The Gist
From Seattle grunge kids, indie sleazers, or utility-minded farm men, flannel has become a tried-and-true textile for the ages.
High-fashion brands like Bottega Veneta, Dior, and The Row have used flannel in their collections.
Flannel outfits are a must for transitional fall weather.
Whether your reference point for flannel is Seattle grunge kids, indie sleazers, or utility-minded farm men, there is no denying one thing about the sturdy textile: It is deeply woven into the way modern America dresses, and has been for so long, that it’s never quite out of style.
That said, every decade or so the snuggly fabric enters a glorious window in which it goes from being a staple crop at your local Macy’s to the foundational element of the season’s most coveted runway pieces. And, lo! That moment hath cometh again, just in time for the impending fall months, when nothing feels better than layering the cozy material into your look ahead of a morning coffee run.
For proof, you can look to the Row Spring 2025 (which featured the chicest red plaid button-down) or Dior Cruise 2025 (where creative director Maria Grazia Chiuri leaned heavily on Scottish tartan for inspiration). Or perhaps you might want to turn your attention to Matthieu Blazy’s final collection for Bottega Veneta (Spring 2025), where he created leather button-front shirts with a trompe d’oeil effect to mimic a traditional checkered flannel top. It was both so close yet so far from the actual workaday staple it was imitating—that’s what made it so cool.
All these catwalk and lookbook examples mean nothing, of course, if they don’t translate to interesting flannel outfits that real people are wearing right now. But if the scene outside the last few seasons of shows tells us anything, it’s that the look is definitely a favorite amongst the insider-iest of industry insiders right now.
See how to style flannel with 10 non-lumberjack formulas ahead, complete with tips on making them your own.
Ladylike Layers
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Camila Cisneros seen in Copenhagen in January 2025.
A flannel button-down feels so unexpected in a more structured, blouse-like cut—especially when coupled with a crisp little collar. (The one pictured here is likely part of the shirt, but you could get the same effect from an embellished dickey.) Add in a polished overcoat and you couldn’t be further from cowboy territory.
Grunge Redux
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Anna Winter seen in Germany in June 2025.
Tying a plaid shirt around blue jeans has been cool since Angela Chase was crushing on Jordan Catalano and “Smells Like Teen Spirit” was blasting on every radio station. However, the look reads totally fresh here thanks to the clean crispness of the jorts and T-shirt combination (note: no frayed edges or shredded holes) and minimalist thong heels.
Maxi Impact
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Maya Adele seen in New York City in July 2025.
Whereas this long plaid skirt could read very rustic with a white blouse and boots, shiny sneakers and a playful halter top bring it into sporty territory. Because it’s a nice balance of covered and bare skin, it’s the ideal combination for transitional early autumn weather—but to make it work for cooler temperatures, you can swap in a ribbed long-sleeved tee.
Textural Urges
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Rachel Marx seen in Paris in October 2022.
At first glance, this outfit seems as standard as it gets: Flannels, jeans, and slouchy boots are certainly not a groundbreaking combination. However, the canny addition of Muppet-ish fringe throws the whole thing just off-kilter enough to be cool.
Clash Into Me
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Passerby seen in Paris in March 2025.
Want to make a timeworn motif feel less, well, timeworn? Contrast it with another classic pattern—the surprise of seeing two such familiar things in a different way makes the look totally your own. It doesn’t hurt if you throw in some statement accessories as well, such as the bold fringe-tiered boots pictured here.
Theme Party
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Passerby seen in Paris in March 2025.
One surefire way to set your flannel apart is to start with one bold piece and then fully commit to the vibe. Case in point: While this show-goer’s nubby blazer/capelet hybrid is striking enough to stand out on its own, a jaunty beret and matching knee socks take it up a few notches.
Rebel Yell
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Passerby seen in Paris in March 2025.
While flannel certainly has a reputation for reading a little woodsy, the material also has roots in England’s rebellious punk scene circa the 1970s. (Siri, please Google Vivienne Westwood!) A waist-cinching tartan top is an easy way to lean into this mood, especially if you pair it with a lacy skirt or deconstructed kilt.
Prim & Punky
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Passerby seen in Milan in June 2025.
White button-down devotees take notes: All you need to breathe new life into your signature piece is a flouncy schoolgirl-esque skirt and studded flats. For more formal occasions, consider swapping in heels with an equal amount of heavy hardware.
One-and-Done
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Passerby seen in Paris in March 2025.
The beauty of wearing a flannel dress with an interesting shape (note the asymmetrical neckline and fringe hem on this one) is that it will basically pull 90% of an outfit together for you. Your contribution? Choosing which shoes you want to set the mood—for instance, the big chunky boots here read edgy and rebellious, whereas stilettos would take things into black tie territory.
To the Kilt
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Passerby seen in March in Paris 2025.
This skirt actually comes from the collection as the dress above (Dior Resort 2025, which draws visual references from Scotland) but provided an excellent example of how styling can make similar pieces read totally different. While the previous look leans in a subversive direction, this one relies on sleek and feminine pieces—note the nipped waist jacket and pin-thin heels—to feel super sophisticated.
Read the original article on InStyle
