We all know that a flannel shirt is a staple when it comes to casual men’s style. It’s masculine, it’s comfortable, and it’s a classic look that has stood the test of time.
While we’ve got nothing against the lumberjack look, there are more ways to style flannel than just “farmer-chic.” We suggest having a few options in your closet to allow you to roll out a handful of looks:
- One or two solid colours, like navy or mustard. Solids are the easiest to layer and dress either up or down.
- A dark, smaller check, which is a little on the dressier side.
- A classic red or green plaid to stay true to the flannel roots.
- A lighter, larger check with white or cream mixed in to balance out the darker pieces in your wardrobe.
- At least one slim fit shirt and one in a larger size, so you can layer under or over other clothing.
Once you’ve got a few different options in your closet, it’s just a matter of putting the pieces together properly. Here are five of our favourite ways to style a flannel shirt.
5 Ways to Style a Flannel Shirt
1. Over a hoodie
Size up your flannel shirt and treat it like an outerwear piece. You can wear it over any knitwear, but it’s a particularly rugged way to make a basic hoodie more interesting. Light wash jeans and sneakers are a no-brainer with this look.
2. As a middle layer
The great thing about flannel is that you can add texture and pattern to your outfit without looking like you’re trying too hard. By wearing a flannel shirt as a middle layer, you aren’t being too showy, but you are elevating your look above just a basic tee. Wear your flannel over a henley or t-shirt, and under a bomber jacket. It’s stylish but still casual and comfortable.
3. As a pop of colour
A clean crew-neck sweater is a great canvas for your flannel shirts. Add a pop of colour to your sweaters by layering bold flannel underneath, and wear it with casual trousers like corduroy or chinos. A solid colour like this mustard hue is great for evening outings, but you can also go with a plaid flannel shirt for a more casual daytime look.
4. Under a sport jacket
This is a look that needs to be pulled off carefully. Select a sport jacket that is on the casual side. Something with a soft shoulder, patch pockets, and an easygoing fabric is ideal. Lighter colours and textured fabric also tend to be on the more casual side. A solid coloured flannel shirt is also the easiest look to pull off here, but a dark, smaller check would also work. Wear it with easygoing cotton trousers or chinos. A loafer or oxford shoe with a chunky rubber sole works well to tie the casual/chic look together.
5. As a refined statement piece
Red flannel is a classic, but if you’re not careful, you can easily slip into lumberjack territory here. Layer a sleek vest overtop to dress it up a little bit, while still allowing the shirt to stand out. This works well with green plaid flannel as well. Dark jeans and boots work best to keep it looking refined.
