Burgundy tights outfits: six ways to wear the colour of the season, from the influencers who do it best

Burgundy is the tights colour of this autumn, and the reason is simple: it is the only colour that behaves like a neutral. From a distance it reads as dark, almost black; up close it is wine. That is why it goes with nearly everything you already wear in winter. To show how, we took six looks from the influencers who wear it best on Instagram and Pinterest and recreated them on Ava, our AI-generated model. Under each one is the original post that inspired it.

A note on Ava first: she is not a real person. She is a model created with AI to show outfits, always with the same face, and you can find her on Instagram as @avaborromini. The six influencers are real, and their posts are theirs.

The rule: dark around it, opaque on the leg

Burgundy wants a calm frame. Black, grey and camel make it look rich; navy makes it cooler. What it does not want is another strong red next to it. As for thickness, burgundy looks best opaque, between 50 and 80 denier: the colour is full and matte. Below 40 denier the skin shows through and the wine turns pinkish. The full scale is in our denier guide. If you prefer a brighter shade, our red tights guide covers it.

With an oversized black blazer: Paris, flats

Oversized black blazer, black mini, burgundy tights, black shoes. AI-generated image, not a real model.

The simplest way in: everything black, the colour only on the legs. The blazer is long enough to almost cover the mini skirt, so the burgundy runs from the hem to the shoe. A scarf tied to the bag strap is the only accessory. The idea comes from @taina.csg, who wore it with flat black shoes in Paris.

With a long black coat: beret and matching bag

Long black coat, black knit dress, burgundy beret and bag, burgundy tights, black loafers. AI-generated image, not a real model.

Here the burgundy appears three times: beret, bag, tights. It works because the three are the same shade and everything else is black. The look comes from @solene.gisele, who in her post credits the tights to Calzedonia and the coat and bag to Vanessa Bruno.

With grey: chunky mohair and a pleated mini

Light-grey mohair jumper, grey pleated mini, burgundy tights, black slingbacks. AI-generated image, not a real model.

Grey is the neutral that makes burgundy softer and more daytime. An oversized jumper that almost hides the skirt, a pleated mini peeking out, and the legs do the rest. It is the outfit of the most-saved burgundy tights pin on Pinterest, and of @erica.lynn.ramos, who wrote that tights under $20 are "an easy way to incorporate the seasons hottest color".

With a grey coat: black knee boots

Grey coat, black turtleneck and skirt, burgundy tights, black knee-high boots. AI-generated image, not a real model.

With knee-high boots, the burgundy shows only between hem and boot: the most discreet version, and the warmest. Pointed boots with a slim heel keep it sharp rather than casual. The model for this one is @lucygrassso, in a grey coat with wide sleeves.

In lace: black blazer, at the café

Black blazer, short black dress, burgundy floral lace tights, black stilettos. AI-generated image, not a real model.

Burgundy lace is the evening version: the pattern lets the skin through, so the colour is lighter and the leg more decorated. It wants a plain black frame and a pointed stiletto. It is the most-liked look in our search, worn by @elisalevallois at a café table and by @paulinawilltravel for a night out in New York with a Saint Laurent blazer, tagging Swedish Stockings. More ideas in our lace tights guide.

For the evening: black velvet

Black velvet dress, burgundy tights, black patent stilettos. AI-generated image, not a real model.

Velvet and burgundy share the same depth, which is why they look made for each other. A simple black velvet dress, burgundy tights and black patent pumps: the outfit for a dinner, or for the holidays. The idea comes from @rachelliwein.

Shoes: what works

• Black (pumps, loafers, ballet flats, knee boots): the right choice nine times out of ten.
• Burgundy in the same shade: lengthens the leg; only if it really matches.
• Patent: shines next to the matte tights, good for the evening.
• Brown and cognac: only if they repeat a brown piece in the outfit.

Mistakes to avoid

• Sheer burgundy: under 40 denier it turns pink. Go opaque.
• Burgundy with bright red: two different reds look like a mistake.
• Light shoes: white or beige cut the leg and make the burgundy look heavy.
• Too many burgundy pieces in different shades: one, two or three accessories are fine only if they are the same wine.

The photos

The outfit photos are AI-generated images: Ava is not a real model; Tights and the City created her to show outfits, and she is always the same. Each look is inspired by an influencer's Instagram post, embedded with Instagram's official tool under the photo and credited in the references. The tights under "Where to find them" are similar in colour, not the ones in the photos.

Black around it, wine on the leg: burgundy is the colour that turns a winter uniform into an outfit.