Penny Loafers Men Burgundy Style Guide: 5 Unexpected Color Combinations That Always Work

There’s actual color theory behind why certain combinations work better than others. Burgundy functions as what designers call a “rich neutral”—it has personality but plays well with many other colors.

The reddish undertones in burgundy create warmth, while its brown aspects provide grounding. This unique characteristic allows burgundy to pair beautifully with both warm and cool colors in your wardrobe. The depth of burgundy also means it can anchor vibrant colors without being overwhelmed by them.

The key to creating unexpected yet successful combinations with burgundy comes from understanding complementary colors (those opposite on the color wheel) and analogous colors (those adjacent on the color wheel). Burgundy’s complex nature lets it work with both approaches.

Now, let’s explore five unexpected color combinations that will make your burgundy penny loafers truly shine.

When first considered, burgundy and olive green might seem like an unusual pairing—after all, they’re both rich, somewhat muted colors. Yet together, they create a sophisticated earthiness that feels both natural and distinctive.

Why this combination works:

Olive green and burgundy share a natural harmony despite being unconventional partners. Both colors have subdued personalities with depth and character. While burgundy has red undertones, olive contains subtle yellow ones, creating a complementary relationship that’s not immediately obvious but visually satisfying. This pairing evokes a refined outdoorsy aesthetic reminiscent of English country style but with a modern twist.

How to style this combination:

Casual Look

• Olive green chinos or cargo pants
• White or cream t-shirt or henley
• Navy or tan overshirt or light jacket
• Burgundy penny loafers (suede works especially well here)
• Brown leather accessories (belt, watch strap)

Smart-Casual Look

• Olive green trousers or five-pocket pants
• Light blue or white Oxford button-down shirt
• Burgundy penny loafers in polished leather
• Matching burgundy belt
• Optional: navy or brown sportcoat

For the Bold

Try a monochromatic olive green outfit (pants and shirt or lightweight sweater) with burgundy penny loafers as the standout piece. This approach creates a sophisticated color blocking effect that draws the eye to your footwear.

Seasonal considerations:

This combination shines brightest in fall and winter, when its rich earthiness complements the natural environment, but can work in spring and cooler summer days with lighter materials. For warmer months, consider lighter shades of olive to maintain the harmony without the heaviness.

At first glance, this combination might seem particularly daring—pairing a rich, deep tone like burgundy with the boldness of mustard yellow. However, these colors create a striking visual impact that’s unexpectedly harmonious.

Why this combination works:

Burgundy and mustard yellow represent a near-complementary color relationship that creates visual energy without clashing. Mustard yellow, with its slight earthiness and muted brightness, provides a perfect counterpoint to burgundy’s depth. This combination recalls vintage aesthetics but feels fresh and modern in today’s context.

How to style this combination:

Casual Weekend Look

• Dark jeans or navy chinos
• Mustard yellow sweater or sweatshirt
• Burgundy penny loafers
• Navy or gray jacket
• Brown leather accessories

Smart-Casual Look

• Navy or gray trousers
• White or light blue shirt
• Mustard yellow vest or cardigan
• Burgundy penny loafers in polished leather
• Matching burgundy belt and watch with brown leather strap

Subtle Approach

If a mustard yellow garment feels too bold, incorporate the color through accessories like a pocket square, scarf, or even socks peeking out above your burgundy loafers. This gives a hint of unexpected color without overwhelming your outfit.

Seasonal considerations:

This pairing works beautifully during transitional seasons—fall and spring—when its warmth and vibrancy perfectly complement the changing natural environment. In winter, mustard adds welcome brightness to often monochromatic wardrobes, while in summer, lighter materials keep the combination fresh rather than heavy.

This combination ventures into uncharted territory for many men but creates an undeniably sophisticated and eye-catching look. The deep blue-green of teal alongside the red-brown of burgundy creates rich visual interest.

Why this combination works:

Both burgundy and teal are jewel tones, giving them an inherent compatibility despite being distinct colors. Teal’s blue-green quality contrasts beautifully with burgundy’s red undertones, creating a dynamic tension that’s visually appealing. This pairing feels luxurious and confident without being flashy.

How to style this combination:

Office-Appropriate Look

• Charcoal or navy trousers
• White or light blue shirt
• Teal tie or pocket square
• Navy blazer
• Burgundy penny loafers in polished leather
• Matching burgundy belt

Smart-Casual Approach

• Dark jeans or navy chinos
• Teal sweater or knit polo
• Gray or navy jacket
• Burgundy penny loafers (suede or leather)
• Brown or burgundy leather accessories

Bold Statement

For those comfortable with stronger fashion statements, try a teal blazer or sport coat over neutral trousers with burgundy penny loafers. This creates a sophisticated color story that demonstrates style confidence.

Seasonal considerations:

This combination works year-round with slight adjustments. In summer, lighter shades of teal feel appropriately fresh, while deeper teal tones harmonize with winter’s mood. The key is adjusting the intensity and material weight according to the season while maintaining the color relationship.

This combination plays with temperature contrast—the warmth of burgundy against the coolness of light blue—creating a refreshing visual balance that works across multiple settings.

Why this combination works:

Light blue and burgundy create a pleasing temperature contrast that keeps each color distinct while forming a harmonious whole. The lightness of blue creates breathing room that complements burgundy’s depth. This combination feels simultaneously classic and contemporary, with the light blue bringing freshness to burgundy’s richness.

How to style this combination:

Casual Weekend Look

• Light blue chambray shirt
• Dark indigo or gray jeans
• Burgundy penny loafers (suede works wonderfully here)
• Optional: navy or gray chore coat or cardigan
• Brown leather belt and accessories

Business Casual Approach

• Light blue dress shirt or Oxford
• Navy, gray, or khaki trousers
• Burgundy penny loafers in polished leather
• Navy blazer (optional)
• Matching burgundy belt

Summer Variation

• Light blue linen or cotton shirt
• Stone, khaki, or off-white chinos or linen trousers
• Burgundy penny loafers
• No-show socks for a clean ankle line

Seasonal considerations:

This combination shines brightest in spring and summer, when the lightness of blue complements the season’s mood. In fall and winter, it provides a welcome brightness against typically darker wardrobes. The weight and texture of the blue fabric should adjust seasonally—from lightweight linen in summer to oxford cloth or denim in cooler months.

Perhaps the subtlest combination on our list, burgundy with sage green creates an understated sophistication that’s perfect for those who prefer quiet elegance to bold statements.

Why this combination works:

Sage green’s softness and burgundy’s richness create a beautiful contrast that’s subtle yet distinct. Both colors have a certain muted quality that allows them to complement rather than compete with each other. This pairing evokes natural harmony, combining the earthy with the refined in a way that feels organic yet intentional.

How to style this combination:

Relaxed Weekend Look

• Sage green chinos or five-pocket pants
• White, cream, or light gray t-shirt or henley
• Burgundy penny loafers (suede gives a nice textural contrast)
• Optional: navy, tan, or gray cardigan or unstructured jacket
• Brown leather accessories

Elevated Casual Look

• Sage green trousers
• White or ecru button-down shirt
• Light gray or tan sportcoat
• Burgundy penny loafers in polished leather
• Matching burgundy belt

Layered Approach

Create depth by layering different shades of sage and green with neutral basics, allowing your burgundy penny loafers to ground the outfit. This creates visual interest while maintaining the subtle sophistication of the color combination.

Seasonal considerations:

This combination works beautifully year-round, with sage green’s adaptability allowing it to feel appropriate in any season. In summer, lighter sage tones paired with burgundy create a garden-inspired freshness, while deeper sage hues complement burgundy’s richness in fall and winter.

The sock debate:

With burgundy penny loafers, you have several approaches to socks:

• Matching socks: Burgundy socks create a seamless extension of your shoes
• Contrasting socks: Bold colors or patterns can add personality (especially effective with the color combinations above)
• Neutral socks: Navy, gray, or brown provide a subtle transition
• No-show socks: Create a clean ankle line for casual summer looks
• Bare ankles: For the most casual, warm-weather settings (with no-show socks underneath)

Creating monochromatic looks:

For a sophisticated approach, try a monochromatic outfit in navy, gray, or tan with burgundy penny loafers as your sole color accent. This technique makes your shoes the focal point while maintaining an elegant simplicity in the rest of your outfit.

Pattern mixing:

When incorporating patterns with burgundy loafers and our suggested color combinations:

• Use one dominant pattern (larger scale) with one subordinate pattern (smaller scale)
• Ensure patterns contain colors from your overall palette
• Keep one element solid to provide visual rest
• Consider the scale of patterns in relation to each other

Formal vs. casual approaches:

• Formal: Opt for polished leather burgundy penny loafers with tailored trousers, dress shirts, and possibly suits for business settings
• Smart-casual: Either polished or suede burgundy loafers work with chinos, button-downs, and sportcoats
• Casual: Suede burgundy penny loafers pair naturally with jeans, chinos, and casual shirts

Seasonal transitions:

• Spring/Summer: Pair with lighter fabrics and colors; consider suede loafers for a softer look
• Fall/Winter: Combine with heavier textures like tweed, flannel, and corduroy; polished leather provides weather resistance
• Year-round: Focus on appropriate fabric weights while maintaining your chosen color combinations

To ensure your burgundy penny loafers remain a longstanding wardrobe essential, proper care is crucial:

For leather loafers:

• Clean with a damp cloth and mild soap when needed
• Apply quality burgundy/oxblood shoe cream to maintain color and hydrate leather
• Use shoe trees to maintain shape when not worn
• Allow 24 hours between wearings for leather to fully dry out
• Polish regularly for formal styles, less frequently for casual styles

For suede loafers:

• Brush regularly with a suede brush to maintain nap
• Apply suede protector when new and seasonally
• Use a suede eraser for small stains
• Keep away from excessive moisture
• For tough stains, consult a professional shoe repair service

Resoling considerations:

Quality penny loafers often feature Goodyear-welted or Blake-stitched construction, making them candidates for resoling. Consider this service when the soles show significant wear but the uppers remain in good condition. This investment extends the life of your shoes and often improves their comfort as the uppers have molded to your feet.

Burgundy penny loafers represent that rare intersection of versatility, sophistication, and timelessness in men’s footwear. By pairing them with unexpected colors like olive green, mustard yellow, teal, light blue, and sage green, you elevate them from merely nice shoes to the foundation of truly distinctive outfits.

These unexpected combinations work because they respect color theory principles while pushing slightly beyond conventional boundaries. They create visual interest without sacrificing harmony, allowing you to express personal style while maintaining sophistication.

The beauty of burgundy penny loafers lies in their adaptability—they can be the subtle finishing touch to a conservative outfit or the statement piece in a more creative ensemble. Their rich color depth interacts beautifully with both complementary and analogous colors, opening up styling possibilities beyond the traditional.

As with all worthwhile style investments, quality matters. Opt for the best burgundy penny loafers your budget allows, care for them properly, and they’ll reward you with years of versatile wear. Whether in polished leather for business settings or suede for casual occasions, these shoes prove their worth through their extraordinary range.

So next time you reach for your burgundy penny loafers, consider one of these unexpected color pairings. You might be surprised at how natural they feel and how many compliments they generate. After all, true style lies not in following every trend but in finding fresh ways to wear timeless pieces—and burgundy penny loafers with these unexpected color combinations certainly accomplish that goal.