The most beautiful way to combine navy, burgundy and chocolate brown is to pair one deep colour with a light shade such as cream or white, or to wear them tone on tone with different textures. This autumn is all about deep, grounded colours. Navy, burgundy, chocolate brown and charcoal. They feel warm and calm and go perfectly with a timeless wardrobe. Below you can read how to combine them without it becoming heavy or gloomy.
Rule 1: one deep colour, one light shade
The simplest way to keep a dark colour fresh is to combine it with a light base. Think of a burgundy knit top with cream trousers, or a navy polo with white trousers. The contrast brings calm and makes the deep colour look even better.
Rule 2: tone on tone for a refined look
Tone on tone means combining different shades of the same colour, for example light brown, taupe and chocolate. The effect is refined and considered. Work with different textures (fine knits, smooth trousers) so the look gains depth.
Rule 3: navy is the new black
Navy is softer than black and combines with almost everything: cream, white, light blue, brown and even burgundy. Navy trousers or a navy polo is therefore one of the smartest purchases for this season.
Rule 4: three colours is enough
An outfit looks calmest with three colours at most, one of which is neutral. Think burgundy, brown and cream, or navy, white and cognac. Accessories such as a belt or bag count too. That way there is always one colour that sets the tone, and the other two become the background.
Colour combinations that always work
- Navy + cream: classic and fresh, ideal for the office.
- Burgundy + black: elegant for dinner and evening.
- Chocolate brown + white: warm and modern.
- Charcoal + light blue: calm and polished, for men too.
Which colour goes with what?
| Colour | Lovely with | Better not with | Ideal for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Navy | Cream, white, light blue, brown | Black without material contrast | Office, travel |
| Burgundy | Black, brown, cream, grey | Bright red or orange | Dinner, holidays |
| Chocolate brown | White, cream, navy, burgundy | Cold grey | Weekend, lunch |
| Charcoal | Light blue, white, burgundy | Black from head to toe | Office, men |
How to wear burgundy
Burgundy is the boldest of the three colours, so ideally let it speak in one place. A burgundy top with dark trousers is a safe start. If you dare to do more, combine burgundy with brown: those two warm shades reinforce each other without shouting.
- Women, lunch in the city: the Lenora T-shirt in burgundy, fine-knit with a tweed look, with the Philippa trousers in brown. Add cream sneakers or loafers for a lighter accent.
- Evening: the same T-shirt with black trousers, gold jewellery and a dark coat.
How to wear chocolate brown
Chocolate brown is warmer than black and softer than navy. It looks best with light, warm shades such as cream and ivory. Brown trousers are a strong base: they feel less severe than black and instantly give an outfit depth. The Philippa is an ultra high-waisted style with pleats that lengthens the silhouette. For men, the Frederick in coffee brown is a pleated trouser with a brushed interior, pleasant on colder days.
How to wear navy
Navy is the colour that holds everything together. Use it as a base for colours you find more adventurous: burgundy, brown or light blue. A navy polo works equally well for men and women. The Montgomery in navy is a fluid-draping modal polo for men, and the Augusta in navy an open-knit polo in wool and cashmere for women.
Three outfits for men
- Office: navy polo, coffee-brown trousers, brown leather loafers. Warm, calm and polished.
- Dinner: charcoal knit, black trousers and a burgundy accent in a scarf or socks.
- Weekend: cream polo, brown trousers and suede sneakers. Tone on tone in warm shades.
Shoes and accessories in autumn shades
Shoes and bags finish a colour combination. With navy and brown, cognac and dark brown leather look best. With burgundy and black, choose black or dark burgundy leather. Suede adds texture and makes a tone-on-tone look less flat. Keep metal accents consistent: gold with warm shades, silver with charcoal and light blue.
Tone on tone in practice: how to start
Tone on tone sounds like something for the advanced, but it is actually one of the easiest ways to look considered. Start with two pieces in the same colour family and only then add a third.
- Choose one colour family. For example brown: from cream and camel to chocolate.
- Put the darkest shade at the bottom. Brown trousers with a lighter top give the silhouette calm and keep the look light near your face.
- Vary the texture. Combine smooth woven trousers with a fine knit or a top with a tweed look, so the shades don't blend into one another.
- Add one accent. A gold necklace, a cognac bag or a burgundy scarf finishes the whole.
Why material matters as much as colour
The same colour looks different in every material. Navy in a smooth modal polo has a soft sheen, navy in open-knit wool and cashmere looks more matte and warmer. You can use that difference: if you combine two dark shades, such as navy and black or burgundy and brown, deliberately choose two different textures. That way it stays visible that these are two colours and the combination looks intended rather than accidental. Deep colours also come across richer in fine knits, because the structure of the stitch catches light and shadow.
Shop the look
Lenora: fine-knit T-shirt, burgundy
Philippa: trousers, brown
Montgomery: polo men, navy
Frederick: trousers men, coffee brown
Augusta: wool & cashmere polo, navy
Frequently asked questions
Which colours are trendy in autumn?
Deep shades such as burgundy, chocolate brown, forest green and navy, often combined with cream and white.
Can you combine navy and black?
Yes, as long as the difference is clearly visible, for example a navy knit with black trousers. Do choose different materials then.
What colour shoes do you wear with brown trousers?
Dark brown, cognac or cream. Black is possible too, but looks harsher. With coffee-brown trousers, brown suede loafers are a calm choice.
Does burgundy suit everyone?
Burgundy is a deep, blended shade and therefore suits many skin tones. If you are unsure, wear it first as trousers or an accessory rather than close to your face.
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