How do you feel about flannel? - YouLookFab Forum

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How do you feel about flannel?

Runcarla

Veteran

The weather turned cold, and I realized I didn’t have much by way of warm tops with long sleeves. I don’t find traditional poplin button downs very warm, but I do like the feel of cozy flannel. I’ve worn the navy flannel (Find #1) 22 times since picking it up at the start of the year, so decided a second would not go amiss. Find #2 is a recent acquisition and is in regular rotation. It goes very well with my green faux leather pants and all the navies in my closet, and feels a teensy bit festive - even if the fabric is casual.

How do you feel about flannel garments?

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50 replies

Latest reply was from Eliza

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I love flannel in winter! Plaid flannels can feel a bit masculine to me, which is usually okay, but sometimes not, if you know what i mean. (And I think you do.) So sometimes I look for more "feminine" colours in the plaid (since most flannels are plaid, it seems!)

My current ones are below, but I used to have a great Stewart dress plaid flannel from LL Bean. I would love another flannel shirt with reds or hot pinks in it.

It was Angie who suggested to me that I consider flannel shirts in winter. I wasn't wearing my crisp cotton button downs nearly often enough when I lived in Ontario. The style for me is a slam dunk (as it is for you) yet I wasn't reaching for them and was feeling both guilty and sad (because I missed the style all winter.)

It was all about the climate! I do wear the long sleeved cotton shirts now -- but I wear them spring/ summer/ autumn. And I still like flannel better for winter.

I used to love sleeping on flannel sheets as a child. I still like it when I encounter them. Though we don't own any.

Banana Republic

Classic-Fit Organic Flannel Shirt

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RAILS Hunter Plaid Shirt

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Sal

Veteran

I only have flannel pj's, nothing else.

I do like it - and as Suz said it's mostly plaid - but since I don't wear much plaid, I don't have any flannel.

Kathie

Veteran

Flannel shirts are an awkward "in-between" for me. When I want casual and cosy, I'm more likely to default to knitwear. And I would feel too casual in flannel for work environments,so I don't have any flannel shirts. But, Sal's comment is reminding me that I really do need some new flannel PJs!.

CarolS

Veteran

I haven't figured out flannel for me yet, but I love watching others interpret it so fably into their wardrobes.

Sloper

Veteran

I’ve always liked flannel, and usually have one cozy plaid shirt for winter. And it must be plaid

Also an LL Bean robe (also plaid).

I used to have flannel pjs, especially when living in the Northeast USA, but wore out my last set a few years ago and never replaced.

But no flannel sheets, I prefer crispy cotton.

Kate

Veteran

The only flannel I've ever worn was a flannel half zip for gardening. I am more likely to reach for Heat Tech, merino, or a thicker wool when the weather turns cold.

Bijou

Veteran

I love the feel of flannel and if I lived in a colder climate, I would be definitely on board with flannel shirts, I currently have only one flannel shirt (in Finds) purchased second hand from Japan and it is a lovely piece to wear.

JCrew do nice shirts and blazers, I bought the plaid cotton shirt and matching jacket on sale in the Cyber Monday sales two years ago. The plaid shirt also came in flannel and I was debating on whether to see if the flannel shirt was available this year.

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JAileen

Veteran

I like it, but apparently don’t like to wear it. I have a couple of shirts but rarely wear them. I like wearing things with some give - knit tees, sweaters, fleece, etc.

I have a plaid flannel LLBean robe, too. Mine is sherpa lined. ❤️

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

My favorite present last Christmas was a big Lanz flannel nightgown, to replace the one that’s worn so thin, there’s a hole in back. So cozy!

I’ve recently discovered that I must not dislike plaid as much as I thought, because I have several pieces (including a plaid flannel jacket). But plaid flannel shirts feel awkward to me. Maybe it’s the collar.

slim cat

Veteran

I did more flannel when I was working for Lucky Brand - still have couple shirts left. The other inspiration was Korean show where the main character was wearing long flannel dusters - - I've got couple from EXPRESS. I wear flannel rarely now - but keep favorites just in case .

rachylou

Veteran

I have a flannel shacket that I really like to wear. It’s cozy! The thing about flannel shirts tho is that they’re shirts - I look terrible in collared shirts. So no flannel shirts for me

Star

Veteran

I have a blue plaid one inherited from my DH, as it is too small for him in the last few years, and it gets a lot of wear from me in winter. It is a fab cobalt blue/ light grey colour. When it wears out I will look for a replacement. Nice to pop over a slim-fit turtleneck too.

Mirjana

Veteran

I like plaid flannel shirt in winter and have two. I wear them with pants, jeans or skirt. Sometimes, I put on vest or sweater vest.

Dee

Veteran

I don't own any flannel shirts as most are plaid and as Suz mentioned plaid tends to come off as a bit masculine on me too.
I have instead opted for a thin corduroy button down shirt and have two in navy and light grey. They are really good for warmth in winter and can be worn on their own or with layers underneath.

kkards

Veteran

I love the idea of flannels. But not the reality. Not really sure why, but in the past I’ve bought them and than really reach for them, except for this one wool flannel shirt which I probably had for 5 years. I think I actually like this one because it’s warmer than cotton and the wool gives it a crispness that cotton flannels don’t have.

Buffalo check shirt-jacket

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Indigoprint

Veteran

I love flannel. I have shirts, toppers, cardigans, jackets, vests, dresses and sleepwear (including sheets). My flannel is mostly plaid, but I have solids too. I reach for it year round.

Ginger

Veteran

I like it pretty well. I like how I look in collared shirts, but it's also uneasy since they don't fit my hips. (About 20 years ago women's collared shirts were fitted with darts... still waiting for that cut to come back in.) I'm happy with plaids as long as the colors are good/pretty. They're a good in-between piece since I find them a bit breezy for cold days, but they work well for layering. Or working outside on cool days, when I get warm from movement. I also ordered flannel sheets (Pale pink!) from Lands' End last week.

Anonymous

My camel coat is flannel- does that count? I had a flannel shirt when they were trending in the 90s, but think I mostly wore it for camping.
Yes to flannel sheets though!

tam

Love flannel and have a few pieces, but my climate doesn't support more than a few "just in case of cold weather" pieces.

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

I like flannel, but it has to be just right for me: a little oversized, thinner (like the worn down flannel shirts my dad had for years and years), and not too bold of a print in just the right colors. I have one I really like. I should look for more.

Runcarla

Veteran

Big yes to flannel sheets! @ Ginger - LE is my ‘go to’ for flannel bedding. Pink sounds delicious!

@ Suz - you are on to something with your comment about flannel skewing masculine - especially plaid. (My shirts are from the men’s department - better fit through shoulders and arms.) I think when facial features skew ‘femme’, silhouettes that ‘borrow from the boys’ creates another form of juxtaposition - like Kibbe’s yin/yang.

@ chewyspagetti - interestingly flannel can be made of different fabric compositions. DH has two fancy flannel shirts with silk and cashmere in the blend. Not only do they feel divine, they come through the wash beautifully! Mine are both 98% cotton, 2% Lycra, and called ‘stretch’ flannel. They are lightweight with a nice hand, but not as nice feeling as the ones DH has!

LJP

Veteran

I love flannel sheets in the winter but that's it. Flannel shirts are too masculine and restrictive on me - I prefer knitwear for casual wear. It's not a vibe I aspire to either . *shrugs*

RobinF

Veteran

I love the feel of flannel but don't have any in my closet. I don't really wear button down shirts but wouldn't say no to the right one.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I like it in theory but don’t wear it much in practice. I had a couple of plaid flannel shirts at the ranch but they’re long gone. With denim, they feel a little too “ranch wear” to me, maybe that’s why I don’t wear them now.

No flannel PJs or sheets for me — too warm!

Helena

Veteran

I think Kathie nailed it for me, although I hadn't thought of it like that before - neither here nor there for my personal style; if I want to be cozy I'll go for a sweatshirt and if I want a dressier vibe, I'd wear a base layer under a cotton or silky shirt. Never say never though! Just haven't made it work for me to date.

Love on others though - DH has many flannels shirts in both plaids and solids, and I think they look great and a perfect comfy option for him to wear on Zoom calls.

nemosmom

Veteran

For me, they are a shoulder season item and I love them over tanks and turtlenecks. I have a favorite solid color brushed flannel from Power of my People in a deep eggplant.

I also wear them as an indoor topper in summer. I don’t find them warm enough once the warm fall days are over. We keep our house on the cooler side in winter (62F) and the colder weather leaves me craving something more substantial.

Plus, buttons can be a challenge for me in the cold.

nuancedream

Veteran

Nope. Flannel shirts make me look like I'm on my way to chop a cord of wood and feed Babe the Blue Ox.

Irina

Veteran

I like flannels but only in PJ pants. At the beginning of pandemic, I bought two flannel shirts from Uniqlo for my WFH capsule. Don't have them anymore. I don't find them as comfortable as a t-shirt and for colder days I prefer knits.
I like unisex clothes but the flannel shirts somehow don't work for me. Maybe they were too long or too straight, not sure but I didn't feel good wearing them

lyn67

Veteran

Plaid flanell is too masculine on me but enjoy it on others-think both shirts look great with your curly crown, Carla.

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