How to Style Burgundy for the Holidays: Three Easy, Elegant Looks
I don’t think most of us need to rush out and buy “special occasion” clothing for the holidays. Unless you have a very formal event on the calendar, I encourage you to create festive outfits from pieces that can multitask and work beyond December. Over the next couple of weeks, I’ll be sharing ideas for “festive, not fussy” holiday looks featuring separates you can mix, match, and re-wear. Today’s featured piece is a soft pointelle cardigan, a lovely way to add texture and warmth without the bulk.
Look 1: Tonal Burgundy With a Slip Skirt
Burgundy is widely available this season, and it’s a color that’s rich enough to look festive but understated enough for everyday wear. Burgundy appears in both of the cool seasonal palettes (Summer and Winter) and works well with brighter colors as well as neutrals. To start, here’s a tonal look that feels polished without being overly dressy.
(Click on text in red for links to individual items.)
FRAGRANCE | RING | LIPSTICK | SHOES | BAG
(Lip color is “140 Alive”)
Wearing the same color (or similar) separates creates an elegant and put-together look. Unless you opt for a matched set, varying the textures will add interest and keep the outfit from looking flat. Above I’ve paired the soft pointelle cardigan with a satin slip skirt. Accessories can go a long way toward adding festive sparkle, so don’t be afraid to go a little “extra ✨” this season!
(If you prefer a v-neck cardigan, here’s a nice one.)
Look 2: Satin Pants for an Effortless Party Look
If you prefer pants to skirts, or want something party-ready but versatile enough to style casually, these satin trousers are a great option.
SHOES (SIMILAR) | EYE SHADOW | BAG
(Lip color is “Red Juniper”)
Here I’ve styled the cardigan with mauve satin pants and a lace-trimmed camisole. You can wear the sweater open over the camisole, or keep the top few buttons unfastened to let the lace peek out. A pretty pendant necklace and shimmer-trim bag add festive sparkle.
Look 3: Casual Layers for Low-Key Gatherings
Not every holiday gathering calls for dressing up. For more relaxed get-togethers, or days that blur into errands and meet-ups, here’s an easy casual outfit that still feels intentional.
FRAGRANCE | BOOTS | BAG
(Similar boots with a block heel)
Swap out the boots for sneakers and you’re comfortably ready for running errands or meeting friends for coffee.
A Mini Burgundy Holiday Capsule
When you look at all three outfits together, the pieces form a cohesive little collection. With just a few items, you can build multiple looks that work for everything from travel days to dinners out to festive holiday gatherings.
BAG | PANTS | JEANS | SKIRT (SIMILAR) | SCARF (SIMILAR)
BALLET FLATS | METALLIC FLATS | BOOTS | SUNGLASSES
Shop the Capsule & Burgundy Favorites
(Click on images to shop. Mobile users: keep scrolling to see all products)
Is your holiday calendar already filling up? Will you be traveling or hosting this year? I’d love to hear what kinds of events you’re planning for, and what you’re thinking of wearing. Share in the comments!
Looking for holiday gift ideas? Be sure to check out my “Comfort & Joy” gift guides!
This article was published at an earlier date and has been updated to provide current and relevant product selections.
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Thank you for featuring burgundy. I’m a winter and burgundy is one of the fall colors I enjoy participating in. This year it’s “big” but I’ve always worn burgundy. Last year I bought some burgundy corduroy pants from Madewell and I was surprised how often I wore them. Burgundy accessories are fun too. And I’ve just added the burgundy cardigan to my wish list.
Thanks, Robyn! There are so many great burgundy pieces this season.
What a wonderful curation! I can see this in my suitcase and being ready for anything life throws at me. Bravo!
Thanks, Vicki! I’m glad you like it.
Burgundy, YES! This morning I tried to figure out what to wear to our building’s Halloween party tonight. I pulled out black pants, a black tee, and an old burgundy velvet jacket. It seemed right for the season! Happy Halloween to all.
I’m an autumn. Can you do burgundy with gold accessories/accent pieces?
Hi Catherine, some Autumns can wear a more brownish-toned burgundy (sometimes called “Oxblood”).
I LOVE these outfit ideas! Burgundy is a great color for me. Thanks!
Thanks, Susan!
Love the outfits. It’s that time of year to get these things in order. I can’t believe how fast time is flying!
Thank you, Eva! I can’t believe it either…
I keep choosing this hue of burgundy too as that is the colour available in the shop. But I need a shade with more yellow in it, a brighter, redder burgundy. Darned. I cannot find it.
Greetje
Gorgeous outfits! Especially the sweaters! Great ideas that work for a variety of settings. Let the holidays begin…after tomorrow.
For the first time ever we will not be hosting groups for either Thanksgiving or Christmas. Instead our children will be going with us to Costa Rica for Christmas.
How does this Colorado girl wrap her head around warmer temps for this holiday?
Hi,
I enjoy reading your posts and a fair/skinned, blue eyed redhead. I’ve thought that I had spring palette, but probably not a warm spring. The color red doesn’t look good on me. I have a lot of blue clothes. What would you recommend for an accent color, like if I were to purchase a scarf? Thanks
Hi Elizabeth, without having analyzed your color palette in person, that’s a hard question to answer. What are some of the other colors in your wardrobe that you like to wear and feel good in?
Teal green, medium grey, medium violet, salmon, kelly green are some of the colors I wear. Maybe I am a warm spring. It’s just that I can’t wear all of the colors in that palette equally well.
Didn’t think I’d look good in burgundy…but just wasn’t choosing the right shade. I like it, and I love the sweater you’re showing here.
Also….wanted to say “thank you” for suggesting the Lo & Sons crossbody for traveling. I bought it in black, and it was the only purse I wore (left my Pacsafe one in the hotel room) all through Paris and Burgundy. It held everything I needed, and didn’t weigh me down. If you’re planning a trip, definitely buy this bag!
Thank you for these great ideas, Susan. I love festive and comfortable holiday dressing!
And an aside: I love Christmas, and I sure wish retailers didn’t insist on showing us Christmas ads/merchandise until after Remembrance Day. Sadly, coffee shops have been playing Christmas music for a few weeks already – gosh, their staff must be thoroughly fed up by the time December rolls around.
Thanks again for the great ideas.
Amen Brenda
Lovely cardigan. Not one for a Dark Autumn looking to find something to go with a black lace skirt?
No, but I’ll be featuring some Autumn options in future posts.
Excellent! For the time being, I’ll make do with the camel sweater to wear with the skirt.
Love burgundy. As a Light Summer color type it’s not a color I’m “supposed” to wear. I don’t care! It’s a classy and classic color.
Love love love the J.Crew burgundy sweater which I would buy in a heartbeat but unfortunately the Gwyneth pleated skirt is out of stock in my size .
I will be looking forward to more posts from you for festive outfit ideas . I am wondering if a sequin pencil skirt is appropriate for a 70 yr old gal ? I am thinking the one on the Talbots website .
Thanks in advance !
Colette
Hi Colette, I think if a sequin pencil skirt appeals to you, you can wear it at any age!
The only worry I have about wearing my holiday outfits is will it be cool enough to wear them this year.
I’m curious about the brushed cashmere…I fear it will mat with wear. Does anyone have experience with it? Thank-you in advance.
I love what you did with the burgundy outfits, but I am an “Autumn”. I hope you will be doing a similar post for us warm-season folks. Thank you for all your posts. They are always helpful, entertaining, and enjoyable.
Hi Marcie, thanks, and yes I’ll be doing similar posts with different seasonal color palettes.
Love all of these. I am so glad burgundy is abundant this year, it’s a perfect neutral for me. I wear it with a pop of chartreuse, turquoise, pink or even red.
Susan, do you have any tips on how to incorporate burgundy for Springs?
Sending warm holiday wishes your way,
Linda
Hi Linda, Burgundy isn’t in the Spring palette, and can often make Springs look drained if worn near the face. If you really love Burgundy, I’d stick to the more brownish “Oxblood” versions and only with accessories or pants/skirts.
There is often not enough yellow in Burgundy. More blue and that is not flattering on me. Pitty as I love the colour. Oh well, I have boots in that colour. That is always a solution haha.
Greetje
I’m in love with the Bernardo Faux-Fur Coat! Did you mean for the link to take us to the navy one for the capsule you created here? Or should it be the black one?
Hi Tammy, thanks! Both the Navy and Black are available via the same link. I used the image of the navy coat in the capsule, but either would work here.
Thanks for writing back, Susan. I think I’m going to go for the black one 🙂