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Nope, flannel shirts (sometimes called boyfriend shirts), aren't just for lumberjacks. In fact, they're right on trend at the moment, and If they're stylish enough for Kim Kardashian, then they're cool enough for us!
It's no surprise that flannel shirts are so popular. They're comfortable and warm, which is a must with the cold UK weather. Whether it's a plaid shacket or a checkered shirt dress, they come in all kinds of colours, lengths and fabrics, too. That's why we've put together a handy guide to choosing the best flannel shirt to help you along! Don't miss our Top 10 favourites, as we rank the best styles for women on Amazon and ASOS.
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Table of Contents
If there's one thing the UK is famous for, it's our cloudy, cold weather. A cosy flannel shirt is a great way to keep warm, whilst the sun is nowhere to be found. That's why we've put together our guide on how to pick flannel shirts. Soon you'll be as snug as a bug!
Flannel shirts often come in two lengths; there are short ones that fall around your hips, and longer ones that almost reach your knees. In this section, we'll help you find the best length for you, so you can look and feel good!
Short flannel tops look like an average shirt, so you'll easily be able to tell if a shirt has a shorter length by looking at the product photographs. In fact, any pictures of the shirt on a model will really help you to understand how the length is intended to fall.
They're especially great for tucking into your jeans, as there won't be any excess material to create an unattractive bulge. You can also wear this style loose over some leggings or trousers, for a well-fitted look.
Long length flannel shirts are sometimes called shirt dresses as they can double as a dress, and look great with some knee-length boots. If you have wider hips, we recommend choosing this style to help balance your body shape.
Don't let the name fool you though, you can wear them a variety of ways, such as over leggings or skinny jeans. You can also wear them instead of a jacket in the warmer months, or unbuttoned over your outfit to take the place of a cardigan for a more modern vibe!
Do you feel most comfortable wearing baggy or fitted clothing? That's the first question you need to ask yourself when choosing your shirt's fit. Oversized shirts look and feel casual, whereas something tighter fitting gives off a more formal vibe.
The style of fit also depends on how you'd like to wear it. If you want to tuck it into your trousers, a tighter fitting shirt is easier to manage. If you'd like your flannel shirt to act as a jacket, pick an oversized top as it can be worn over other clothing and can be wrapped around to keep you cosy!
Flannel shirts are regularly made with three different kinds of fabric; 100% cotton, poly-cotton or 100% polyester. Pay attention to the qualities of each fabric to help decide which one is best for you.
A 100% cotton flannel shirt is great for anyone who has sensitive skin. Cotton is more breathable, so it is less likely to irritate. Even if that isn't a problem you face, it'll still feel soft and smooth against your skin, making it a great choice for a slim fit shirt.
However, cotton can crease easily, meaning a 100% cotton flannel shirt will often wrinkle so you're going to need to remember to iron it. That's not such a bad thing when it comes to flannel shirts though, as you want that casual, slouchy look.
Pure polyester is an extremely hard-wearing fabric. In fact, it's resistant to chemicals, heat, light and much more. That means your flannel shirt will last much longer, which is ideal if you live an active lifestyle or work in a labour intensive job (like a gardener) as you don't want to be buying a new shirt every few months!
But, what it makes up for in strength, it lacks in comfort. This is a bad fabric for anyone with skin sensitivities as it's less breathable than cotton or poly-cotton and tends up rub up against your skin causing irritation.
Most flannel shirts are made of a mix of polyester and cotton. The amount of each fibre used varies a lot, but the mix still has the same pros and cons.
One of the best things about poly-cotton is its strength as it's stronger and more hard wearing than plain cotton. That's a big bonus with a comfort piece like a flannel shirt that you're likely going to be wearing a lot, since you don't want it to rip or break.
It doesn't cling to your skin like plain old polyester either, and prevents static. If you have long hair, you know the pain of trying on your new shirt, only to find strands of your hair flying away.
Flannel shirts tend to come in neutral colours like navy, green, grey and cream. Although, you can find ones in brighter colours like blue or red, and sometimes they even come in various shades of pink.
If you're not sure which one to pick, pay attention to your hair colour when choosing a shirt. If you have light coloured hair, opt for darker colours or brights, but stay away from cream as it'll wash you out.
On the other hand, if you have dark hair, you should look for lighter colours and stay away from anything that has too much black. This is because you run the risk of the whole outfit looking too dark and dowdy. That said, dark green can look great with brown or auburn hair!
If anyone is a fan of Mean Girls, you'll know that Wednesday is the day to wear pink. But why reserve this cosy shirt for only one day of the week? Its muted pink colour makes it stand out, and adds a bit of femininity to a shirt that traditionally can look quite masculine. It's a new and fresh, whilst still keeping the traditional feel.
This flannel shirt is a 50/50 poly-cotton blend, which is one of the best mixes for durability. It will tend not to wrinkle either, and won't fade even after multiple washes. That's great for maintaining the beautiful colour and longevity of your shirt!
Great news, this shirt comes in a gorgeous forest green colour too! This keeps the muted earth tone look, but with a little more oomph! Plus, green compliments all hair colours and skin tones. Try wearing this shirt with lighter coloured bottoms - stonewashed jeans would work well - or even a camel coloured skirt. It'll set off the top and make it stand out.
This top is oversized too, so it'll be extra comfortable and great for layering. In the winter months, wear it over a cami top for some extra warmth.
The light cream colour of this shirt is sure to compliment anyone with dark brown hair. The length is ideal for tucking into bottoms, so wear this shirt either with jeans or a neutral coloured skirt. You could even experiment by knotting it at your waist to show off your figure.
Make note of the shirt's high cotton count, blended with polyester. It'll give this shirt the strength of synthetic fabric, whilst maintaining a soft feel!
Unlike many other long flannel shirts, this one has a slim fit, adding an element of glamour that's incredibly chic. We recommend pairing it with fine jewellery to enhance the high-end appeal!
The blue and white check pattern draws attention, without being garish, and looks significantly less lumberjack than other options. It's a versatile colour that could be worn in summer, over a bikini, or in winter as part of a layered look.
Are you looking to stand out from the crowd? This red plaid top is bold, so if you like bright colours, it's going to be right up your street. Wear it with blue jeans to offset the look, as too much black will start to look a bit gothic.
This shirt has a slim fit, making it much better for smart-casual wear than some oversized choices. It'll create a nice preppy look too, if you tuck the shirt in, giving it some structure. The outfit could even look professional worn with trousers or a smart skirt.
A lot of flannel shirts tend to incorporate two or more distinct colours into the pattern. However, this one only uses shades of grey for a high contrast effect, which makes the pattern stand out. The monochrome look will make it easier to match with shoes, bottoms and accessories!
This shirt has a nice long length, so can be worn as a dress, shirt or jacket. So it'll definitely come in handy during spring months when it's too warm to wear a coat, but still a little chilly outside.
This flannel is a great length. It's slightly shorter than some of the others, whilst still maintaining the oversized shirt look. That makes it better for tucking into bottoms, while still being suitable for wear as a jacket or mini dress.
This number also has a classic plaid pattern, compared to the checkered effect on some other designs. So, if you're looking for a traditional-looking flannel shirt, this one is a good pick!
This flannel shirt is a little bit different in that the material is thicker, making it much better for wearing as a jacket, to keep you warm in the winter months. If you want to be right on trend, this is the tip for you! The high contrast pattern and unique collar also give this shirt a modern, fashionable look.
Just be careful of the polyester fabric, which isn't the most comfortable. However, if you decide to wear it over a t-shirt, that won't be too much of a problem.
This shirt has a great fit! It comes in slightly at the waist and circles around the hips, showing off your figure. It's the perfect length to wear both tucked in and loose, and the slightly raised sides keep the tight fit, whilst giving you some breathing room.
Just be careful of the colour as the bright blue and black pattern can look a bit dated. To get around this problem, try wearing it with a skirt or some leggings to make the outfit look fresh and not like something from 2006.
The longer length of this shirt makes it very versatile, meaning it can easily double as a dress. You could even wear it over your outfit instead of a jacket, or play around with it, trying out different styles, like wearing it under a skirt.
This flannel shirt is also 100% cotton so it'll feel smooth against your skin. Although it has lots of positives, the colour of this shirt is a little plain; the navy mixed with the turquoise squares muddies the colour, making it all blend into one.
You may be able to wear some of these shirts as dresses, but most of them are going to need some bottoms to complete the look. Jeans are a traditional choice to wear with your flannel top, and there are plenty of different styles to choose from. Whether it's flares or mom jeans you're after, click the links below for more of our top 10 recommendations!
We hope after reading this article, you've found a flannel shirt that's caught your attention. Remember to find a shirt that's both a comfortable and durable fabric, and experiment with different shirt lengths to change the style of your outfit. By keeping all that in mind, you'll be looking as cool as Gigi Hadid in no time!
Author: Rosa Fairfield
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