The first sign of fall will probably be seeing your friends start posting pictures of flannel-wearing bros whoopin’ it up at some vineyard. It’s safe to say that the humble flannel shirt is going to be everywhere again this year, and for good reason. The garment has an unmatched ability to pair with almost anything else in your wardrobe. Flannel comes in such a range of different colors and patterns that you can have fun styling it differently almost every day of the week.So What Exactly Is A Flannel Shirt? In its most basic form it’s a medium-length shirt with a tartan pattern – think plaid. Traditionally, these shirts were made from cotton or wool and used mostly as workwear. Recently, however, they have been repositioned as a casual alternative to the standard t-shirt or hoodie. They are perfect for those early-fall days where you need something warm but not heavy on top. Whether you own some already or want to expand your collection, here are some ideas for styling flannels this season…
Basics of Flannel Shirts
As with all clothing, it’s important to understand how different elements affect how a garment is styled. A flannel shirt is made up of three main elements: the fabric, the fit, and the pattern. The fabric of a flannel is what gives it its weight and warmth. Flannels are available in a wide range of fabrics, from heavy cottons to lighter wools. The most popular variety is made from a blend of cotton and polyester, which offers just the right mix of durability and breathability. The heavier cottons can be too warm for early-fall weather, while the lighter wools can be too thin to offer much warmth. The fit of a flannel shirt comes down to two things: the length of the garment and the width of the fabric. The length of the shirt should hit somewhere between your hips and knees, depending on what you’re pairing it with. The width of the fabric is something most people overlook when shopping for flannels. This is particularly important if you’re looking to layer the shirt under other pieces. A standard fit will sit nicely under a blazer or a light parka, but a narrower cut will help the shirt tuck in properly without bunching up around the edges.
Pair Flannels with Darker Pieces
As the name suggests, flannel shirts are made from a fabric that is woven with a pattern of coloured fibres. If you want to make your lighter-coloured flannels pop, a good rule of thumb is to pair them with darker items. A blue or grey flannel shirt, for example, looks great when paired with charcoal-coloured pants and a navy blue suit jacket. This keeps the focus on the shirt and gives you a selection of different looks depending on the colours you choose. Varying the textures of your outfit is also a great way to make your flannels pop. A smooth flannel shirt looks great against a textured pair of pants and a tailored blazer. Alternatively, you can use a lighter-coloured flannel shirt as a pop of colour against a darker outfit such as a black suit.
Mix-and-Match Prints
As mentioned above, flannel shirts come in a range of different fabrics and patterns. If you want to try something different from the traditional tartan look, you can mix-and-match different prints to create your own unique style. A chequered shirt and a striped tie, for example, will look amazing together if you pair them correctly. This is a great way to add a unique twist to your outfit without having to worry about matching colours. Another way to mix-and-match prints is to layer two contrasting flannels together. You can either pair two different shirts or tuck one shirt into another. This is a great way to create an outfit that is both casual and stylish, while allowing you to play with different patterns and colours.
Try Different Colour Combinations
If all these ideas are making you want to break out your credit card, don’t worry. There are plenty of ways to get creative with your flannels without spending a fortune. While you’re shopping for your next shirt, try experimenting with different colours. First, decide what colour you want to feature most prominently on your shirt. Then, look for other garments in that same colour and try to pick items that will pair nicely. A blue shirt, for example, looks great when paired with blue jeans and a navy blue blazer. Alternatively, you can pick a contrasting colour or pattern to help the shirt pop. A blue shirt looks great when paired with a patterned tie, white jeans, and a brown leather jacket.
Add Some Darker Pieces
If you want to tone down the brightness of your outfit, you can always add some darker pieces to the mix. This is especially useful if you’re wearing a lighter-coloured shirt that might otherwise be overwhelming. For example, a yellow shirt looks great when paired with a navy blazer, but it can be toned down a little by adding a black tie. Depending on the colours in your shirt, you can play around with a few different darker items. This is a great way to break up your outfit and really make it your own.
Go All Out With Other Layering Pieces
If you want to go all out with your flannel styling, there are plenty of other pieces you can layer with your shirt. A denim jacket, for example, looks great with almost any flannel shirt. Similarly, a cotton or linen suit vest looks great worn over a flannel shirt. With so many different options, the possibilities are endless. The most important thing is to play around with different styles and see what works best for you. What looks good on one person might not look good on you, so it’s important to find out what works for your body type and tastes.
Conclusion
And there you have it: everything you need to know about flannels and how to wear them this fall. Flannels are a versatile piece of clothing that can be styled in a variety of ways. Whether you want to go for a mix-and-match pattern look, a bolder colour combination, or something more classic, flannels are the perfect garment for the fall season. Whether you own a few flannels already or want to expand your collection, there are plenty of ways to style these garments for fall.