Winter is the perfect time for cozy sweaters, nogs of various flavors, and learning how to wear a flannel shirt. Like a crackling fireplace, there’s something entirely approachable about flannel. Maybe it’s due to its texture or the fact that it’s often presented in plaid, but the flannel shirt ranks high among the staples of Americana—right up there with blue jeans and white tees— in terms of sheer wearability.
The first flannel garments were fashioned from woven and brushed wool to keep farmers warm in 17th-century Wales, but it was the industrial revolution and a Pennsylvania brand named Woolrich that helped bring the style to the American masses and evolve it into the fashion staple it is today. They’ve had plenty of help since from the likes of Pendleton, L.L.Bean, Carhartt, Filson, and more.
These days, flannel remains as hardworking a material as ever, with nearly as deep of roots in pop culture as it does in workwear. Don’t believe me? Close your eyes and picture a fella in a flannel shirt. Are you seeing Kurt Cobain or A$AP Rocky? Bruce Springsteen or Tom Bunyan? LeBron James or Al Borland? Because they’ve all worn it well—and now you can, too. Here’s how to wear a flannel shirt in style.
Keep It Simple
There’s a classic element to the flannel shirt that plays well with other staples such as leather and denim. Here, vaunted Hollywood villain Benicio del Toro gives it his effortless bad-boy spin using things that you probably have in your closet: relaxed, worn-in jeans and a slick black leather jacket.
Beat the Chill
