The Great and Powerful Flannel

Move over polo sweaters, the plaid dad flannel is here to carry us through winter

Every year a singular item noses its way to the surface as THE piece to make all our other things feel up to date. Two years ago I wrote about the rise of the polo sweater (it still hits if you ask me!) Last year (well, really January) it was the v-neck. Both of these still work, obviously. But the THING I reach for most days lately, when I want to feel stylish, is a plaid flannel.

Not exactly a “dad flannel,” since I have my dad’s L.L.Bean from the 80s in my closet and it’s not the one I’m wearing most often. What I’m talking about here is a slightly refined plaid flannel that still gives off the aura of a proper outfit. I have acquired two this year (with two more from Etsy on the way). What they all share is a sense of intention in their design. The first from Matteau has a faded plaid pattern on a thin (less nubby) material with a substantial collar. If ever there were a “fancy flannel” this would be it. The second, from Polo, is a thicker (read: more nubby) material in a slightly shrunken shape to more easily wear with interesting pants and skirts without needing to tuck. It’s thickness allowing it to easily replace a sweater.

I like them both layered. Or worn as a jacket. Or with nothing under it and some necklaces dangling down my décolletage. With black pants and sneakers as a jean alternate. And really every which way in between. The print, the cozy material, its casual air. Everything about these shirts just seem to scream FINISHING TOUCH! So today we will get into styling it, five great options and pinning down the why it’s hitting right now.