Why flannel?
Flannel has regained immense popularity in recent years in the world of bespoke tailoring, whether for a suit, trousers, or a jacket. In the following blog post, we’ll explain why flannel is such a great choice.
1. Flannel fabric is soft and feels incredibly comfortable.
2. Flannel is warm and provides a cozy feeling. Nowadays, there are also lightweight flannel fabrics available, so you can even wear flannel in the warmer months.
3. Flannel is available in every conceivable color, pattern, and design. Think of herringbone, pied-de-poule, Prince of Wales checks, houndstooth, and more.
4. Flannel is the ideal fabric to combine. It bridges the gap between formal and business casual attire. Flannel trousers can easily be paired with a flannel jacket or a jacket in a different fabric. A flannel jacket with a more pronounced pattern and color can, for example, be worn well with denim or chinos. A flannel suit, depending on the type of flannel (combed or woollen), can be a statement suit (worsted flannel) or a softer suit (woollen flannel). With flannel, you can transition from formal to smart casual, and even with a three-piece suit, you can opt for sharp or approachable looks.
This is why flannel is also very popular for tailoring wedding suits.
Ensure that the color, fabric, and texture are clearly distinct when you want to dress in business casual. Otherwise, the look can appear chaotic. For example, pair grey flannel trousers with a colored jacket featuring a blue herringbone pattern.
Close-up of a Flannel Jacket: Herringbone fabric of Fine Merino Wool of 340/370 grams (SJ21) from the Fox Brothers - Somerset Jacketing - collection.
A classic flannel trousers in Dark Navy Flannel (VF18) from the Vintage Fox collection weighing 530/560 grams.
Flannel pants and trousers are often made with a button closure. By changing the color of the button you can make this a nice style element.
Flannel trousers with a buckle are a beautiful vintage feature and are also practical because they can be adjusted.
Flannel fabrics offer a wide variety of colors, patterns, and types. Worsted flannel provides a smoother fabric, while woollen flannel creates the structured, full-bodied effect associated with flannel. A worsted flannel is perfect for garments where you want the fabric to be less fuzzy but still maintain a full-bodied character. Worsted flannel fabrics typically come in heavier weights, starting at 340 grams and up, which also gives them a beautiful drape. There’s certainly a debate among sartorial enthusiasts about whether worsted flannel should be considered flannel at all.
It all comes down to the milling process, which makes the fabric fuller or less so, with patterns becoming more or less noticeable.
There’s also a third variant, Italian flannel, often featuring modern design elements in terms of color. These are usually lightweight but tend to lose their shape and wear faster than the heavier English flannel.
These fabrics are beautifully full-bodied and made in West Yorkshire. A must-see — and especially a must-feel — for anyone considering a flannel suit, jacket, or trousers.
Flannel can be used for virtually any style. Start with a flannel jacket or a pair of grey flannel trousers and learn to mix and match from there, gradually building your wardrobe.
Images: Fox Brothers.
