and you'll look warm and rich without looking like you tried too hard.

Velvet, varsity knits and a very good trench, for the rest of the season.

Velvet Jacket

Varsity Sweater

NYC Fall Outfits

Burberry Jacket for Women

Purple Sweater

Sherpa Jacket

Winter Hats for Women

Burgundy and Chocolate Brown Outfits to Try This Fall