10 flannel shirts that are as warm as they are fashionable

Flannel shirts are among the most versatile wardrobe staples. You can wear them open over a T-shirt or buttoned, on their own on mild days or layered on chilly days. They are effortlessly stylish and pair well with everything from jeans and shorts to sun dresses. 

However, the most trendy flannel shirts aren't always as toasty as you might like them to be. You want flannel shirts that are just as warm as they are fashionable, so you don't have to choose between style and practicality. 

In this article: Dickies Men's Long Sleeve Flex Flannel Shirt, Legendary Whitetails Women's Cottage Escape Flannel Shirt and Carhartt Women's Rugged Flex Heavyweight Twill Flannel.

What is a flannel shirt?

Flannel shirts are named for their thick fabric, which traditionally was made from wool, but today is always made from cotton, polyester or a blend of the two. They're usually, but not always, plaid. Flannel is warm and soft yet loosely woven, so it should wick moisture away from the skin rather than retaining it. This is why flannel is a popular fabric for work shirts.  

Flannel shirt materials

A flannel shirt's thickness and durability depend on what kind of fabric it's made of. 

• Cotton: The thickest, warmest shirts are usually made from cotton flannel. It's rugged and breathable since it's a natural material, so you'll feel warm without overheating. However, pure cotton flannel is prone to shrinking if washed incorrectly and can take a while to dry. 
• Polyester: While polyester flannel can be heavyweight and warm, it tends to be a little lighter than cotton. It is wrinkle-resistant and dries quickly, making it easy to care for, but it isn't as durable as cotton.  
• Cotton-polyester blend: Cotton-polyester blends retain some of the benefits of both materials. Like polyester, it's quicker to dry and less prone to wrinkles than cotton while being stronger and warmer than pure polyester. 

What to look for in a flannel

There are four features to consider. 

• Color or print: Plaid and check flannels are among the most popular with plenty of choices of color and print. You can also buy solid-colored flannel shirts. 
• Cut: You can find shirts in either slim or relaxed cuts. While anyone can wear whichever shirt they like best, flannel shirts for women are more likely to be fitted at the waist than flannel shirts for men. 
• Pockets: Flannels can have one chest pocket, two chest pockets or none. Think about whether you have a preference. 
• Thickness: Flannel comes in light, medium and heavy weights. If you're looking for a warm flannel, a midweight or heavyweight option is the best choice. 

Best flannel shirts

Dickies Men's Long Sleeve Flex Flannel Shirt

Thanks to a small amount of added spandex, this shirt is thick and warm yet flexible, which is great for work or hiking. It is made from a soft brushed flannel and has a handy pencil holder in both chest pockets.

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Legendary Whitetails Men's Buck Camp Flannel Shirt

Made from a cozy midweight cotton flannel, this shirt is warm without being too hot to layer on chilly days. It's available in an impressive array of 40 plaids, checks and solid colors and sizes from S-5XL. 

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Legendary Whitetails Men's Shotgun Western Flannel Shirt

With iconic Western-style front and back yokes, this shirt stands out a little among other flannels, adding a stylish twist. It features double chest pockets and comes in 16 plaids.

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Legendary Whitetails Women's Cottage Escape Flannel Shirt

This cozy cotton flannel shirt is sure to keep you warm on chilly days without having to sacrifice style. Sizes range from XS-2XL, and it comes in a choice of 19 plaid prints, including forest plaid, coral reef plaid and golden teal plaid.

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Venado Men's Heavyweight Plaid Shirt

Crafted from a heavy polyester flannel, this shirt is warm and easy to care for, as it dries quickly, won't shrink in the wash and isn't prone to wrinkling. It comes in a range of plaids and buffalo checks plus a camo option.

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Carhartt Women's Rugged Flex Heavyweight Twill Flannel

Thanks to its heavyweight cotton flannel fabric, this shirt is super warm and hard-wearing, so it's perfect for people who work or spend a lot of recreation time outdoors. It has a relaxed fit with two buttoned chest pockets.

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Amazon Essentials Men's Flannel Shirt

This versatile flannel shirt has a regular fit and two pockets, looking effortless yet fashionable. It comes in more than 20 prints and solid colors, including olive heather and green-ivory plaid.

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Alimens and Gentle Men's Button Down Plaid Shirt

If you're fussy about colors and prints, this shirt comes in more than 40 varieties, so you're bound to find one you like. It's made from a heavy cotton flannel that will keep you warm on cold days.

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Dubinik Men's Flannel Shirt

Soft and warm, this shirt is a cozy choice for fall and winter. You can choose from over 25 plaids and checks, including pink and gray plaid, navy and red buffalo print and khaki-blue plaid.

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Wrangler Authentics Men's Long Sleeve Flannel Shirt

You can't go wrong with this rugged shirt made from a cotton flannel in nine stylish plaids. It's midweight, so it's great for wearing on its own on moderately cold days or layering when the temperatures drop.

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Worth checking out

• The North Face Campshire Shirt is extra-warm with a heavyweight flannel outer and a sherpa fleece lining, so it's perfect for cold days. 
• If you want something that's cozy for layering but not overly heavy, the SweatyRocks Long Sleeve Plaid Shirt is ideal.
• You can choose from adult and kids sizes with the Alex Vando Button Down Flannel Shirt. 
• The Weatherproof Vintage Flannel Shirt is made of cotton and comes in a range of muted tones perfect for fall.
• The Zeagoo Women's Button-Down Plaid Shirt is made from polyester that feels warm despite being lightweight. 

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Lauren Corona writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.

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