How To Wear A Flannel Shirt - Style Tips For Flannels (Beyond Plaid) (2024)

Flannel shirts can be tricky when it comes to classic style. Are they appropriate? And if so, where do they fit in? You may be surprised to know that there is indeed a place in your wardrobe for the flannel shirt, and this guide will walk you through everything you need to know so that you can wear them in style.

Watch Our Guide to Flannel Shirts

Not one to be seen in sneakers and a beanie, you’d be forgiven for thinking that Preston isn’t a fan of the flannel shirt! In fact, quite the opposite. Watch our video guide, where he shows you how to look your best when you wear flannel shirts.

What Is Flannel?

Originally, the term flannel exclusively applied to a fabric that was made from carded wool; carded fabrics are brushed during the manufacturing process and retain both long and short fibers, giving them a softer feel. This is in contrast to combed fabrics, which are tightly woven together and discard the short staple fibers. Combed fabrics are going to be smoother and more formal overall, and worsted wool would be an example of this type of fabric.

These days, flannel shirts can be made from many other fabrics aside fromwool, such ascottonor even synthetics, but they’re often still carded to retain that soft & cozy texture that flannel shirts are famous for. And flannel shirts today can come in various weights and degrees of fineness, so you’ve got a multitude of options when incorporating them into your outfits.

Hallmarks of a Classic Flannel Shirt

Before we get into any specific looks, we need to cover exactly what a flannel shirt is. When you hear the term flannel shirt, it probably conjures images of a button-up shirt in aplaid or tartan pattern, with features like a button-down collar, button cuffs, and maybe some pockets. And while a pattern, particularly a check pattern like tartan, can be an important component of many flannels, the only thing that really qualifies a shirt as a flannel is thefabricit’s made from.

When it comes to looking for flannel shirts to incorporate into your classic menswear wardrobe, what should you be looking for? Your main priority should be finding shirts made from actual flannel, either in wool or cotton. So, stay away from synthetic fibers, as they aren’t going to give you the sameauthentic textureand feel.

How a Flannel Shirt Should Fit

The best flannel shirts to fit in your classic wardrobe will be those that are built and structured more like traditional dress shirts. In other words, one of the biggest things you’re going to be looking for here is length.

If you’re observing advertisem*nts for flannels that are worn untucked by all the models, chances are they’re probably going to be too short to be tucked in anyway, and this isn’t exactly the look that you’re going for. A flannel shirt should have enough length past your waist and hips so you can tuck it in comfortably; it’ll look more put together that way.

Otherwise, you want the fit of your shirt to give you breathing room without billowing. This doesn’t mean that your flannel shirt should be tight to the body, and you shouldn’t be looking for an oversized flannel shirt either. Just head for that happy middle ground to achieve the right level of comfort.

Correct Sleeve Length for a Flannel Shirt

Yes, it is possible to find short-sleeved flannel shirts, but this style doesn’t particularly endear itself in the realm of classic style. Instead, focus on finding a flannel shirt with a sleeve length similar to that of a dress shirt: long sleeves.

Of course, getting your sleeve length right is the way you’ll be able to make the best impression with your flannel shirt, and our ultimate guide to sleeve length will help you get things spot on.

Flannel Shirt Collars

If you choose to wear a buttoned shirt, the key benefit will be the collar that will frame your face. This is where other casual classics (such as the white tee) need extra support to paint you in your best light. Therefore, picking the right collar for your flannel shirt is an important decision to get right.

Perhaps the king of the collars when it comes to flannel shirts, the button-down collar ensures the points stay even, and frame your face wonderfully. Due to the softer nature of flannel, it doesn’t typically have the ability to keep itself elevated in an attractive way. This is where anchoring the points of your collar with buttons (like an OCBD shirt) creates the most elegant look.

Otherwise, a classic spread collar is another great option. This is perhaps one of the most traditional dress shirt collar styles, as it’s suited to the broadest range of face shapes. If your flannel shirt has a cutaway or spread collar style, then you’ll want to make sure you’re also using collar stays to keep things neat. Otherwise, your soft collar points are likely to collapse throughout the day.

Granted, choosing a collar style for your flannel shirt should be easy, as most ready-to-wear styles incorporate the best collar types for a flannel shirt. If you’re getting a made-to-measure or bespoke flannel shirt, you’ll need to pay closer attention to the style you choose.

Additional Details for Your Flannel Shirt

While it’s entirely possible to wear a flannel shirt with additional details such as double chest pockets, these extra pieces will reduce the overall formality of your shirt.

If you prefer a more dressed-up look, avoid overly casual details like flapped pockets, snaps, or contrast stitching. This is just going to make your flannel look more like workwear than something that can truly be incorporated into the classic men’s style canon.

Classic Flannel Shirt Patterns

While any shirt that’s made from flannel can necessarily be referred to as such, there are still many people who would consider thetartan patternto be an almost mandatory component.But there is a multitude of patterns available to you, so it’s important to choose your pattern carefully.

Checks Are King

Without a doubt, the most popular style of pattern for a flannel shirt is the check. Pretty much any variety of checked patterns can be applied to a flannel shirt, but some of the classic styles such as grids, windowpanes, and tartans work best. After all, there’s something quite appealing about the nature of a plaid flannel shirt.

For the best results, look toward medium- to small-scale check patterns or tartans, in particular. These patterns will tone down the boldness of the shirt itself and therefore make it more versatile. Keep in mind thatstriped patternsor patchwork checks are going to be louder and less multipurpose and are, therefore, better avoided.

Multiple Colors

Often, patterns that featurethree or more colorsare actually going to be less bold than patterns that only feature two colors, because these two-color patterns will often try to incorporate high contrast, something that is necessarily bolder.

We’d suggest that you try to steer clear of high-contrastpatterns and colors, such as black and white together; opposite colors on the color wheel, likegreenandpurplein bold and bright shades; or something very dark, likenavy blueagainst something very bright likeyellow.

Focus on Texture

You could opt for a solid flannel to be maximally versatile in pairing with different garments. And just as you should be choosing your patterns carefully, so too should you give a careful eye tocolor. Essentially, analogous colors or muted andneutralhues are going to be your best choices here.

By choosing a plain flannel shirt, you’ll let the texture of the fabric do the speaking. This can be an excellent way to get the balance right between dressy and casual.

How to Wear a Flannel Shirt

Keep in mind that in the world of classic style, flannel shirts are a slightly bolder look. By employing the tips we outlined above, you can tamp down some of that boldness a bit, and thus make the flannels more versatile. Here, our suggestions on incorporating flannel shirts into your closet are bound to inspire some outfit ideas!

Pair a Flannel Shirt with a Sports Jacket

Simply put, flannel shirts are great forlayering. In the realm of classic menswear, there’s arguably no other casual garment that’s as versatile as an odd jacket. Asports jacket or blazerin a more casualweave, pattern, or color will be the easiest way you can elevate the look of your flannel shirt.

Since the patterns of flannels are typically larger and a bit bolder than most other garments, you should keep your patterns to a minimum in thejacketsthat you’re layering on top of them. Of course, if you’re wearing a solid-colored flannel shirt, you’ve got a bit more liberty in how you incorporate patterns.

Overall, make sure that things are working harmoniously, and if you’re wearing multiple patterns, that they’re incorporated at slightly different scales that look pleasing to the eye.

Wear Knitwear with a Flannel Shirt

To reduce the formality a notch, a great blazer substitute would be a cardigan. Easy to slip over your flannel shirt, and buttoning with a pleasing V shape that will allow your shirt collar to pop, you can find out more about the benefits of incorporating cardigans into your wardrobe in our dedicated guide.

Sweaters are another great option for pairing with flannel shirts. While there are many different styles available, it’s generally best to avoid crew necks, and instead, look for a V-neck sweater. Much like a cardigan or sports jacket, the V shape won’t constrict your shirt’s collar, meaning you simply need to pull on your sweater and go about your day without having to re-adjust your outfit.

Due to the casual nature of flannel shirts, you’ll be better served by avoiding flat, plain knits. These are great for dressier outfits, but a flannel shirt requires something a little more relaxed. Look for interesting weaves, such as a basket or cable knit sweater, which will match the formality of your flannel shirt perfectly.

The Best Pants to Wear with a Flannel Shirt

As far as pants are concerned, you’ve got a number of options here. You can pair flannels with anything from denim to corduroys to odd trousers. As a general rule, keep the colors harmonious, and the fit classic. Therefore, it should go without saying to skip the black jeans!

Bolder flannel shirts would best be paired with more casual looks incorporating items such as classic blue jeans. Of course, more conservative flannel shirts pair best with smarter pants and slacks, and those in the middle could be worn with corduroys, khakis, or chinos. Feel free to experiment with your different flannels to see what works best.

Shoe Styles to Wear With Flannel Shirts

When it comes to footwear worn with flannels, it’s typically best to lean a bit more to the casual side. This will mean avoiding more traditional shoe choices such as Oxford shoes and dress boots. However, don’t go too far the other way by incorporating very casual styles like combat boots, as they’re typically not seen within a classic wardrobe.

The best footwear styles to pair with a flannel shirt will be something like Derbies, or aloafer, especially in suede. The overall relaxed construction of the shoe coupled with the interesting texture of suede strikes a great balance for wear with a flannel shirt.

If you want to incorporate a bit more texture, you could also wear flannels with different kinds ofboots, such as thechukka boot,or Chelsea boot, as flannel shirts look particularly handsome when paired with more casual styles of leather boots.

Accessories for Flannel Shirt Outfits

When adding some formal flair to your flannel shirt, you really can’t beat theknit tie. This sartorial staple piece hits the right levels, as it’s still a piece of neckwear, but it isn’t overly formal like a smoothsilk tie. Of course, no outfit with a tie is complete without a pocket square, so why not go for something in a complementary color, pattern or texture? If you need any inspiration, simply consult the color wheel to create some superb accessory pairings.

Accessories for Formal Flannel Shirt Looks

Fort Belvedere

Classic Knitted Tie in Solid Rusty Orange Silk

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Fort Belvedere

Dark Bronze Diamond & Paisley Motif Madder Silk Pocket Square

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For more casual flannel shirt ensembles, you can really benefit from elevating your everyday accessories. Two-tone or “shadow striped” socks are a fantastic way to play on the multiple colors present in most checked flannel shirts. And, choosing an exquisitely crafted leather belt to compliment your footwear shows that you know how to create harmonious outfits.

Accessories for Casual Flannel Shirt Looks

Fort Belvedere

Shadow Stripe Ribbed Socks Navy Blue and Red Fil d'Ecosse Cotton

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Fort Belvedere

Chestnut Brown Calf Leather Belt Aniline Dyed with Folded Edges: Cut-To-Size

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Overall, our biggest suggestion is to try to dress your flannels up just a little bit. Don’t forget that flannel shirts are better left at home for really formal events. For example, it’s best not to wear a flannel with a business suit. Instead, keep the flannel more in the realm of the smart casual dress code in how you layer and pair it.

Accessories for Everyday Flannel Shirt Looks

Fort Belvedere

Buff Rabbits on Navy Blue with Green Silk Wool Pocket Square

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Fort Belvedere

Grey Blue & Prussian Blue Two Tone Solid Oxford Cotton Socks

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