November 18, 2019
As much as I love a good sweater, nothing says winter to me like a flannel shirt!
Flannel shirt – Lands’ End
But get a good one – as classic as possible. A well-made flannel shirt will last for years…
These shirts do NOT have to be plaid; finding a solid color that you love might take a while, but if it’s what you want, it’s worth the effort…
Flannel shirt – Madewell; peach earrings – Kendra Scott; dark caramel cotton turtleneck – Lands End; moonstone bracelet – Dee Berkley; boots – Pikolinos; caramel wool pants – BOSS
For the upcoming winter holidays, a shirt that includes a festive color might be all you need for those casual activities like cookie swaps, caroling, or walking about looking at decorations!
Earrings – Kate Spade New York; flannel shirt – Lands’ End; black tee – Lands’ End; red socks – Calzedonia; oxfords – Vionic; black velvet pants – Lands’ End
Speaking of patience, if you look long enough you can probably find a plaid flannel shirt in any color combination you can imagine. They’re out there…
Yes, 4 earrings. Some of us wear more than 2….
Earrings – Allsaints; plaid flannel shirt – Patagonia; pewter heather tee shirt – Lands’ End; metallic gold socks – Falke; boots – Naturalizer; charcoal heather corduroy pants – Lands’ End
You may have noticed that each of these outfits carries with it at least part of an outfit from last week (and the week before, and the week before….). I do this on purpose, to show you how each new piece in an wardrobe will provide you with fresh possibilities by working easily with your existing clothes.
Sterling silver earrings – Sutton; flannel shirt – Patagonia; deep mulberry turtleneck – Lands’ End; black cherry suede boots – Nine West; socks – Smartwool; jeans – Lands’ End
In your searching, don’t forget to look for that elusive fabric “chamois.” It’s similar enough to flannel to work very much the same way in your wardrobe, and some of the options are lovely.
Also, you might find a variety of styles, like this tunic:
Coral bead earrings – The Met Store; chamois tunic – L.L.Bean; cotton turtleneck – Lands’ End; socks – Calzedonia; loafers – David Tate; jeans – Lands’ End
Don’t shy away from wearing velvet pants with flannel – mix up things!
malachite earrings – Valere; flannel shirt – L.L.Bean; white cotton tee – Lands’ End; socks – Johnstons; navy suede boots – Toni Pons; navy velvet pants – Lands’ End
Ah, this wardrobe evolves, every so slowly, but with a plan and a goal:
white, black, and red cotton turtlenecks – Lands’ End; “snow” cotton turtleneck – Lands’ End; black cashmere cardigan – Lands’ End; flannel shirt – Lands’ End; cabled sweater – L.L.Bean; striped sweater – Madewell; floral cardigan – Lands’ End; black corduroy jeans – L.L.Bean; black stretch wool pants – BOSS; tweed skirt – J.Crew; black dress – Lands’ End
Next week’s search for print or patterned tops should be interesting; I can see either a tee shirt or a button-front shirt fitting this description!
Are you still enjoying this as much as I do?
love,
Janice
p.s. 3 years ago, inspired by Georges Broque, I recklessly mixed warm and cool colors in a wardrobe…
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I really value this series, and I love the chamois tunic – how interesting and unique.
Love the highlight of patterned flannel shirts and have another view of how to wear mine.
Thanks.
Janice,
Hope all of your parts are now happily quiet ! Yes, I am very much enjoying this switching out and substitutions post! I am continuing to do just that within my own wardrobe !
Velvet AND Flannel . . . could be my new favorite thing!
I can see you rockin’ the combo…
hugs,
J
A brown outfit with a non-plaid flannel shirt option breaks frustrating stereotypes. That salmon pink is so pretty, too!
And as much as I claim to dislike wearing plaid, that tunic is great! Looks warm, cozy, feminine.
Just ordered a festive red plaid flannel shirt for Christmas activities last night from LLBean. It will be one of the few patterned items in my wardrobe. LLBean has solid chamois shirts which are fantastic! I have a cream colored one
Thank you for the cheery post on a dreary November day. Such pretty plaids. The red and green plaids would be perfect for a casual holiday look. So, before I splurge, who makes the very nicest, substantial flannel?
I have both Lands’ End and L.L.Bean flannel shirts that are 3 or 4 years old, and have been worn… hmm… 50 times? Flannel eventually loses it’s pile and gets thin, but neither of these look bad so far!
hugs,
Janice
I bought a Patagonia plaid flannel shirt last year and it is VERY thick, substantial flannel. Corduroy and flannel just say “winter” to me! – nancyo
OH yes! Patagonia… Excellent stuff…
hugs,
Janice
I like Pendleton’s women’s wool shirts. Take a look and see if any of them appeal to you.
The chamois tunic spoke to me so loudly that I ordered it immediately! We love our flannels here in the Colorado high country.
I love this series but am having trouble keeping track. Maybe you could make a copy t using graphic with the red, white, and black wardrobe, to remind us of all the different garments.
Perhaps you know this, but I’ll repeat it anyway. I vividly remember, in 1975, reading (perhaps in either ‘Mother Earth News’ or ‘Organic Gardening’ ) about L.L. Bean winning the Coty award. I still own and use my Duck Shoes. I looked up L.L. Bean in the “Interwebs” and found a couple of articles about the company. Here is the info I was looking for: “In 1975 L.L. Bean was recognized as a bona fide member of the fashion world when it received the prestigious Coty award. This accolade signified an expansion of the meaning of fashion and confirmed its role as a mirror on contemporary culture. The genius of L.L. Bean had been to recognize the recreational potential in his local surroundings and to invent ways to cater, through clothing, first for the growth of outdoor sporting activities and, later, to the booming leisure market.” http://www.fashionencyclopedia.com/Le-Ma/L-L-Bean.html
Read more: http://www.fashionencyclopedia.com/Le-Ma/L-L-Bean.html#ixzz65hLupJcg
How cool! I’ve always respected them for their fidelity to their “look” and their amazing quality. Thanks so much for sharing this with us all!
hugs,
Janice
Asking everyone here: what would you suggest for someone who loves the look and feel of flannel shirts, but has a relatively curvy body that doesn’t work well with shirts, especially more rigid ones? Shirts usually refuse to close on my hips, are roomy in an unflattering way on my waist and bust, but uncomfortably tight on my chest. Not exactly the look I’d like. Is there anything like a plaid blouse I can just tuck in my pants/skirts, or would that just be weird? I’d just like something in a warm fabric that isn’t a sweater.
Hi Alice
I have the same problemas I’m a pear shape. Some makes have a back pleat which helps fit better on the bust. I also tuck mine into trousers or a skirt so I can leave the bottom buttons undone!
Beth
Thanks for your advice! Where do you usually find shirts with a back pleat?
I love flannel shirts but often find the scale of the plaid too big for me (I’m 5 foot tall). I also never know when to wear them because to me they say country walks which somehow limits the opportunities to wear them. Any suggestions?
I’m not a fan of plaids, but over the years I have managed to find two very nice flannel shirts in solids. For winter season, my white flannel shirt replaces quietly my regular white shirt. I can’t for the life of me think why these are not more widely available
Thanks Sara for the idea of plain flannel shirts.
Its occurred to me that very fine needlecord shirts are just as warm but not too heavy.
The search begins…
I have loved this series since it started and I’m keeping careful notes! I’m slowly building my collection of neutral clothes and keeping an eye out for the accent colors I love most! I so value the guidance!
Flannel shirts: Uniqlo does a solid flannel shirt.
Well, they did last year anyway ?
Yes shame they’re not doing them this year. Gap have a couple, as well as some fine corduroy shirts.
Janice,
Thank you for this great series! Thoughtful, measured, and beautifully done. Well, also love everything else you do.
I love flannel shirts. I have a few in plaid, but prefer the solid flannels at Eddie Bauer in beautiful colors. They are well made, comfortable and warm.
Thanks again!