How to wear burgundy shoes

Burgundy shoes add a certain panache to a gentleman’s wardrobe
Image source: Sergey Peterman

Men’s shoes in rich reds like burgundy, maroon, and oxblood are the perfect way to jazz up your business suit, and ideal for adding contrast to a pair of dark jeans or chinos. 

Just as flattering during the autumn and winter months as they are in the summer, try pairing these richly coloured burgundy shoes with textured tweeds and woollens to create a stylish and tactile look.

What’s the difference between burgundy, maroon, and oxblood?

Highly versatile, this deep red loafer is smart or casual
Image source: Classic Kempton loafers by Samuel Windsor

Burgundy, maroon, and oxblood are all reds but each offers subtly different characteristics. Burgundy takes its name from the French region and the wine it produces – it’s the reddest of the shades. Maroon – from the French word for chestnut, has more brown in it. Oxblood tends to be the darkest of the colours, though interpretations can vary from lighter tones through to the oxidised reddish hue with the purple and black tints of a true oxblood.

What colours match with red shoes?

Add a shot of personality to a plain business suit
Image source: Prestige Twin Monk Shoe in oxblood from Samuel Windsor

Use the background tints within the colour of your oxblood, burgundy or maroon shoes to guide your choice of outfit.

• Burgundy matches with charcoal grey, navy blue and black.
• Maroon shoes look good with deep brown, stone, oranges and greys.
• Oxblood goes with dark blue and indigo, black, greys, and green.

How to wear oxblood shoes

A polished Oxford shoe in oxblood is almost as formal as black for smart occasions
Image source: Classic Oxford Shoe in oxblood from Samuel Windsor

The purple shades that make oxblood the darkest of the rich reds mean that oxblood shoes look great with your grey, navy blue or black suit. For formal wear, make sure you stick to polished Oxfords, quarter brogues or monk shoes – anything else is likely to be too fussy for the office or boardroom.

Oxblood footwear really comes into its own for casual occasions too. A pair of cords with a smart shirt and wine coloured jumper or cardigan look great with oxblood shoes or boots.

How to wear maroon shoes

Split brogues add a serious sense of style to a celebratory outfit
Image source: Prestige split brogues from Samuel Windsor

Maroon shoes go well with chocolate moleskins, a checked Tattersall shirt and a chunky dark green jumper. Dressing down for the weekend – a pair of maroon deck shoes goes well with natural stone chinos and a polo shirt.

Looking for a way to add colour to a plain blue linen suit? Add a pair of split brogues, and you’ll instantly lift your outfit to something fit for a celebration. Echo the maroon theme by choosing a matching pocket square, and possibly even a maroon hat band for your Panama and you’ll really pull the look together into a coherent whole.

How to wear burgundy shoes

These burgundy boots look great with jeans or trousers
Image source: Prestige Leyton Boot in burgundy from Samuel Windsor

The most red of our footwear selection, burgundy leather shoes are more casual than formal.

The key to wearing a strong colour like burgundy is to add a complementary colour and just one contrasting tone – say burgundy boots, complementary navy jeans, and a contrasting pale yellow shirt. The key is to brighten your look without overdoing it.

Reds like burgundy, maroon, and oxblood offer the opportunity to inject a little personality while keeping your look super-smart. Polished oxblood monk shoes or Oxfords are only slightly less formal than black. How do you wear your red shoes? We’d love to hear from you. Just head over to our Facebook page and leave us a message.