The Best Flannel Shirts for Men to Layer with This Winter

You can’t spell flannel without fall and now is prime time for the classic shirt to come out of the woodwork and into the crisp air. Like beanies and duck boots, it’s a style staple of the season, but it also works well at the end of summer, too, a la Brad Pitt. You’d do well to have a few tasty tartans in your closet. But not all plaid shirts are flannel shirts.

What Is Flannel?

The term has been used interchangeably to refer to plaid at large, though flannel is a specific type of fabric independent of the pattern overlayed on top of it. It’s believed that flannel stems from Welsh origins (as far back as 400 years ago) and was originally a type of woven fabric made from carded or worsted wool, which is essentially wool that’s been prepped for weaving.

Today, flannel is most familiar as a brushed fabric rendered in cotton, but it can be made with wool as well as man-made materials, like polyester and acrylic. The brushed quality is what gives flannel fabric its softness and warmth, making it a common fabric for chillier months. It’s seen in blankets, pajamas and especially shirts, often in some type of plaid, though it can be made in solid colors.

You can learn more about the history of flannel here.

What to Look for

Thickness

Good flannel shirts are thicker than the usual oxford or broadcloth button-up and get better with age. They’re hefty enough to pair with a thermal shirt but soft enough to wear on their own. They’re also more versatile than a typical button-up and can do double duty as an overshirt or a shirt-shirt.

Stitch Quality

Cheap flannel is easy to rip. As such, invest in a shirt that’s both made from better fabric and put together in a more polished way, meaning the stitches will stay together, not fray or fall apart. $100 or more is a fair price to pay for a shirt that’ll last — and you’ll want it to.

Why Wear a Flannel Shirt

“Practically speaking, a flannel will bring more warmth and softness than an oxford, but the brushed cotton fabric will also give off a more casual tone,” our expert, American Trench founder Jacob Hurwitz, says.

How Should a Flannel Shirt Fit?

“I think a flannel should be a little looser in the body than a dress shirt but also and a little shorter in length,” Hurwitz says. “It should drape and not hug every curve and fall below your belt but not below your fly.”

How to Pick a Flannel Shirt

While some flannel shirts can feel like costuming, the right one should come naturally, Hurwitz says.

“I don’t think flannel always has to feel outdoorsy,” he says. “Outdoorsy flannel is usually very heavy (in fabric weight) and rendered in a classic pattern like a check, in a few predictable color combos (like the very trad black/red). But fabric weight is the most defining characteristic and tends to pull everything downstream towards it.”

The key to picking the right one, he adds, lies in figuring out your ideal fabric weight. “If the fabric is thick and heavy, the pattern is going to feel heavier and so will the colors. On the other hand, if you take a lighter and finer fabric and brush it (flannel it), you can get a soft and plush fabric that doesn’t require a chainsaw or heavy machinery.”

His brand’s flannel, he argues, is a more modern interpretation, but there are lots out there like it, in newer colors with a proper fit. “It’s very sophisticated for being a casual shirt, something you could wear to a modern restaurant with dark denim or trousers and not feel out of place,” he says.

The Best Flannel Shirts for Men

Courtesy

Best Overall Flannel Shirt

Best Overall Flannel Shirt: The Yosemite Shirt

• $128.00 at taylorstitch.com

• Country of Manufacture: China
• Fit: Classic
• Material(s): 100% organic cotton
• Sizes: XS to XXL

The Yosemite Shirt from Taylor Stitch combines heavyweight chamois shirting, tonal nut buttons and two front flap pockets. It’s heavyweight without being suffocating, and you feel like you have plenty of room without carrying excess fabric. It’s got an excellent brushed feel from the organic cotton, and with Taylor Stitch’s repair or replace guarantee, the shirt is covered under a near- lifetime warranty in case of damage. Users say the sizing skews smaller than most, so size up if you need a roomier feel. Some also say they had issues with button shipping with loose threads.

Filson

Best Upgrade Flannel Shirt

Best Upgrade Flannel Shirt: Filson Alaskan Guide Shirt

• $155.00 at Filson

• Country of Manufacture: China
• Fit: Classic
• Material(s): 100% cotton twill
• Sizes: XS to XXXL, M to 2XL Tall

Filson has been in the outdoor gear game for over 100 years. As such, you’d expect the brand to make a heavyweight flannel. And they do, in a few colors to boot. Each one is made from tightly-woven, brushed-cotton twill with pleated rear shoulders for better mobility and two front gusset pockets. It’s a hell of a shirt no matter how you wear it (or use it).

Courtesy

Best Affordable Flannel Shirt: RedHead Ultimate Flannel Long-Sleeve Shirt

• $12.00 at cabelas.com
  $25.00 (53% off)

• Country of Manufacture: China
• Fit: Classic
• Material(s): 100% cotton
• Sizes: S to 5XL, L to 2XL tall

Available in over a dozen patterns, RedHead’s long-sleeve flannel shirt, for the price, can’t be beat — even by H&M or Zara. It’s made from 100 percent cotton and saysit doesn’t shrink, but many users reviews say theirs shrank a size or two. That may be okay if you size up, and RedHead offers plenty of range there: up to 5XL, including 2XL in tall sizes. Plus, the collar buttons down for a tidier appearance. Best of all, the fabric doesn’t pill, a problem most cheap shirts encounter.

Outerknown

Best Overall Flannel Shirt Jacket: Outerknown Blanket Shirt

• $168.00 at Outerknown

• Country of Manufacture: Portugal
• Fit: Classic
• Material(s): 100% organic cotton
• Sizes: S to XXL

Outerknown’s Blanket Shirt may not look like your traditional flannel — it has a curved hem, two pockets and an inner liner — but it’s super soft, like a blanket (hence the name). It works well as an overshirt or its own top layer, whether over an undershirt or with nothing underneath (if you dare). If you can nab the right fit, it’s extremely flattering, though many users say it’s hard to do –– the sleeves are noticeably tighter than the flannel’s body for most sizes.

Huckberry

Best Flannel Workshirt: Flint and Tinder Crossback Workshirt

• $110.00 at Huckberry
  $138.00 (20% off)

• Country of Manufacture India
• Fit Regular
• Material(s) 100% cotton looseweave flannel
• Sizes XS to XXXL

Flint and Tinder’s looseweave flannel work is as tough as they come. Built for tough jobs as much as the casual errand, the Crossback Workshirt is made to look broken-in and vintage, but still sports the durable newness of a new top ready for all EDC you can throw at it. Users say it sports an excellent fit, but sizing is too tight in the shoulders for some.

L.L.Bean

Best Traditional Flannel Shirt: L.L. Bean Men’s Scotch Plaid Flannel Shirt

• $50.00 at L.L.Bean

• Country of Manufacture: El Salvador
• Fit: Relaxed
• Material(s): 100% Portuguese cotton
• Sizes: XS to XXXL, M to XXXL tall

L.L. Bean’s men’s catalog boasts several different iterations of the Traditional Flannel Shirt: some with flap pockets, some with unstructured collars, some with liners. This is the most basic one of the bunch, with a relaxed fit for extra room in the chest and body.

Nordstrom

Best Modern Flannel Shirt: Wax London Whiting Overshirt

• $215.00 at Nordstrom

• Country of Manufacture: Romania
• Fit: Regular
• Material(s): 90% cotton, 8% polyester, 2% other fibers
• Sizes: XS to XXL

Big, big yarns are what gives Wax London’s standout flannels their charm. It’s as if you nicked your granddad’s old flannel and took a magnifying glass to the yarns. Each one is made in Portugal using archival flannel fabrics that are as bold as heavy.

Todd Snyder

Best Slim-Fit Flannel Shirt: Todd Snyder Two-Pocket Flannel Shirt

• $1,295.00 at Todd Snyder

• Country of Manufacture: Portugal
• Fit: Slim
• Material(s): 100% cotton
• Sizes: XS to XXL

Todd Snyder has a hard time keeping its 100 percent cotton flannel shirts in stock, no matter the color. This year, the brand sells several patterns, all essentially plaid but in different color combos. Sure, this isn’t as thick as Filson’s, but it’s more flattering. It’s got a fit close to the body which is great for tucking in and smartening up your look.

Everlane

Best Solid Flannel Shirt: Everlane The Brushed Flannel Shirt

• $90.00 at Everlane
  $145.00 (38% off)

• Country of Manufacture: Vietnam
• Fit: Slim
• Material(s): 100% cotton
• Sizes: XS to XXL

Sure, Everlane’s The Brushed Flannel Shirt is missing the prerequisite of patterning, but everything else is here: the material, which brings softness and sturdiness, and the shape. Users love the colors of this flannel, plus its fabric and heft give it some warmth for the fall. Some say it also runs small and slightly too long.

Courtesy

Best Japan-Made Flannel Shirt: Warehouse & Co. Lot.3104 One Wash Flannel Shirt

• $225.00 at

• Country of Manufacture: Japan
• Fit: Regular
• Material(s): 100% cotton
• Sizes: S to XL

Warehouse & Co. Lot.3104’s hand-made flannel shirts are a faithful reproduction of pre-’50s era shirts. The brand also reproduces buttons from the era and matches them with their chosen colorways. If you’re looking for an investment piece that’ll improve with age, go with this option.

Courtesy

Best Soft Flannel Shirt: American Trench Canclini Plaid Flannel Shirt

• $250.00 at americantrench.com

• Country of Manufacture: U.S.A.
• Fit: Classic
• Material(s): 100% Canclini cotton
• Sizes: S to XL

“Our flannel this season uses fabric from the Canclini mill of Italy,” American Trench founder Jacob Hurwitz says. “The fabric is crazy soft and brushed to perfection, but not heavy. The colors are very contemporary: rust orange with olive and cream.”

He’s right, because this flannel feels far removed from the forest, which makes it perfect to pair with khakis and sneakers.

Courtesy

Best Pocket Flannel Shirt: Woolrich Flannel Check Cruiser Shirt

• $230.00 at woolrich.com

• Country of Manufacture: U.S.A.
• Fit: Regular
• Material(s): 100% cotton
• Sizes: S to XXXL

Backcountry

Best Surf-Friendly Flannel Shirt: Pendleton Board Shirt

• $149.00 at Backcountry

• Country of Manufacture: Mexico
• Fit: Regular
• Material(s): 100% wool
• Sizes: S to XXL

Pendleton’s Board Shirt has been favored by the Beach Boys and hailed as one of the best flannel shirts on the market for over for decades. It’s remained unchanged since the ’60s, with its two-pocket design, square hem and loop collar styling. The fabric uses virgin wool milled and woven in Pendleton’s famed Oregon-based mill. It’s water-, odor-, and stain-resistant and machine-washable so you don’t have to be precious on laundry day. If you’re not keen on the camp collar design, you can opt for the Lodge Shirt which sports a single pocket and classic button-up placket.

sale

Best Western Flannel Shirt: Wythe Flannel Work Shirt

• $2,020.00 at wythenewyork.com

• Country of Manufacture: India
• Fit: Relaxed
• Material(s): 100% Indian grown cotton
• Sizes: S to XXL

Upstart New York brand Wythe’s Flannel Workshirt skews a little western, but it works — literally. The shirt itself is fashionable yet functional, making for one you’ll really want to wear everyday. It’s styled after classic shirts from the 1920’s through the 60’s, meant for hard-wearing and hard-working.

Courtesy

Best Portuguese Cotton Flannel Shirt: Portugese Flannel Mill Shirt

• $128.00 at stagprovisions.com

• Country of Manufacture: Portugal
• Fit: Classic
• Material(s): 100% cotton
• Sizes: S to XXL

Is it any surprise that a brand that’s been crafting flannel shirts through multiple generations is a great option? I mean, the brand has flannel in the name. Portuguese Flannel makes a ton of variations its bread-and-butter shirts every season, each made by highly-skilled craftspeople using exclusive fabrics made in-house.

Courtesy

Best Daily Flannel Shirt: Pladra Elli Everyday Flannel Shirt

• $10.00 at pladra.com
  $99.00 (90% off)

• Country of Manufacture: Nicaragua
• Fit: Slim
• Material(s): 100% cotton
• Sizes: S to XXXL, M to L tall

Pladra makes a number of mid- and heavyweight flannel shirts, each with their own custom interior liners. They’re patterned, just like the shirt itself, but with nature scenes and graphic designs, not plaid. Plus, they’re fairly priced and come in sizes small through XXL Tall.

Related Topics