Does Burgundy Suit You? Burgundy by Undertone

Burgundy generally suits a wide range of undertones, with the best shade shifting by undertone: brick-leaning for warm, plum-leaning for cool, and deep earthy oxblood for olive and neutral. The colour is not the hurdle; the red-versus-purple balance inside it is.

Burgundy sits between red and purple, so one garment may look very different from another. A burgundy with brown in it feels cosy and autumnal. One with more blue feels like red wine or ripe berries. Choosing the lean that echoes your skin is the simple secret.

Burgundy by undertone

Warm undertone: look for the brick

Warm skin has golden or peachy notes, and a burgundy with some brown or orange in it will usually sit more naturally. Think of dark brick, chestnut or the colour of cooked tomato sauce, reduced down. A purple-heavy wine can feel a little distant, though you can still wear it lower on the body. The warm undertone colour guide shows what to pair with it.

Cool undertone: reach for the berry

Cool undertones tend to shine in colours with a blue base. Plum, wine and a burgundy that leans raspberry usually look sharp against pinkish or bluish skin. If you love silver jewellery and find that it flatters you, burgundy with a touch of violet often goes beautifully with it.

Neutral undertone: choose balance

With a neutral undertone, a classic oxblood that is neither very brown nor very purple is an easy winner. Because you sit between warm and cool, you can also borrow ideas from either side. Our neutral undertone guide explains how to find which way you lean.

Olive undertone: go deep and earthy

Olive skin has a green or grey-green cast, and very bright, cherry-like reds can sometimes make it look more sallow. Deep, dark oxblood, or burgundy with a bit of brown, tends to feel grounded. Many people with an olive undertone enjoy burgundy as one of their richest colours. If you are not sure that describes you, read about olive undertone.

How to wear burgundy

1. Test it by the chin. In daylight, hold the garment under your face and watch for warmth in your skin rather than redness around the nose and cheeks.
2. Pick the fabric. Matte knits, wool and suede-like textures make burgundy look expensive and soft. Shiny satin can look more dramatic and a little harder.
3. Balance the depth. Burgundy is dark, so pair it with something lighter near the face, such as a cream shirt collar, if it feels heavy.
4. Use it as a statement. It often works best as the main colour of an outfit, with calm neutrals around it.

Colours that go with burgundy

• Classic burgundy
• Oxblood
• Cream
• Camel
• Forest green
• Charcoal
• Blush

Cream and camel soften it for warm and neutral looks. Forest green is a classic, slightly unexpected partner that works on many undertones. Charcoal keeps cool looks sleek, while blush adds a gentle contrast. For metals, warm and olive undertones tend to enjoy gold, cool tones silver; the jewellery guide helps you check.

Texture and season

Burgundy has a natural home in autumn and winter, though a lightweight burgundy top can look refreshing in other months. Velvet, corduroy and chunky knits give it extra depth. In summer, try it as a bag, a belt or a scarf so you keep the colour without the weight.

Where Kittyfit fits in

Kittyfit begins with a quick test and an optional face and wrist photo that is analysed on your iPhone. It then scores your clothes against your undertone, so you can see whether a burgundy piece is a strong match. Virtual try-on is optional and asks for your approval first. Explore Kittyfit.