Burgundy or Maroon?

Beautiful BURGUNDY is really on trend again this Fall and you'll find many different shades in the stores!

Although the word BURGUNDY is used, many of them will actually be MAROON! This is very confusing when you obviously want to find the one that looks the best on YOU!

BURGUNDY is actually COOL and yet it's used generically to cover lots of different shades. The WARM version is really called MAROON and there is a distinct difference between the two.

Kellyann (left) from thisblondesshoppingbag.com encountered this problem. She has a Cool undertone to her skin and ordered the moto jacket in 'burgundy' but she didn't like the color. Consulting her color swatch she realized she had the wrong shade, second time around she looks amazing! 

Discovering your color palette will save you time and money!

Autumn or Winter - but something for everyone!

Burgundy or Maroon are both fabulous colors and it's worth taking a little time to discover the best one for you. 

The undertone of your skin will always look healthier and more attractive when you echo it with a harmonious color tone. Decide whether you're Warm or Cool and you'll find it easy to choose the most flattering shade for yourself.  

Many burgundies will look great on both Warm and Cool complexions but if a color leans too heavily one way or another it may cause you a problem. So let me explain the difference. 

Identify Burgundy or Maroon

Red is a primary color with no undertone, but when it's influenced by another color it becomes Warm or Cool.

When Purple (Cool) is added to Red it becomes BURGUNDY and is COOL. 

• BURGUNDY is a dull purplish red taking it's name from the color of the wine produced in the Burgundy region of France. Other names; wine, claret, bordeaux, grape, damson, are often used and follow the wine connection.

When Brown (Warm) is added to Red it becomes MAROON and is WARM.

• MAROON is a rich browny toned red taken from the French word 'marron' for chestnut - the rich reddish brown chestnuts and conkers we enjoy in the Fall.  
  

So what's the difference?

Once you put these colors together you'll see a big difference and, fortunately, once you know what to look for it's so much easier to choose between the two. 

Use your Color Swatch as a 'blending tool' on any fabric or garment and see whether the two 'sit' happily together.

Alternatively, if you are not sure about the color you are choosing, look around at several different shades in this color range and the purple tones or brown tones will identify themselves when you put them next to each other

Cool colors: pleated knit; sequin dress  Warm colors: sequin bodice; embroidered dress 

Most will blend easily with either palette...

Of course I'm showing you the extremes and it's really easy to see the difference between a Cool shade and a Warm shade. It's not necessary to match a shade exactly but it is easier if you know what you're looking for. 

Many so-called 'burgundy shades' will blend easily with either color palette and look amazing.  If you have no problems it's not essential to distinguish between the two.    

Take your time, only if it's obvious that this is not your best need you bother - and I've done my job!   

For some great inspiration check out 30 ways to wear Burgundy!