How To Style Flatten Shirts For Women & Men In New Ways

Rosemary December 15, 2021 | 09:20

Check out the most fashionable styles to mix and match flatten shirts for men and women!

How To Style Flatten Shirts For Women and Men 2022. Photo KnowInsiders

Button-up flannel shirts are the white tees of fall – they're a go-with-everything staple that can look punk, feminine, or totally (wonderfully) basic. Break away from your worn out flannel-with-leggings-and-boots combo with these epic styling tricks that will make getting dressed for fall soooo much easier.

Ahead, you'll find zero boring flannel outfits – only genius ways you've never thought to style your go-to plaid before (stolen from the most stylish celebrities on your IG feed). These are the absolute chicest possible ways to wear flannel.

What is flannel?

Flannel is a woven fabric most typically made from wool or cotton (if it’s a flannel shirt, you can usually count on it being the latter). What distinguishes flannel from other woven fabrics is its “napping,” which refers to the slightly raised texture of the fabric. This feature, often accomplished by brushing and sometimes done on both sides, is what gives flannel its signature softness.

But the nap provides more than just a soft touch. The raised fibers of the fabric also allow it to more easily trap heat, making it a naturally insulating fabric. This is why flannel shirts, pants, blankets and more have been a favorite way to keep warm for centuries.

Of course, flannel has been used for more than just shirts. It’s been a traditional fabric for men’s suiting and is often used for pajamas and sleepwear as well. Once you’ve felt the soft nap and experienced the heating power provided by a good flannel, you’ll understand at once why it’s a favorite choice for winter afternoons and nights.

Plain or Checkered Flannel

Flannel shirts are generally made with plain or check designs, although the checkered shirts tend to be more popular with guys. Whether you pick a plain or checked flannel shirt depends on your style, the kind of look you’re going for, and the occasion. Also known as a plaid shirt, checked flannel is more informal and casual, while plain flannel can be dressed up for a classy, smart casual look.

Checked shirts also provides more of a bold statement, while plain ones are more understated. If you choose checked flannel, you will want to make sure the rest of your outfit is neutral to avoid clashing. If you decide to go with plain flannel, you can get away with adding subtle statement pieces to your outfit.

Best Ways To Wear Flannel Shirts For Women

Knotted

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Turn your coziest flannel into a Going Out Top in two seconds, by tying it up in front. Then roll up the sleeves or, if you're feeling extra crafty, crop them with scissors.

As a skirt

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You can DIY Winnie Harlow's chic plaid look in two seconds – all you need is two plaid shirts. Button one up like normal, then knot the other around your waist. Button down the bottom and throw on some shorts.

With statement pants

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Flannels are so easy to match, because they've go so many colors worked into their checks. Wear yours flowing over a pair of matching trousers.

9 Best T-shirt Design Websites

Looking for a website to design custom T-shirts? Check out our list below! You will have a plenty of options.

With Mom Jeans

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The queen of normcore, Kendall Jenner, loves tucking baggy tops into straight-leg jeans. The high-rise cut accentuates your waist, giving a flattering silhouette to this androgynous 'fit.

With over-the-knee boots

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Skip the leggings and wear your oversized plaid with your sexiest pair of over-the-knee boots. Throw on a pair of bike shorts for extra coverage.

Tips For Wearing Flannel Shirts For Men

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Embrace Texture

Once you have your degree in the fundamentals of good dressing, using texture to your advantage is lesson number one of the masters course.

A flannel shirt is a perfect place to start. It provides an accessible way to experiment with texture and pattern for less daring dressers, and a restrained way for those who prefer to keep their style understated.

To get the full effect, team a flannel shirt up with other tactile garments. Think cord pants, maybe a wool overshirt and suede footwear. Use these textures in harmony to create depth and watch simple outfits level up before your eyes.

Keep It Classic

The flannel shirt is a classic garment, so it makes sense to style it as such. For sure-fire success every time, stick to time-honoured casual staples like raw denim jeans, leather or suede boots, classic outerwear and simple knitwear.

That’s not to say you can’t experiment with tailoring or sportswear to an extent. A plain flannel with a tailored jacket can look great, as can smart joggers and a pair of leather sneakers. However, if you want to take guesswork out of the equation and have ready-made outfits that you know look great, stick to this foolproof formula for best results.

Open Up

The flannel shirt’s biggest selling point is its versatility. A large chunk of this comes from the fact that it can be worn as both a mid-layer and top layer. This means that a flannel shirt is an option for every season.

For spring and summer, wear a flannel shirt open over a plain T-shirt. During autumn and winter, try switching your tee for a thin-gauge roll neck. Avoid big logos or prints if the shirt has a check pattern as you don’t want anything else fighting for attention. Cuff/roll the sleeves too, just to make it extra breezy.

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Learn To Layer

What is a flannel shirt if not the perfect layering piece? We’ve already talked about how it can be worn as a light overshirt in the warmer months, but this also makes it ideally suited to wrapping up when the mercury drops.

The right flannel can bring some additional depth and texture with layered autumn and winter looks. Try wearing one over a T-shirt and then throwing some chunky knitwear, a gilet and a parka on top for ultimate cold-weather protection.

When the weekend rolls around, it’s good to have outfits you can fall back on without having to think too much. It takes the hassle out of getting ready on your days off, which frees up more of that precious downtime. This is one such outfit.

A checked flannel shirt is right at home with casual legwear like jeans and chinos, or textured wool pants for a slightly smarter take. Footwear-wise, look to classic, casual boots – styles like Chelseas, Derbies and chukkas in suede or leather – and make sure the colour of the uppers either complements or creates a pleasant contrast with the other pieces.