Flannel refers to the fabric (which is a warm fabric) while plaid refers to the pattern or print! Nowadays, they tend to be paired together but bear in mind that they do not mean the same thing.
For the sake of this blog post, the style of flannel shirts I would be talking about would be plaid shirts. Now that we’ve gotten that important fact out of the way, let’s talk flannel shirt fashion.https://theankaraqueen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/42f616_f3a51dd073b049b6916ceb4864f1f91f_mv2-1.webpAlthough a plaid shirt can be spotted more often on men than women, this is a fashion trend women can rock just as easily. Oversized flannel shirts paired with jeans tend to be associated with a lumberjack look but nowadays, women can be seen rocking this look to class, coffee shops and other casual outings.
Flannel is regarded as a more casual fabric and so today’s blog post would be focusing on styling flannel plaid shirts in different ways to create chic casual outfits. Some plaid shirts can be worn in more professional settings. This would depend on the style of shirt along with your choice of bottoms. If you are looking for flannel outfit ideas, keep reading.
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Before we dive into the various ways how to wear a flannel shirt, I would like to share some great options of flannel shirts you can find on the market. If you are looking to add a flannel shirt to your wardrobe, this list would come in handy. Remember that executing the perfect flannel shirt outfit starts with the right flannel shirt.
*Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means that I get a small commission if you decide to make a purchase through the links, at no cost to you.
Where to buy a flannel shirt
i) Amazon
Amazon offers a number of flannel shirts in a classic style. I’m talking the plaid pattern in various colors that you can match with all of your favorite jeans. THIS red buffalo plaid shirt would look amazing with a pair of black jeans and black ankle boots during the Fall. Lightweight plaid shirts are a great option during the warmer months.
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ii) Banana Republic
If you are going to be wearing a plaid shirt to the office, then Banana Republic is the site you have to check out. THIS red plaid button-down shirt could be paired with a black pencil skirt for a business casual look. You could also pair it with a pair of dress pants for a more formal look, as seen on the model. A pair of ballet flats or heels would complete your office-ready flannel shirt look.
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iii) GAP
An oversized flannel shirt is a great way to create a casual look. You can pair it with shorts, skinny jeans, or leggings to create a laid-back look that can take you to the mall or to visit friends. For a more girly touch, add a skinny belt on top to accentuate your waist THIS brown flannel shirt could be paired with your favorite jeans and a pair of sandals for an everyday look.
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iv) Etsy
Etsy offers the widest range of flannel shirts on this list. Getting married or part of a bridesmaid crew? Instead of opting for the typical robes, switch things up by having the entire crew wear customized flannel shirts for the pictures. THESE bridesmaid flannel shirts are a great way to make your bachelorette more memorable. They would also look so cute for pre-wedding photos.
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Now that you have a good idea of where to shop for flannel shirts for women, let’s talk about what to wear under a flannel shirt. The most important thing is to start out with the right flannel shirt. I would also be sharing complete outfit ideas for flannel shirt outfits you can use across different seasons.
How to Wear a Flannel Shirt
1) With a tank top and jeans
Create a classic look with a flannel shirt by wearing a simple tank top underneath it. This works especially well if you’re going to be leaving some buttons unbuttoned for a more casual look. A pair of blue jeans or black ones work well as bottoms to pair with your tank tops. Skinny jeans or straight-legged jeans are my preferred style of jeans because they balance out the looseness of your shirt.
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During the colder months, the best way to complete your flannel look is with a leather jacket and a pair of ankle booties. You could also opt for a pair of tall boots if you’re headed for a dinner date. Your favorite flannel shirt could serve as a light jacket during the summer months too. For a more slipping look, opt for a pair of dark jeans.
2) With a cami and shorts
During the warm months, flannel shirts could be worn as light jackets to protect against the sun’s rays. Create a stylish look by wearing a camisole and a pair of denim shirt with an unbuttoned flannel shirt on top. You could use the long sleeves of your shirt to keep warm on a cool summer night as flannel material is warmer. Another option is to add extra layers to your flannel shirt such as a bomber jacket.
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A chic festival look you can easily pull off is a camisole paired with short shorts and a flannel shirt tied around your waist. Choose camisoles in bright colors during the warm months or you can always go for a white shirt if color-matching Is not your thing. A pair of strappy sandals, flats or ankle boots all work in terms of footwear. Don’t forget the sunshades and sunscreen!
3) With a skirt and graphic t-shirt
You can create a more stylish look with your flannel shirt by pairing it with a pencil skirt. Classic flannel shirts can be belted around the waist to create more of an hourglass and also elevate your flannel shirt outfit. A black pencil skirt is the best choice if you’re getting ready for more formal events. Complete your outfit with a pair of black heels.
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You could also wear a crop top underneath your flannel shirt and pair it with a mini skirt for a fun summer look. Instead of buttoning up your shirt, you could leave it fully unbuttoned and wear a graphic tee underneath.
A pair of combat boots are a great option to complete this look which could be worn to class or to a coffee shop meet up. If graphic tees are really not your thing, a plain t-shirt works just as well.
4) With dress pants
This is probably the most formal way to style a flannel shirt. Similar to a black pencil skirt, a pair of black dress pants adds a more formal vibe to your flannel shirt look. Choose a more fitted flannel shirt for a more professional look.
A suit jacket or blazer would be a great choice of outerwear to complete this outfit. Tuck your shirt into your pants if you’re headed to an office meeting and slip on a pair of pumps.
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The flannel shirt would make for a nice bold statement if that’s what you’re going for. You could also wear this to church or for a presentation at school. If heels are not your thing, you could opt for a pair of flats to still maintain a more professional demeanor. For more conservative office environments, a plain flannel shirt is the best option to go with.
5) With leggings
A smart casual look you can wear to work at the mall or to head to your lectures on campus is a flannel shirt paired with leggings. This look works best with an oversized flannel shirt as the shirt would serve as a shirt dress. You can add a belt on top if you’re headed to a dinner date as well as a pair of heels.
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A black leather jacket could be thrown over your green flannel shirt to keep warm in the cold weather. During the winter months, opt for a pair of faux leather leggings and complete your look with a pair of over-the-knee boots. Black leggings are the easiest choice because they can pair easily with any color of flannel shirt. A plaid flannel shirt is a great choice to add to your Fall fashion looks.
6) With biker shorts
Another great way to style your flannel shirt for casual wear is to pair with with biker shorts. During the hot weather, you can wear a longer light flannel shirt with a pair of shorts for a camping trip. Complete your look with a fanny pack and a pair of white sneakers. You could wear a plain white tee underneath if you intend to unbutton your shirt along the way.
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If it’s a little chilly, add some outer layers such as a biker jacket or a teddy coat for a unique warmer look. You could also add a skinny belt on top of your plaid print shirt for a more cinched waist. A pair of sandals or Birkenstocks are great options for footwear.
I hope you have gotten inspired by some of my best flannel outfits. Perhaps could become a wardrobe staple in your own closet. The great thing about flannel is that it can be worn during the warmer months as a light layer or during the winter months with additional layers. There are different styles of flannel shirts you can pair with various bottoms you probably already own.
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Do check out my post: 7+ Great Ways to Wear a Belt Over a Shirt. It provides a lot of inspiration into how to add a belt on top of a shirt.
I also have a post titled: 8 Different Ways to Wear a Denim Shirt for some more outfit ideas on how to style a denim shirt.
If you’re not sure of what to wear to your next bonfire, check out my post 10+ Chic Outfits to Wear to a Bonfire.
If you plan on visiting someone in prison, check out my post: 11 Outfits to Wear When Visiting Someone in Jail.
Until the next post,
XOXO
Theankaraqueen