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.
For many of us, checked flannel shirts are a year-round staple. It’s hard to find a pattern that pairs better with flannel than a classic check. While we’ve talked about this genre of button-down before, it’s been a spell and many of our favorite finds have sold out since those articles were posted. Whether you’re joining us to find that new shirt to add to your collection (you can never have too many) or are looking for last-minute holiday gift inspiration, we hope you find this list helpful.
1) Portuguese Flannel: Smooth Check – Pine Green, Copper, and Cream
Portuguese Flannel is one of the most consistent, entry-level shirting brands out there. Their designs remain classic, and the fabrics they choose are always understated and easy to fit into one’s wardrobe. Their Smooth Check features a great green and cream-colored pattern with copper accents and flaunts an understated single chest pocket construction with tonal buttons that match part of the check colorway.
Available for $125 from Portuguese Flannel.
2) Peregrine: Wool Blanket CPO Shirt in Barney
While there’s certainly nothing wrong with a cotton flannel, it’s hard to deny that wool flannels more texture, and this often lends itself to more depth of color.
Peregrine‘s Wool Blanket CPO Shirt is made in England from 100% wool fabric from Abraham Moon & Sons mills, which has been producing quality textiles since the mid 1800s. This flannel features deep browns, creams, and oranges, which blend together to create a beautiful, check pattern that’s perfect for autumnal get ups. Whether you’re looking for a standard layer or an overshirt, this CPO has got you covered.
Available for $295 from Blue Owl.
3) Vermont Flannel: Fitted Flannel Shirt
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If you’re asking yourself why we feature Vermont Flannel so frequently in our flannel lists, here’s the answer: they’re inexpensive, consistent, and well-made. While you’re not going to get all the details you’d get from a higher price-point shirt, for most of us these shirts will hit the sweet spot in terms of price-to-quality ratio. Available in more patterns than we can reasonably list, these made-in-USA shirts are a great way to bulk up your wardrobe with some checked options.
Available for $74 from Vermont Flannel.
4) Gitman Vintage: Brown Mélange Shaggy Flannel
Gitman Bros. Vintage is one of the preeminent shirting brands in the USA, and their Melange Shaggy Flannel shirts are some of their most interesting offers of late. Made to be more fitted than flannels traditionally are, this flannel still has the great details you’d expect from a shirt from Gitman: heavy fabric, quality construction, and a classic pattern. Available in multiple colors, this is the kind of shirt you buy in a single color but end up wanting in every hue.
Available for $250 from STAG.
5) Uniqlo: Flannel Checked Long-Sleeve Shirt in Green
Uniqlo is another excellent brand for all your basics, and their Flannel Checked Long-Sleeve Shirt is always a favorite. Shown here in a green colorway, this shirt is loose-fitting and easy to wear as a bottom layer or as outerwear. Be sure to size down from your normal size, or double-check the measures before purchasing. Uniqlo stuff can come up pretty big.
Made from 100% cotton flannel, this shirt features a patterned matched chest pocket and a gently curved hem. If this flannel isn’t your style, the ‘Qlo offers a wide range of patterns and colorways to fill whatever clothing void you have.
Available for $40 from Uniqlo.
Plus One – Beams Plus: B.D. Flannel Check Panel Navy
I’ve always been a big fan of patchwork clothing, and there is just something inherently “right” about patchwork flannels. Beams Plus‘ B.D. Flannel is made from a dozen different flannel fabrics, all of which go together surprisingly well. This made-in-Japan flannel features a curved hem, single chest pocket, and 100% cotton fabric. While you might not find yourself wearing this shirt every week, it’s definitely a fun one to take out of the closet every now and again.
Available for $168 from Lost and Found.
