The flannel shirt

Prejudice? 

Whenever you think of a flannel shirt, the first thing that comes to mind is the gwalen shirt (wool in Welsh) which first appeared in 18th century Wales. Accordingly, as can be imagined, it was made from thick wool that was not very pleasant to wear, because, yes, wool is itchy! The next things that come to mind are the not very tastefully appointed colours and patterns that adorn the fabric. This, however, is nothing more than an unpleasant thing of the past: flannel has made a comeback and is making its way into the elegant man's wardrobe. 

The design

Obtaining flannel by processing wool is now a bygone practice. As a matter of fact, nowadays, flannel is manufactured from combed cotton. The best and longest cotton fibres are retained so that the flannel is smoother and more brilliant. This also produces a more durable cotton that is exceptionally resistant to regular washing. Afterwards, the combed cotton is subject to various treatments: it is beaten, trampled, mashed, pressed.... Like this, you get flannel. As such, the fabric has an easily recognisable plush and downy texture.

The choice for bad days

The flannel shirt is the quintessential shirt of autumn/winter. Among its countless qualities, the most important is its insulation against the cold. This is due to the fact that, thanks to the 82 threads needed to produce it, flannel is thicker than a classic shirt; this is also due to the fact that the fabric always remains at room temperature. Like this, you avoid the unpleasant sensation of having to put on a cold garment!   

Flannel likewise has the characteristic of being more waterproof than other materials, allowing you to avoid wringing out your clothes in case it rains!

Different ways of wearing it

Flannel knew how to reinvent so as to produce both a casual and elegant look. It is indeed possible to work with it. All you have to do is choose a neutral colour such as blue and pair it with trousers and a pair of elegant shoes. Opting for a reverse collar shirt allows you to add a touch of freshness and style to your outfit. 

For a night out or dinner at a restaurant, you can opt for a more classic collar such as a French collar shirt and set yourself apart by going for some colour.

Finally, for a casual weekend, try a patterned shirt! A plaid button-down collar shirt will give you a bit of a lumberjack look; pairing that with chinos or jeans would be best.