Bridlen offers one of the most extensive selections of burgundy footwear I have seen from a shoe brand. And when I say burgundy, I mean true, reddish burgundy — not the very dark shades that sometimes get called Merlot, Bordeaux, oxblood, or simply burgundy.

I mean a proper, medium-to-light burgundy that is unmistakably red in character.

Burgundy is one of those colors that everybody seems to love admiring, yet many men find difficult to actually wear. And I don’t think that is because burgundy isn’t versatile. Quite the opposite. The problem is that a lighter shade of burgundy can be bold.

It attracts the eye. It gets attention.

A lot of guys love the idea of a beautiful burgundy shoe, but when it comes time to actually put one underneath a suit or pair of trousers, suddenly that attention can feel a little intimidating.

Bridlen’s Take on Burgundy

I have been seeing a lot of Bridlen’s burgundy shoes lately and admiring not only how many models they offer in the color, but also how the shades can vary from pair to pair.

The core Bridlen burgundy tends to sit somewhere in the middle. It is unmistakably burgundy without veering too dark, but it also doesn’t become a bright cherry red.

From what I understand, the color is created through the finishing process rather than simply being a completely uniform box calf. That naturally means you can get some variation between pairs. Some come out slightly darker, while others appear lighter and more vivid. Of course, the Museum calf and the Cordovan pairs will be their own unique shades, but moreso what I am referring to is their standard ‘burgundy’ color.

Bridlen also tends to apply quite a substantial polish to many of its shoes, often using darker polish that tones down the burgundy underneath. The result can be a very rich color with a lot more depth than a flat burgundy leather.

And personally, I think that is part of what makes burgundy so beautiful.

More Than Just One Burgundy Shoe

What really impresses me, though, is the sheer number of models Bridlen has produced in burgundy and has catalogued, availble for order.

Look through Bridlen’s various collections and models of penny loafers, semi-brogues, Oxfords, Derbies, boots, and other classic models, and you will continually find burgundy versions available, whether as ready-to-wear shoes, made-to-order options, or their Cordovan collection.

Bridlen doesn’t really have a dedicated “burgundy collection” on its website. But search for burgundy, and you will find upwards of 35 different options and examples. (Techically it says 49 as a result, but many of those are not actually burgundy)

That is quite substantial for a shoe brand. Of course, many manufacturers technically offer burgundy through their MTO programs. If a leather is available, you can theoretically order any number of models in that color.

But that is different from actually being able to see the shoes.

Bridlen has made and cataloged so many of its models in burgundy that you can see what a burgundy Oxford looks like, what a burgundy penny loafer looks like, what a burgundy Derby looks like, and so on.

For someone considering the color but unsure how it will translate onto a particular style, that makes a difference. Albeit with AI nowadays, you can use a photo similator to help you understand better. But of course, that won’t produce the exact shade, only allow for

Burgundy Shoes Are More Versatile Than People Think

As longtime readers will know, I have always loved burgundy shoes.

When I had my own shoe brand, I sold quite a lot of burgundy over the years. At certain points, one of my most popular models was actually a burgundy Oxford.

The popularity would come and go in waves. Sometimes burgundy would sell extremely well, then demand would slow down, and I would eventually remove a model from the collection. But I always appreciated a beautiful, highly polished burgundy shoe.

There is just something striking about it. It was vivid and commanded attention, and often respect.

More importantly, I think burgundy is far more versatile than people give it credit for. It works with a wide variety of trouser colors and can occupy an interesting space between brown and something more expressive.

Yet it remains one of the more underrated colors in classic footwear.

Keeping Burgundy Dress Shoes Alive

The footwear market has changed considerably over the years. Many brands understandably stick to what sells most consistently: black, dark brown, perhaps some tan. Others are increasingly focused on sneakers, casual footwear, and soft-soled loafers.

And then you have Bridlen quietly offering a huge variety of proper burgundy leather dress shoes. I appreciate that and the fact that they are sticking to their guns with a proper leather soled dress shoe collection. Not easy in today’s age and I believe is helping in their rise in popularity.

I also appreciate seeing that people are actually ordering burgundy shoes from Bridlen. It shows the color is still sought after!

Burgundy will probably never be the safest choice. Put a beautiful reddish-burgundy shoe underneath a suit, and people are going to notice it. That alone will make some men hesitant.

But for those of us who appreciate the color, that is precisely part of its appeal.

So, if you are a burgundy lover and have been looking for a burgundy loafer, Oxford, Derby, or boot, Bridlen should definitely be on your radar. Few brands make it so easy to see just how many classic shoe styles can work in this beautiful and often overlooked color.

As many of you know, I also carry Bridlen shoes at The Shoe Snob Shop, with my primary focus being the U.S. market and U.S. customers. So if you are in the States and have questions about Bridlen, sizing, models, or availability, you can always reach out to me through the shop.

For international customers, you can also browse Bridlen’s collection directly through their website.

Long live burgundy shoes.

—Justin FitzPatrick, The Shoe Snob

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