It sounds like you have done fabulouosly by pairing the combo with pearls and cream. I think the black and burgundy combo is only too dark if those are the only colors you have in the whole outfit.

Your outfit sounds lovely for sure. Have you considered pairing red with brown? I think it's such a rich, less harsh (typically) pairing than black and red.

Sarah, I don't own a lot of brown because it's such a difficult shade for me to picture. But yes, I have worn that combo in the past (usually a red top with brown pants).

This is tough, Michelle. I'm thinking about my own closet. I wish I could share the pics with you. I have:

1) A knit burgundy cowl neck - which I never pair with black. I love it with cream, tan/khaki and with brown. It is too dark to go with black and looks "off" that way.

2) A silk burgundy blouse - which has black rosette detailing at the neckline. I routinely pair this with black. Yes, it is dark. A string of pearls offsets this. (I also, just yesterday, discovered I could pair this with gray pants and a burgundy tweed jacket that is a direct match).

3) Burgundy leather boots - which I do pair with black skirts and dresses. I think this works because of the contrast of textures.

4) Cranberry tops of various materials - don't own anything in this color at the moment, because I overdosed on it awhile back. I would absolutely pair this with black. Cranberry, like burgundy, is a blue-red, but the intensity is different. Cranberry is brighter and not as muted.

5) True red - which is even brighter than cranberry. This is in the category of the color of the lipstick you wear, which I love on you so much. True red can be an orange-red (tomato - Angie wears this color a lot) or more of a blue-red (the color of a crayon that is labeled red, or a stopsign ;-). It is BOLD. I would and do wear this color with black.

"Not a color expert"

Can't be sure without a picture but sounds ok to me as you have on light trousers and the pearls to lift the darkness of the other pieces. Do you perhaps have a cream bag which you could swap the black one for? x

Michelle, it sounds OK to me. Personally I like the combination of red and black, it's a fun contrast.

Michelle, your outfit sounds great to me. I think the "rule" is to add another neutral to the combination. Cream sounds like a perfect addition.

Marianne said what I was going to say. I always offset black and a colour with white or cream somehow. You did just that!

I personally dislike black with burgundy or red (too flamenco? too harsh?) but I agree, the addition of cream/white helps

It sounds like you have a wonderful outfit with the cream and pearls added. It wouldn't seem dark at all.

I love the sound of your outfit Michelle and I have also learned from your question. Thank you.