What is Burgundy? Bridesmaid Dress Color Dictionary

In your bridesmaid dress shopping journey, you will encounter literally hundreds of colors to choose from. Narrowing it down to a general color group (like red) is the only way to make progress at first. But after you’ve done that, you’ll need to start thinking about color in more detail. Depending on how you look at it, there can be anything from 40 to 140 different shades of red. Burgundy is one of our favorites.

What is Burgundy?

Burgundy is a rich, deep red with a bit of brown mixed in. It shares a name with a prominent wine region in France, famous for its Pinot Noir. Like the wine, the color burgundy is dry and sophisticated, spicy and complex. It’s one of those colors that everybody sees slightly differently. Some people may sense a purple undertone, while others catch a glimpse of its earthy browns.

The Origins and Symbolism of Burgundy

Back in the 1800s, English travelers started bringing French wine home. Many of these wines came from the Burgundy region, which is what gave the color its nickname. Soon, it became the hue of choice for royalty and nobles. Burgundy still dominates in educational, historical, and religious institutions. It is still associated with prestige and tradition.

There are many reasons burgundy crops up so often in grounded, conservative settings. It is a muted, serious color that can symbolize bloodshed and valor. It also has a long-time residency in the Catholic Church, which is inextricably connected to wealth and power. On the flip side, burgundy is also the color of 1920s lipsticks, goth-girls in tartan, and vampy starlets.

Burgundy for Bridesmaid Dresses

So, you’ve settled on burgundy dresses for your bridesmaids. How do you know it’s the right choice? Start by imagining your burgundy ladies by your side, then add in your wedding theme, the season, and everyone’s skin tones to get a fuller picture.

Which Wedding Themes Suit Burgundy Best?

As the official color of so many respected institutions, burgundy has a formal look and feel. For this reason, we suggest using it for traditional and religious weddings or even black tie affairs. With the right accessories, it will also work for glam, vintage, or art deco weddings.

Which Skin Tones Suit Burgundy Best?

Burgundy can be a hard color to pin down as every dressmaker uses a slightly different shade. If your bridesmaids have cooler-toned skin, look for the burgundy that leans toward purple. If they have warm-toned skin, you can go for a browner version akin to brick red.

Which Seasons to Wear Burgundy?

Burgundy is really an all-season color. You can wear it for a winter wedding to inject some magic and warmth or use it in summer to contrast the bright green foliage. It’s super saturated, so bright light won’t wash it out, and it even looks good against cloudy or rainy skies!

Burgundy Alternatives and Similar Colors

If you’re not entirely set on burgundy just yet, it may be worth exploring a few nearby tones for your bridesmaid dresses.

Maroon

Burgundy and maroon are very similar, so it can be easy to confuse them. Strictly speaking, burgundy has more of a purple tinge to it, while maroon tends more toward a gorgeous, if slightly muddy, red. Both are solid and bold colors for bridesmaid’s dresses and can even be worn simultaneously.

Wine

Wine is to burgundy what burgundy is to maroon. If you’re looking for something with a definite purple streak, this is the hue for you. Wine is a sumptuous yet cool color that works best against neutrals like beige and ivory.

Plum

Just like its namesake, the color plum is dark and juicy. It’s also on the purple side but with more saturation than wine, burgundy, or maroon. Plum is filled with romance and desire and looks elegant with lace detailing or as layers of sheer fabric.

Cherry

Another color named for a fruit, cherry is an absolute showstopper for winter weddings. How does it stack up against burgundy? Cherry is more vibrant and contains much less brown and a lot more pure red. These ratios make it a brighter color overall. If you like the vampy and seductive look, go for dark cherry—a shade closer to burgundy.

Which Colors Go Best With Burgundy?

Burgundy is an intense color that can stand well on its own. If you do want to pair it with something else, we suggest going for something less dominant. That means either a bright, playful color or a subdued pastel.

Royal blue

A royal blue hue is just as official and luxurious as burgundy, and the two make a vibrant pair. Putting such equals side by side creates a very bold color palette that demands attention and respect. Choose dense, saturated fabrics, and you have a winner.

Sage green

On the softer side of things, there is sage green. This color, paired with burgundy, is a delicate yet vibrant combination—the green in direct contrast with the red. The muted nature of the sage echoes the brown tinge of the burgundy, so the combo will never appear too loud.

Champagne

Burgundy is associated with royalty and glamor, both of which are immortalized by gold. It makes sense to pair the rich red with a gold-tinged neutral like champagne. The latter will bring out the former’s warm undertones, and the light and dark tones will create an irresistible contrast.

Baby pink

If you love pink but don’t want it to be too Barbie, pairing it with a strong color like burgundy will make it feel more grown up. Choose a dusty shade of pink to pick up on the earthy tones of the burgundy and make the two speak to each other.

How to Style Burgundy Bridesmaid Dresses

Create an Ombre Effect

Choose a set of bridesmaid dresses in the same style, then vary the colors by a few shades to create a cascading ombre palette when your ladies are standing together. Burgundy will be your darkest shade in the mix, followed by watermelon, blush, and barely-there pink. Flowy fabrics like chiffon will accentuate the watercolor effect.

Pair it With Neutrals

Why water down a bold color like burgundy when it was born to be the star of the show? Make it so by pairing it with nude shoes, lipsticks, and accessories. Adding a little sparkle is okay, but make sure nothing steals the burgundy’s spotlight. Choose a solid, saturated beige or taupe as your neutral tone to give the red more polish.

Go for Rich Textures

Feature burgundy as the royals used to wear it by choosing heavy dress fabrics with structure. This style will make the already bold color look even more sophisticated. For winter weddings, you can go for velvet or velour, and in summer, there is shiny satin or silk. These fabrics work extra well for vintage or black-tie weddings.

Create a Fall Palette

Some burgundy shades are warmer, while others strike a cool purple tone. Both are perfect for fall weddings. Mirror the autumn landscape by choosing mismatched bridesmaid dresses in burgundy, terracotta, and gold. The purples in the burgundy will contrast the surrounding oranges for a visually striking look.