Burgundy Tuxedos: Who They Suit and When to Wear Them

A burgundy tuxedo suits most gentlemen, provided you choose the right depth and the right cloth. It is a deep red with a touch of brown, named after the red wines of France's Burgundy region: warm enough not to feel cold the way midnight blue can, quiet enough not to shout the way bright red does. It is the colour of evenings with candles, a glass of wine and lamplight.

Which shade is burgundy

Burgundy is a dark red leaning slightly brown or purple, sitting between red and reddish-brown. Under low light it looks almost black-red, deep and glossy. Only in daylight does the red come through clearly.

In the Burgundy & jewel tones collection, burgundy is a familiar colour for evening jackets and velvet smoking jackets for men. In strict black tie, though, it is still a variant, not a base colour like black or midnight blue. So burgundy belongs to events that allow some creativity.

Who it suits

Burgundy is forgiving. A few notes by skin tone, offered as a guide:

• Deeper, brown skin: the dark red blends with the complexion for a warm, authoritative look.
• Fair or pink skin: burgundy contrasts clearly and makes the skin look clean and bright. If the skin is very fair, choose a deep burgundy over a bright red so the red does not push onto the face.
• Neutral olive skin: prefer a burgundy with more brown than purple.

On build, dark colour slims the figure. A fuller man can choose burgundy with black satin lapels to pull the eye along the vertical. The final rule is still to try it on, since every complexion differs.

When it looks right

1. Cold-season weddings: where winters exist, or at a cool, air-conditioned venue, burgundy suits a setting of candles, red flowers and dark wood.
2. Christmas and year-end parties: wine red brings festive atmosphere without extra decoration.
3. Galas, evening conferences and arts events: the depth of burgundy keeps things dignified.
4. A groom who wants to be different: the groom in a wine-red tuxedo covers this choice on its own.

If the invitation states strict black tie, choose black or midnight blue and keep burgundy for events that allow more personality.

Velvet or plain cloth

This is the biggest decision with burgundy, since the same colour gives two different looks in two cloths.

Velvet. The surface is smooth, absorbs light and shifts shade with the angle: darker where you see it side-on, brighter where it meets the lamp. Very luxurious and very "party season". Two real models take this route: TUX-097, a burgundy with a soft, velvet-like surface, black satin peak lapels, one button and satin-striped trousers; and TUX-131, a wine-red velvet tuxedo with black satin peak lapels and one button. The drawback of velvet is weight and warmth, which can feel hot in Ho Chi Minh City weather, so wear it in air-conditioned rooms and choose a light lining. Read more in the velvet tuxedo jacket.

Plain cloth (wool or wool blend). Lighter and more breathable, with less colour shift and less sensitivity to weather and occasion. TUX-026 goes in the classic direction: a deep wine shade, broad black satin peak lapels and a pocket square in a brown-purple pattern as the accent. It suits a man who needs a suit he can wear many times.

A quick guide: if the suit is for one specific evening in a cool venue, velvet is worth it. If you want to wear it often, in a hot climate, choose plain cloth.

Pairing it correctly

• Black satin lapels and a black bow tie keep burgundy within the frame of black tie.
• A white or ivory shirt with a piqué or pleated front, with cufflinks in soft gold or onyx.
• Black trousers with a satin stripe, and black patent shoes or black velvet slippers.
• Avoid piling on more colours. A pocket square in brown-purple, as on TUX-026, is already enough.

A more detailed approach appears in styling a wine-red tuxedo.

From the Mon Amie workshop

Burgundy looks very different in a photograph and in real cloth, especially in velvet. Visit a showroom to see the cloth directly and try both fabrics to feel the weight. The tailor will measure you, advise on lining and give the specific making time. Book a fitting.