Olive and burgundy sit close together on the color wheel's muted side, which is why they rarely clash: both are darkened, slightly grayed versions of green and red, so neither one shouts over the other. I reach for this pairing when someone wants color in fall but finds rust and mustard too loud. Burgundy carries the depth, olive calms it down, and a cream or tan piece in between gives the eye a place to rest. Below are 25 olive and burgundy outfit ideas, from weekend errands to office days, each built head to toe. Most of them start from pieces you probably own already, like jeans, a cream knit or a plain blazer, with one olive or burgundy piece doing the heavy lifting.
Which Olive and Which Burgundy Suit Your Skin
Both colors come in a wide range, and the shade you pick near your face matters more than the outfit formula. Olive runs from yellowish khaki-olive to a deep, almost brown army green. Burgundy runs from a purple-leaning wine to a brick-leaning oxblood. I test them the simple way: hold each shade under your chin in daylight, with no makeup, and watch what happens to the shadows under your eyes and around your mouth.
- Warm undertones (golden or peachy skin, veins that look greenish) usually glow in yellow-olive and brick or oxblood burgundy.
- Cool undertones (pink or rosy skin, bluish veins) look fresher in deep, gray-leaning olive and in wine or berry burgundy.
- If a shade makes you look tired or sallow at the chin, keep it below the waist as trousers, a skirt or boots, and wear cream or the friendlier color up top.
Fabric changes the color too. Satin and leather reflect light and look brighter, while wool, corduroy and suede absorb it and look deeper. Two burgundy pieces from different fabrics will rarely match exactly, and that's fine; I'd rather see a slight difference than two shades fighting to be the same.
1. Olive blazer with burgundy trousers outfit
This is the pairing I suggest for a first meeting or an office day, because the blazer gives structure and the burgundy keeps it from looking like a uniform. Pick the olive blazer by fabric and season: linen in early fall, a wool blend once the mornings get cold. I always put a cream or ivory silk blouse between the two colors, since olive directly against burgundy at the collar can look muddy on paler skin. Burgundy trousers with a straight or slightly tapered leg keep the line clean, and beige or tan pointed pumps lengthen the leg without adding a third strong color. A burgundy leather crossbody and small gold pieces finish it; gold sits better than silver against both of these warm, muted shades.
2. Burgundy sweater with olive cargo pants outfit
Saturday coffee, a casual lunch or a long travel day: this is my default weekend formula in these colors. The sweater matters most. An oversized burgundy crewneck or V-neck in a cotton or cashmere blend drapes without clinging, while a stiff acrylic knit will stand away from the body and look bulky over cargo pockets. Front-tuck just the hem into relaxed olive cargos so your waist still shows. White leather sneakers, a beige canvas tote and slim gold hoops keep it light. On a cold morning I add a cream long-sleeve tee underneath and let the collar peek out, which also stops a scratchy knit sitting on your neck.
3. Olive trench coat with burgundy ankle boots outfit
Here the boots do the talking. Pick an olive trench in cotton or gabardine that ends just below the knee, with a self-tie belt you can knot at the waist rather than buckle, which always looks stiffer. Underneath, a cream turtleneck and dark straight-leg jeans give a quiet base. Then come the burgundy ankle boots with a stacked block heel; the eye drops straight to them. Suede gives a richer color but darkens and spots in rain, so if your trench is doing actual rain duty, choose smooth leather. A burgundy structured bag and a silk scarf in both colors, at the neck or on the bag handle, tie the top half back to the feet.
4. Burgundy midi dress with olive jacket outfit
A burgundy midi in satin or crepe is the base, ideally with a V-neck and an empire line or waist tie so the shape stays defined under a jacket. Satin catches light and shows every crease, so I steam it right before wearing; crepe forgives more. Over it goes an olive utility jacket or a cropped olive bomber that stops at the natural waist. The cropped length is the point: a hip-length jacket over a midi cuts you in the least flattering place. Strappy burgundy heeled sandals work on warm days, closed burgundy pumps once it cools. A small olive crossbody and fine layered gold chains are enough.
5. Olive knit sweater with burgundy midi skirt outfit
Soft knit against a fluid skirt is the contrast that makes this one work. I look for a fine-gauge olive sweater, slim or with a slight balloon sleeve, because a chunky knit tucked into a satin or pleated burgundy midi creates a lump right at the waistband. A full tuck or a front half-tuck both work; the half-tuck lands best at the hip bone, not further down. Burgundy ballet flats or low block-heel mules keep it wearable for a full day. If the sweater blouses over the skirt, a slim burgundy belt tidies the join. Finish with a beige clutch or top-handle bag and small gold studs.
6. Burgundy blazer with olive wide leg pants outfit
Swapping a black blazer for burgundy changes the whole mood without changing the outfit's formality. I prefer it slightly oversized and double-breasted in crepe or light wool, since burgundy in a stiff, shiny fabric can read like a costume jacket. A plain white fitted tee or tank goes underneath. The olive wide-leg pants should be high-waisted with front pleats and long enough to graze the floor in the shoes you'll actually wear, so hem them with the heels on. Pointed black or beige heels just showing at the hem add length. An olive structured bag and a skinny burgundy belt connect the top half to the bottom.
7. Olive jumpsuit with burgundy heels outfit
One piece, one decision, and it still looks planned. Choose a sleeveless or short-sleeved olive jumpsuit in crepe or jersey with a defined waist, from a self-tie belt or elastic. Check the torso length before anything else: if the crotch pulls when you sit, no styling will fix it, and long-waisted women often need to size up or look for a tall cut. A wide or tapered leg should stop at or just above the ankle so the burgundy shoes show, whether pointed stilettos or block-heel sandals. A burgundy clutch and statement earrings carry the second color, and a cropped olive jacket or cream blazer on the shoulders covers you for dinner later.
8. Burgundy turtleneck with olive tailored trousers outfit
For cold days that still need to look sharp, a burgundy turtleneck in a fine rib does more than people expect. Fine ribs lie flat under a tuck; chunkier ribs add bulk at the waist, and cheaper blends pill at the underarms and wrists where they rub. Tuck it smoothly into high-waisted olive trousers with a straight or slightly cropped leg. Burgundy loafers or pointed flats repeat the top and close the look at the feet. A solid turtleneck can feel like a block under the chin, so I break it with a long gold pendant that draws a vertical line down the body. An olive leather tote and a simple gold watch take it from office to an evening reservation.
9. Olive cardigan with burgundy slip dress outfit
The contrast between slippery satin and a soft knit is what makes this layering read as deliberate. Pick a midi burgundy slip dress cut on the bias, which means it drapes and moves with the body instead of hanging straight; that also means it shows every line underneath, so plan smooth, line-free underwear. Over it, wear a slightly oversized olive cardigan, either chunky or fine merino, unbuttoned so the dress shows down the center. Chunky knits snag on satin, so I'd go merino if the dress is delicate. Burgundy heeled mules or strappy sandals keep it dressy, and a burgundy mini bag with a thin gold anklet adds a small detail at the feet.
10. Burgundy wool coat with olive scarf outfit
A burgundy coat is the most useful color coat I know for winter, because it warms the face on gray days in a way black never will. Go knee-length, wrap or single-breasted, in heavy wool or a high-wool blend; a coat under about half wool tends to pill along the sleeves and lose its shape. Wrap an olive chunky knit scarf around your neck and either let the ends fall or tuck them into the coat. Keep the base neutral: a cream or beige sweater, straight-leg jeans and black leather ankle boots. An olive leather tote and burgundy gloves finish the color story while keeping you warm at a weekend market or a long walk.
11. Olive utility jacket with burgundy jeans outfit
This one is hard to get wrong. Choose an olive utility jacket in cotton or twill with four front pockets and a slightly boxy shape, then roll the sleeves once or twice so it looks lived-in. A white or cream tee goes underneath, tucked loosely into high-rise burgundy jeans in a straight or skinny cut. Colored denim fades faster than blue, so I wash burgundy jeans inside out in cold water to keep the depth. White leather sneakers keep it casual; tan suede ankle boots make it a little smarter. Add a burgundy canvas backpack or crossbody and tortoiseshell sunglasses for weekend errands.
12. Burgundy maxi dress with olive strappy sandals outfit
For warm evenings, let the dress be burgundy and bring olive in only at the feet. A burgundy maxi in chiffon or rayon, with a wrap shape or smocked bodice, moves well and keeps you cool. Rayon wrinkles fast and can shrink if you wash it warm, so treat it gently. Olive flat strappy sandals or low olive slides ground the long line in an unexpected way, and an olive woven bucket bag or rattan clutch carries the color up. Keep jewelry to gold hoops and a cuff. Pack a light olive linen shawl or overshirt for when the air cools at an outdoor dinner or garden party.
13. Olive pantsuit with burgundy handbag outfit
An olive suit is a softer way into tailoring than navy or charcoal, and the burgundy bag keeps it from looking corporate. Go for a relaxed single-breasted blazer with matching straight or slightly cropped trousers in crepe or light wool. The detail I care about most sits under the jacket: a burgundy silk cami or fitted short-sleeve knit, so a strip of deep red shows down the open front. Beige or nude pointed pumps keep the focus on the suit. Pick a structured burgundy leather bag with minimal hardware, then a thin gold chain and small knot earrings.
14. Burgundy leather pants with olive cable knit sweater outfit
Leather against a cable knit is a texture pairing more than a color one, and that's why it feels rich. Go for high-waisted burgundy leather or faux leather pants in a straight or slim cut. Faux leather doesn't breathe, so I wouldn't pick it for a long day in a warm room, and it will crease at the knees over time. Tuck in an olive chunky cable crewneck that reaches the hip; a front tuck stops the bulk from swallowing the waist. Black heeled ankle boots or burgundy pointed pumps lengthen the leg. A burgundy quilted shoulder bag and subtle gold jewelry keep it polished enough for dinner or a date.
15. Olive pullover with burgundy boots and straight leg jeans outfit
This is the repeatable outfit you'll wear every week if you own the right boots. A mid-weight olive crewneck or half-zip in cotton, merino or cashmere, relaxed but neat enough to tuck, goes with medium or dark straight-leg jeans. Then the burgundy: leather ankle boots or burgundy Chelsea boots. Check where your jean hem lands on the boot; a straight leg should just touch the top of the shaft or break slightly over it, not bunch. Carry an olive canvas tote or burgundy leather crossbody, and if you want color near the face, a burgundy beanie or cap repeats the boots.
16. Burgundy satin blouse with olive trousers outfit
Satin gives sheen, the trousers stay matte, and the difference between them is what looks expensive. For dinner, an evening event or a dressier office day, find a burgundy satin blouse with a soft bow, a gentle puff sleeve or a relaxed camp collar. Polyester satin shows sweat marks under the arms quickly, so I lean toward silk or a heavier satin for long evenings. Tuck it fully into high-waisted olive trousers in a wide or straight leg. Burgundy heeled sandals or pointed pumps repeat the blouse at the feet. A burgundy velvet clutch and drop earrings suit evening; a structured olive tote suits daytime.
17. Olive sheath dress with burgundy blazer outfit
A sheath dress only looks sharp if it skims, so start with a knee-length olive one in ponte or stretch crepe, which holds its shape better than jersey and doesn't cling. Over it, a tailored burgundy blazer with defined shoulders and a single button, worn open. I check the blazer hem against the dress: it should end at or just below the hip, never at the same line as a seam on the dress. Nude or blush pointed pumps add length without a third strong color. A structured burgundy top-handle bag with gold hardware and a pendant sitting just above the neckline finish it for a presentation or drinks after work.
18. Burgundy leggings with olive oversized tunic sweater outfit
On days that are all comfort, this keeps you looking dressed. The leggings need weight: thick ponte or faux leather in burgundy with a high waistband, because thin leggings show every line and go shiny at the knees. The olive tunic sweater should cover the hip fully, and side slits, a cowl neck or a high-low hem give it shape. Burgundy suede over-the-knee boots or ankle boots keep the leg line long. Over-the-knee boots look best when only a short gap of legging shows above them. Add an olive quilted vest or puffer outdoors, a burgundy slouchy beanie and an olive tote for school runs or travel days.
19. Olive corduroy pants with burgundy roll neck outfit
Olive corduroy pants with a burgundy roll neck is the most autumnal combination in this list, purely because of texture. Wide-leg or straight, high-waisted corduroy adds warmth that flat trousers can't, though wide wale adds visual bulk at the hips, so narrower wale suits most people better. Tuck in a fitted burgundy roll neck for a clean line from shoulder to waist. A tan or cognac belt bridges the two colors at the waist. Burgundy leather loafers or suede block-heel pumps finish the feet, then a burgundy saddle bag and tortoiseshell hoops give it a slightly vintage feel.
20. Burgundy pencil skirt with olive crewneck sweater outfit
Office classics in a fresh color: a knee-length burgundy pencil skirt in knit or ponte, close at the hips, with a back slit so you can walk and climb stairs. Tuck in a fine-gauge olive crewneck. If the sweater is loose, a thin burgundy or tan belt at the waist cleans up the tuck. I'd steer away from this pairing on very curvy hips only if the skirt is unlined knit, which can catch and ride up; a lined ponte skirt sits smoother. Burgundy pointed kitten heels or ballet flats keep it comfortable all day. An olive structured tote and a delicate gold watch round it off.
21. Olive quilted jacket with burgundy scarf and boots outfit
Practical for raw days, and it still looks thought through. The jacket is an olive quilted barn-jacket style with a corduroy collar and snap front, light enough to layer and warm enough for wind. I put the burgundy right at the face with an oversized wool or cashmere scarf wrapped loosely, ends hanging down the front. Underneath, a cream thermal top and dark skinny or straight jeans. Burgundy leather combat boots or lace-up hiking-style boots handle mud and wet grass better than suede would. An olive crossbody keeps your hands free, and a burgundy beanie repeats the scarf.
22. Burgundy two-piece set with olive accessories outfit
Matching sets make color easy because one decision covers your whole body. The burgundy set could be a knit top and midi skirt, a crop top with high-waisted wide-leg pants, or a blazer with shorts; pick the shape you'd wear on its own. Let burgundy dominate, then bring olive in only through accessories: a woven clutch or small leather bag, strappy heeled sandals or mules, and drop earrings or a beaded bracelet. Two or three olive accents are plenty; five starts to look matched on purpose. Oversized gold sunglasses finish it for a brunch, an event or a vacation evening.
23. Olive joggers with burgundy sneakers outfit
Errands and school pickups are where this earns its place. Olive joggers in cotton or French terry with a tapered leg and elastic cuffs look tidy rather than sloppy, as long as the cuff sits right at the ankle bone instead of bunching on the shoe. Up top, a white or cream relaxed sweatshirt, or a burgundy cropped hoodie that matches the shoes. The shoes carry the color: retro burgundy running shoes, canvas trainers or burgundy slip-on sneakers. An olive puffer vest adds warmth over the sweatshirt, and a burgundy nylon belt bag worn crossbody or an olive backpack keeps your hands free.
24. Burgundy sweater vest with olive pleated trousers outfit
Preppy layering in muted color reads smart rather than schoolish. Start with a white or cream collared shirt, sleeves rolled to just below the elbow, and layer a close-fitting burgundy V-neck sweater vest over it. The vest should end at the high hip; any longer and it fights the high trouser waist. Tuck the shirt into olive pleated wide-leg trousers with a fluid drape. Burgundy loafers or burgundy oxford shoes give a menswear finish. An olive structured satchel and a burgundy silk pocket square tucked into the waistband are the small personal details that suit a creative office or a gallery opening.
25. Olive overcoat with burgundy leather knee high boots outfit
The last look is my favorite for real winter. A longline olive wool overcoat with notch lapels and a relaxed fit, worn open, frames whatever sits underneath: a burgundy midi sweater dress, or a cream turtleneck tucked into a burgundy knit midi skirt for a continuous column of color. Burgundy leather knee-high boots with a pointed toe and a manageable block heel are the statement. The skirt hem should overlap the boot shaft so no leg shows between them in cold weather. Carry an olive structured bag or burgundy top-handle bag, add burgundy leather gloves and simple gold jewelry, and you're dressed for a city day.
Splitting the Outfit Seventy, Twenty, Ten
When a two-color outfit looks off, it's usually because the colors take up equal space and the eye doesn't know where to land. The split I use for nearly every look above is roughly seventy percent of one color or neutral, twenty percent of the second color, and ten percent for a bridge like gold, tan or cream.
Building it from what you already own
- Start with the biggest piece you own in either color, usually a coat, trousers or a dress. That becomes the lead.
- Add the second color in one or two places only: shoes and bag, or a scarf and boots. Placing it at both ends of the body, near the face and at the feet, makes the outfit feel connected.
- Use a neutral layer where the two colors would otherwise touch, like a cream blouse under an olive blazer with burgundy trousers.
- Keep metals consistent. Gold and brass suit both of these warm, muted shades better than bright silver.
Going fully head to toe in these two colors can look heavy in winter light. If you want to try it, use texture to separate them, such as a matte knit against shiny leather, so each piece reads on its own instead of blending into one dark block.
Let One Color Lead and the Other Follow
These two shades stay current because they're quiet: olive grounds burgundy, and burgundy gives olive some warmth. The rule I come back to in every one of these outfits is balance. Let one color take most of the space, let the other appear in one or two places, and use cream, beige or tan as the bridge between them. Start with the one piece you'd wear most, whether that's burgundy ankle boots, an olive utility jacket or a burgundy knit, and build the next outfit from what it already goes with.
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