Flannel shirts are one of the most underrated menswear staples.
Since many are designed using a bold plaid, they’re usually dismissed as something Paul Bunyan might wear. Nowadays, though, there’s a whole host of options that go beyond the classic red check – which is why we’re here to fill you in on the best styles available now as well as some tips on how to wear them without looking like you’re heading out to your local lumber yard.
Autumn’s answer to spring’s Oxford shirt and summer’s linen, the flannel is a cosy alt which comes into its own when the colder season starts to set in. Even the A-list set seems to agree – A$AP Rocky wears his over a hoodie while Shawn Mendes prefers to pair them with denim. Then there’s the lasting style king Kurt Cobain who showed us countless ways to wear them – beneath a cardigan, over a vest or simply on its own.
Whoever’s lead you choose to follow, they all prove one thing: flannel shirts can be cool. A counter-culture staple, over the years they’ve been adopted by everyone from skaters to surfers to the punk movement as well as the grunge scene – it’s just important to steer clear of anything too lumberjack-coded. Instead, block colours, understated checks or stripes are your friend – then you can make the most of the superior softness while still hitting the all-important style marks.
Whether you go for an Eighties-inspired look – a flannel-shirt-tank-top-straight-leg-jeans combo – or wear it solo over work pants, they’re a versatile investment for the months ahead. You could wear it for a laid-back Sunday or even to work if your office errs on the side of casual. Either way, it will provide some strong outfit mileage now the summer’s on its way out.
Shop the best flannel shirts available now.
Gant Regular Fit Flannel Melange Shirt
Gant’s menswear has gone from strength to strength in recent years. As well as the preppy classics, there’s a whole host of staples the brand does well – flannel shirts included. This blue melange take features subtle chest embroidery for an elevated finish.
Buy now £120.00, Gant
Neem London Recycled Italian Flannel Navy & Grey Check Double Pocket Shirt
Responsible label Neem London is a go-to for flannel shirts. This one in particular is made from an Italian blend of 60 per cent recycled cotton and 40 per cent organic cotton – and we love the pared-back check.
Buy now £169.00, Neem London
Portuguese Flannel Teca Cotton-Flannel Shirt
Every guy could do with a plain black shirt in their wardrobe. Where a black Oxford can sometimes look like a uniform, a black flannel feels rich and plush in comparison. Portuguese Flannel has nailed the brief with this perfectly relaxed yet luxurious design.
Buy now £50.00, Portuguese Flannel
Burberry Oversized Button-Down Collar Checked Wool-Flannel Shirt
Since Daniel Lee took the helm as creative director at Burberry, he’s given the brand’s signatures a makeover. In a forest green update on the heritage check, this shirt is a prime example – and we’re into it.
Buy now £990.00, Mr. Porter
ASOS Design 90s Oversized Shirt In Khaki Check
You can count on ASOS for on-trend affordable pieces. An oversized silhouette with a simple green-white check, this is a budget-friendly alternative to the XL check shirts by Bottega Veneta and Balenciaga. Just size up for the full effect.
Buy now, ASOS
Asket The Flannel Shirt
Asket’s MO is creating seasonless collections which are built to last – all with a transparent and traceable production process, from the price tags to the manufacturing process. This shirt (which cost £35 to manufacture, by the way) is cut from a pure organic cotton twill and has a 7.42kg CO2 impact. If you want to read more, each product on the website has its own personalised environmental breakdown.
Buy now £125.00, Asket
YMC Curtis Shirt
For wearable grunge-inspired classics, London-based independent label YMC is your best bet. From stripes to checks, the collections are filled with pieces that wouldn’t look out of place on Kurt Cobain himself. Layer this shirt under a cardigan to complete the look.
Buy now £85.00, End Clothing
Stüssy Matthew Plaid Shirt Brick
A brand that’s founded on counter-culture movements, living somewhere between surf, skate, and hip-hop cultures, it’s no wonder Stüssy has a strong plaid shirt in its collection season after season. This time, it’s this tonal rust orange check on our wishlist.
Buy now £160.00, Garbstore
Sunspel Button Down Flannel Shirt
You may have heard of Sunspel thanks to its reputation as the brand with the best white t-shirts. The good news? The heritage label’s expertise doesn’t stop there – each and every piece is made using premium fabrics, from sweatshirts to socks. And, as you’d expect, this flannel shirt is no exception.
Buy now £185.00, Sunspel
