How to Wear a Burgundy Tie (and Burgundy vs Maroon)

A burgundy tie earns its place by making familiar clothes look considered. The navy suit stays. So does the white shirt. Explore burgundy ties or their warmer cousins, maroon ties. Both work for Monday and a wedding.

For the rest of the kit, see our guide to the order to buy suit accessories.

Wear a burgundy tie with a white or light blue shirt and navy, charcoal or grey suits. Burgundy usually leans purple; maroon leans brown. Start with a woven texture for business, linen or knit for relaxed outfits, and a burgundy bow tie when the occasion allows colour.

By The Brothers at OTAA · Updated 5 November 2026

Burgundy Herringbone Necktie worn with a light blue shirt and grey suit
Burgundy Herringbone Necktie with light blue and grey. A darker tie gives the pale shirt its focal point.

Deep red. Plenty of range.

One colour family.
A better rotation.

Burgundy brings a little warmth to business clothes. Maroon makes sense with earthy outfits. The surface does as much work as the colour name.

Find your combinationExplore burgundy bow ties

Shop the photographed herringbone tie

Choose the tie against the shirt and jacket you will actually wear.

Burgundy vs maroon: what is the difference?

Burgundy is generally a purple-leaning dark red. Maroon is generally a brown-leaning dark red. Burgundy feels cooler beside blue and grey; maroon makes an easy connection with tan, olive and brown. Both work with white shirts and navy suits. The names hint at it: burgundy comes from the red wine of Burgundy in France, maroon from the French marron, a chestnut.

Clothing names overlap, so judge the actual cloth. A sheen, a small blue pattern or a raised weave can change how the red reads. The two photographed examples below show why the product image matters more than the label alone.

Burgundy and maroon at a glance
Choice Usual undertone Start with Useful finish
Burgundy Purple-leaning red White or light blue; navy or charcoal Herringbone, small pattern or velvet
Maroon Brown-leaning red White or cream; navy, tan or olive Smooth weave, linen or knit
Burgundy Houndstooth Tie worn with a white shirt and cream suit
Burgundy Houndstooth Tie. The small dark pattern gives this burgundy a cooler appearance against white.
Dark Maroon Tie worn with a white shirt and pale beige suit
Dark Maroon Tie. A warmer red against white and a pale beige suit.

If you are choosing for a wedding party, compare the actual ties together before ordering the group. Two products called burgundy need not match. For more shades, explore burgundy ties and maroon ties. For what burgundy says beside navy, red and green, see our tie colour meanings guide.

What colour shirt goes with a burgundy tie?

White first, light blue next. White gives burgundy or maroon a clean outline. Light blue brings a cool background to a deep red tie. These are the two shirts we would buy before trying a darker or more colourful combination. Start with the Carruthers White Lucious Non-Iron Shirt, or the OTAA White Shirt in Classic Fit; for more white-shirt pairings, see which tie suits a white shirt.

Choose the shirt before the accessories
Shirt How it works Our advice
White The clearest contrast with either dark red The simplest option for business, weddings and dinner.
Light blue A cooler background for burgundy or warm maroon Use a tie darker than the shirt; navy and grey jackets work well.
Fine blue stripe Adds pattern without changing the palette Choose a plain tie or a much larger tie pattern.
Pale pink A softer red-family combination Separate the shades: pale shirt, deep tie, plain dark jacket.
Lavender Echoes burgundy’s purple undertone Try deep burgundy with navy or grey; use browner maroon more sparingly.
Pale grey A restrained background for a dark red tie Choose a tie that stands out from both shirt and jacket.
Cream or ecru Warmer than white Try brown-leaning maroon with a tan or olive suit.
Black Dark and deliberately dramatic Our preference is a white shirt when you want the tie to stand out.
Burgundy Herringbone Necktie worn over a light blue shirt beneath a grey suit
Burgundy Herringbone Necktie. The light blue shirt separates the red tie from the grey jacket.

For your own light blue version, the Riskin Light Blue Lucious Non-Iron Shirt has a fine dobby weave. Browse dress shirts for the fit and collar you prefer. Our light blue shirt and tie guide covers the other colour options.

Fasten the collar before judging the knot. A shirt that pulls at the neck will distract from a good colour choice. Choose the fit first, then compare collar shapes.

What suit goes with a burgundy or maroon tie?

Navy is our starting point. It gives both reds enough contrast without making the outfit feel busy. Grey is just as useful; choose charcoal for a stronger evening look and mid-grey for a lighter daytime combination.

Burgundy and maroon ties by suit colour
Suit Shirt Tie starting point Finish
Navy White or light blue Burgundy or maroon White square; one main pattern.
Charcoal White or pale blue Deep burgundy, plain or small pattern A neat knot and restrained accessories.
Mid-grey White, light blue or pale pink Burgundy herringbone or warmer maroon Let the shirt stay lighter than the tie.
Tan or beige White or cream Maroon linen, burgundy knit or small pattern A visible weave suits the lighter outfit.
Brown or olive White, cream or light blue Brown-leaning maroon or deep burgundy Avoid making every piece equally dark.
Black White Deep burgundy, with a restrained sheen An evening suit combination, not a substitute for black tie.
Burgundy Herringbone Necktie with a white shirt, navy jacket and white trousers
Burgundy Herringbone Necktie with navy separates and white trousers. The tie connects equally well with a full navy suit.

A checked jacket already has a pattern. Give it a plain shirt and a quieter tie. With a plain navy suit, you can introduce the Burgundy & Navy Blue Stripes Tie without adding another colour family.

Four ways to wear a burgundy tie

Start with the clothes you own. Change the look when the occasion changes, rather than buying a completely different outfit for each invitation.

01 / Business and interviews

Light blue, grey and herringbone

Light blue shirt + burgundy herringbone + a grey or charcoal suit.

A fine herringbone reads almost plain from a distance and gives the tie detail up close. It is a useful middle ground when a smooth tie feels too polished and a bold print feels too much. Leave the square white and the shirt plain.

Our pick is the Burgundy Herringbone Necktie because its small zigzag weave adds interest without another print. For a conventional interview, wear it with your most comfortable dark suit and a compact knot. More on the decision in our interview tie guide.

02 / Relaxed tailoring

A burgundy knit with tan or navy

White shirt + burgundy knit + tan suit or navy blazer.

A knit changes the mood without asking you to learn a new colour combination. Its open texture sits comfortably with a softer jacket. Start with a four-in-hand; too much knot can overwhelm a fuller knit.

Aisling Burgundy Knitted Tie worn with a white shirt and tan suit
Aisling Burgundy Knitted Tie with a white shirt and tan suit. The knit supplies the detail.

Our pick is the Aisling Burgundy Knitted Tie because it brings texture to a familiar white-shirt combination. A navy blazer and grey trousers are an equally useful version. See how to wear ties casually for the rest of the outfit.

03 / Daytime weddings and warm weather

Maroon linen with a white shirt

White shirt + maroon slub linen + a navy or pale suit.

A deep red need not look wintry. An uneven linen surface gives maroon a more relaxed look, especially with a white shirt and a lighter suit. The colour stays rich while the overall outfit feels less like an office uniform.

Maroon Slub Linen Necktie with a white shirt and navy windowpane suit
Maroon Slub Linen Necktie with a white shirt and navy windowpane. One larger suit pattern leaves room for the tie’s slub surface.

Our pick is the Maroon Slub Linen Necktie because the slub gives a plain red tie some character. For a wedding, use the invitation to settle formality, then let the tie pick up one colour from the wider palette. Browse wedding ties or our summer wedding guide for lighter combinations.

04 / Dinner and winter celebrations

Deep burgundy with a velvet finish

White shirt + burgundy velvet + charcoal or dark navy suit.

Velvet gives the same colour a different presence. Its pile catches the light, so the tie becomes the main detail. A plain shirt and a quiet square are enough. We would leave a shiny lapel pin and an elaborate tie bar out of this version.

Our pick is the Bond Burgundy Velvet Necktie because its pile brings richness to a plain suit. It also works with a pale suit when you want stronger contrast. For traditional black tie, choose the correct dinner-suit outfit and black bow tie instead.

Plain, striped, herringbone or knitted?

The cloth is your second decision after colour. A plain-looking woven tie is the easiest business choice. Stripes give a plain shirt movement. A knit softens a suit, while linen brings a less even surface. Velvet makes more of an occasion.

Claret tie with a small pale geometric pattern, photographed rolled
A small pale repeat against claret. The pattern adds contrast without a second strong colour.
Claret tie with narrow navy diagonal stripes
Narrow navy stripes on a dark red ground. A quieter stripe for a plain shirt.
Burgundy Weave Necktie worn with a white shirt and grey pinstripe suit
Burgundy Weave Necktie with a white shirt and grey pinstripes. A quiet tie keeps the suit’s pattern in focus.

With a striped shirt, change the scale. Broad tie stripes against fine shirt stripes are easier to read than two nearly identical repeats. With a checked suit, begin with a plain shirt and a tie that looks quiet from across the room. Our tie patterns guide explains the options.

Our two picks are the Burgundy & Navy Blue Stripes Tie for a plain shirt and the Burgundy Weave Necktie when the jacket already has character. The weave gives you detail without needing a louder colour.

Stripes, dots or a plain satin finish

The Royal Burgundy Striped Necktie gives a white or blue shirt a crisp diagonal line. The Mahogany Maroon with White Polka Dots Necktie repeats white from the shirt on a warmer ground. If you prefer one solid colour, the Burgundy Satin Necktie adds a smooth sheen.

Browse striped ties, polka dot ties and houndstooth ties for other repeats.

How to wear a burgundy bow tie

A burgundy bow tie works with a white shirt and a navy, grey or brown suit. Choose it for a wedding, dinner or party that allows coloured neckwear. It is a change in shape as well as colour, so leave the rest of the outfit simple.

Burgundy Satin Butterfly Bow Tie
Burgundy Satin Butterfly Bow Tie. The folds catch the light and give the red a stronger sheen.
Bond Burgundy Velvet Butterfly Bow Tie
Bond Burgundy Velvet Butterfly Bow Tie. The softer pile gives burgundy a deeper appearance.
Bond Burgundy Velvet Self Bow Tie worn with a white shirt and brown double-breasted suit
Bond Burgundy Velvet Self Bow Tie with a white shirt and a brown suit. A coloured bow tie does not require a wing collar.

A self-tie has folds you make yourself. A pre-tied bow keeps its formed shape and is straightforward to put on. Choose the one you will wear comfortably, then check its neck adjustment on the product page. Our self-tie versus pre-tied guide covers the practical difference.

For traditional black tie, the starting point remains a black bow tie with a dinner suit. Save burgundy for an invitation that allows the variation. See the black tie guide if that is the dress code.

Our pick is the Bond Burgundy Velvet Self Bow Tie for its individual folds. Choose the Bond Burgundy Velvet Bow Tie if you prefer a formed bow. Both give white shirts a strong focal point.

Prefer a woven bow to velvet?

The Burgundy Weave Bow Tie is a quieter choice with a daytime suit. The Burgundy Polka Dots Bow Tie adds a small white repeat against the red. Both are pre-tied with adjustable straps.

Find the full burgundy bow tie collection or browse velvet bow ties. Follow how to tie a velvet bow tie for a self-tie.

Burgundy ties for weddings, interviews and the office

The same colour can cover several occasions. Let the shirt, cloth and suit set the formality.

Choose burgundy for the occasion
Occasion Shirt Tie Finish
Interview White or light blue Plain-looking burgundy weave or small pattern Navy or charcoal suit.
Everyday office White, light blue or a fine blue stripe Herringbone, stripes or dots Change the pattern scale when the shirt is striped.
Wedding guest White or light blue Burgundy satin, maroon linen or a small pattern Follow the invitation; avoid copying the wedding party’s full outfit.
Groom or wedding party White or the agreed shirt colour One selected shade and texture Compare physical ties together before the group order.
Christmas lunch White Maroon linen or burgundy knit A lighter suit for an Australian summer.
Evening celebration White Burgundy velvet necktie or bow tie A coloured bow only when the invitation allows it.

Burgundy ties for Christmas, summer or winter

A summer Christmas

Burgundy does the festive work without a novelty print. For an Australian summer lunch or work function, choose a white shirt, a lighter suit and a linen or knitted tie. For a smoother finish, try the Burgundy Satin Necktie. A dark red accent is enough; the entire outfit need not be red and green.

A winter Christmas

For a US or northern winter celebration, burgundy works with charcoal flannel, a navy suit or a brown jacket. Herringbone and velvet suit the richer outfit. Choose the jacket for the weather and setting; a tie fabric does not make the rest of the outfit suitable for the temperature.

Bond Black Butterfly Bow Tie
Bond Black Butterfly Bow Tie. Black remains the starting point for a traditional black-tie invitation.
Burgundy Satin Cummerbund
Burgundy Satin Cummerbund. A festive accent for evening invitations that allow colour.
Maroon Slub Linen Bow Tie worn with a white shirt and dark navy suit
Maroon Slub Linen Bow Tie with white and dark navy. A coloured bow can lift a familiar suit for a celebration.

For a summer bow-tie option, our pick is the Maroon Slub Linen Bow Tie because its cloth feels relaxed against white. Wear it when the invitation allows coloured neckwear.

At an office party, take the invitation and workplace as your starting point. A burgundy tie can be the only change from your usual suit. At a family lunch, a knit and soft blazer may be enough. Practise a self-tie before the day, and check shipping options early if you are ordering a gift.

Explore Christmas ties for the seasonal edit, or velvet ties for richer evening finishes. Leave time to try the knot and shirt together before the occasion.

The knot, pocket square and final check

A four-in-hand is a useful first knot. Try a half Windsor when a wider collar needs more fill. Judge the finished shape with the collar fastened: the knot should sit neatly beneath it, rather than push the points apart. Aim for the broad tip near your waistband.

Start with a white pocket square. For a patterned square, repeat a small blue, cream or burgundy accent from the outfit, rather than the entire tie design. A burgundy tie does not require a burgundy square, socks and lapel flower as well. Let one piece lead.

Browse pocket squares and our tie and pocket square guide. Use the tie tutorial for the knot and the tie length guide for the proportions.

Three mistakes worth avoiding

  • Buying by colour name alone. Compare the pictured cloth and, for a group, the physical samples together.
  • Making everything dark. A pale shirt gives burgundy a better outline than a nearly matching red shirt.
  • Giving every piece a pattern. Begin with a plain shirt, then choose the tie or jacket as the main patterned piece.

Do brown shoes go with a burgundy tie?

Yes. Dark brown shoes sit well with navy, tan or brown suits and a burgundy or maroon tie. Burgundy and oxblood leather can echo the red quietly. Black shoes are a good option with charcoal, black or more formal suits. Choose the leather for the suit and occasion; it need not match the tie.

Our navy suit, brown shoes and socks guide covers the rest of that combination. For a red accent in the breast pocket, browse burgundy pocket squares and choose a different texture or pattern from the tie.

Burgundy and maroon tie questions

What is the difference between burgundy and maroon?

Burgundy usually leans purple, while maroon usually leans brown. Clothing labels overlap, so compare the actual tie with your shirt and jacket rather than relying on the name.

What colour shirt goes best with a burgundy tie?

White is the easiest choice, followed by light blue. A pale pink or fine blue stripe also works when the tie stays darker and the jacket is restrained.

Can you wear a burgundy tie with a navy suit?

Yes. Wear a white or light blue shirt and choose a plain weave, small pattern or burgundy-and-navy stripe. A white pocket square is the simplest finish.

Does a burgundy tie go with a grey suit?

Yes. Burgundy works with charcoal, mid-grey and light grey. Start with white or light blue and let the tie provide the darker accent.

Can you wear a burgundy tie with a black suit?

Yes, with a white shirt and a restrained finish for an evening suit combination. Traditional black tie is a separate dress code, with a black bow tie and dinner suit.

Is a burgundy tie suitable for a job interview?

Yes, when a tie suits the workplace. Choose a plain-looking weave or small pattern with a white or light blue shirt and navy or charcoal tailoring.

Is burgundy only an autumn or winter colour?

No. Burgundy and maroon work throughout the year. Try linen or knit with lighter tailoring for warm weather, and herringbone or velvet with a richer winter outfit.

What pocket square goes with a burgundy tie?

White is the easiest starting point. A patterned square can repeat a small colour from the tie or shirt without matching the whole design.

Can I wear a burgundy bow tie to a wedding?

Yes, when the invitation allows coloured neckwear. Wear it with a white shirt and navy, grey or brown tailoring. For traditional black tie, choose a black bow tie instead.

Should I choose a burgundy or maroon tie for Christmas?

Either works. Choose linen or knit for an Australian summer function, or herringbone and velvet for a northern winter celebration. Match the formality of the invitation and let the tie carry the festive colour.

Is a burgundy tie formal?

The finish and outfit decide. A satin or velvet burgundy tie looks dressier with a white shirt and dark suit, while a knit or small pattern works with softer tailoring.

Do brown shoes go with a burgundy tie?

Yes. Dark brown shoes work well with navy, tan or brown tailoring and a burgundy or maroon tie. Black shoes also work, especially with charcoal, black or more formal tailoring.

The deep red edit

Find your burgundy. Or your maroon.

Start with the shirt and suit you already own. Choose the shade, then the surface. One good red tie has plenty of places to go.

Shop burgundy tiesShop maroon tiesShop burgundy bow tiesShop maroon bow ties

Still deciding? Try the Style Quiz, or build your rotation with the necktie Bundle Builder.

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The Brothers at OTAA

The Brothers at OTAA write The Journal: practical notes on ties, shirts and the details in between, from a Melbourne-founded menswear label.