Five Plus One is our weekly series of buyer’s guides. We pick a specific category and dig up five great options along with one that’s a little outside the norm.
Layering season is upon us, and what better better to layer with than a warm, check flannel? They’re super versatile–you can wear them as a base layer, open and over a tee shirt, or as a piece of outerwear if the weather is forgiving enough, so what excuse do you have for not stocking up on them this winter?
People tend to fall into one of two camps when it comes to flannels: those who adore soft, brushed-cotton flannels, and those that prefer the more traditional rough wool flannels (ala Pendleton or Woolrich). Here at Heddels we appreciate both styles, so whatever your preference may be, you’ll find some great options below.
1) New England Shirt Company: Navy Buffalo Check Flannel
New England Shirt Company is the oldest ready-to-wear shirting company in the United States that is still in business, a fact that is easy to believe once you’ve handled a few of their shirts. Each is handmade, and the quality really shows in their final products. This slim-fit shirt is made out of a robust cotton flannel, and is finished with mother of pearl buttons, a matched-pattern chest pocket, and a rounded hem.
Available for $204 from Unionmade.
2) Filson: Seattle Fit Flannel Hunting Shirt (Green/Black)
Filson has been producing quality, rugged clothing for well over a hundred years, but many find their styles to be too baggy and relaxed. However, their recently released “Seattle Fit” is quite slim compared to their previous cuts, which has stopped much of this criticism. Their Flannel Hunting Shirt is a great example of how their new slim-fit line of clothing still maintains Filson’s rugged aesthetic. This shirt is made from soft cotton flannel, and features reinforced shoulders, which is intended to pad your shoulder while shooting.
Available for $98 from Filson.
3) Gitman Vintage: Shaggy Flannel Shirts
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Anyone who is a fan of heritage wear knows about Gitman Vintage, but if you have yet to buy one of their shirts then this would make a solid first pick-up. This flannel features a very interesting array of colors–from greys and reds to electric blues. From afar this shirt might not look all that special, but if you get closer you’ll see what sets this shirt apart from the others on this list (see the lead image). The texture is shaggy and soft, together with its fit I think this shirt would be best as a base layer, but that’s the great thing about flannels, they’re way more versatile than most shirts.
Available for $239 from End Clothing.
4) Iron Heart: Ultra Heavy Weight Buffalo Check Western
If you plan on buying one flannel and one flannel only, make it an Iron Heart. This beastly cotton woven is about as heavy as it gets when it comes to shirting. They even spare you the pain of putting buttons through the placket by making the shirt all snaps instead. In a classic red buffalo check, this is a shirt you could very well be wearing for decades, and don’t worry, it has the price to match.
Available for $310 from Iron Heart.
5) Pendleton: Fitted Trail Shirt
Not everyone likes their flannels to be made form super soft cotton fabric, which is why Pendleton continues to produce their traditional wool-flannel shirts. Their Fitted Trail Shirt is made from 9.7oz. virgin wool fabric, which makes this shirt an excellent outerwear option. Like many of the other shirts on this list, this one features a matched-pattern chest pocket and rounded hem, but only this one has contrasting elbow patches. This detail might not be appreciated by some, but considering how rugged and heavy-duty this shirt is I think it is a great addition.
Available for $125 from Unionmade Goods.
Plus One – Neighborhood x Burton: Long Riders
Alright, I admit it — this “check” flannel is kind of cheating, seeing as it’s only half checkered, but I think we can all agree it’s a real stand-out. The top of this shirt features a charcoal checkered pattern, which is seamlessly blended into the bottom half of the shirt that is a mural of a hunting scene. It’s a bit odd, but if anything can handle such kitschy styling it’s a flannel shirt.
Available for $370 from Need Supply.
