These Flannel Jackets Are the Right Weight for Cool Weather
Flannel shirts are warm, but flannel jackets are even warmer.
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Cemented in the wardrobes of most men, destined to make their annual debut whenever the leaves start turning, are flannel shirts; they feel great, look good, and come with plenty of Americana, outdoorsman lore. We'd all be lost without them, and they’re a certified style classic worn by everyone from Robert Redford to Steve McQueen in decades past to Ryan Gosling and Bradley Cooper in present times.
They're perfect for days when it's cold but a jacket would be too damn much. Slide one on over a T-shirt, thermal shirt or lightweight sweater and you're set. But that's about as far as they'll take you. The right flannel shirt is an undisputed classic, but the best flannel jackets up the ante even further.
Flannel Shirt vs. Flannel Jacket
When real winter weather arrives, plain flannels prove futile against the cold on their own. They have to be sandwiched between other layers, tasked with providing additional warmth but not shouldering the entire load. But if we’re being honest , what's the fun in hiding your boldly patterned shirt under a puffer, parka or peacoat? The textured, checkered patterns deserve better — their own time in the spotlight.
Seek out a flannel jacket instead of a flimsy shirt made from chamois. Sure, not all of these could keep you warm in extreme climates, but they provide ample warmth to endure the weather of late autumn and early winter. Simply put, these are more substantial than your standard flannel.
They’ve got the heritage to prove it, said Dan Hendricks, the brand manager for Line of Trade at Bespoke Post, which makes a quilted flannel shirt jacket and other rugged layers for fall.
"The flannel shirt jacket has solid American workwear history," Hendricks says. "From construction to logging, it has been a functional warmth layer under protective outerwear that is often not heavily insulated.
There’s also a touch of mobility and warmth to a flannel jacket that other heavier jackets didn’t necessarily bring to the field, Hendricks says.
"Think about it: If you were doing heavy labor you wouldn't want to have multiple jackets for shifts in weather," Hendricks tells Gear Patrol. "The flannel shirt jacket added warmth when needed and a soft layer between you and rugged protective wear."
Some of these listed below have fleece liners or a heftier construction; down inside to trap your body heat; and pockets to keep your hands warm. Others aren't made from flannel at all but rather recall patterns found on flannel shirts — i.e. plaid.
How to Style a Flannel Jacket
Wear your flannel jacket just as you would a flannel shirt: overtop a T-shirt. But because flannel jackets are burlier and often bigger, you have the option of branching out, too. Whether you choose a chunky sweater or a sweatshirt, these flannel jackets are big enough to not look weird overtop, like a standard, semi-flimsy flannel shirt would.
Flannel shirt and jacket hybrids also add depth, mobility and functionality, Hendricks says.
"Guys should look for a quilted flannel (shirt jacket) that has the softness of the originals, but with a lighter fill so it layers well and falls on your shoulders like your favorite flannel," he says.
It's a smarter, and warmer alternative to your favorite flannel, but with all of the benefits of being flannel in the first place. Just look at Mr. Gosling and Devin Booker, for example, two stylish men that wore a flannel jacket two very different ways.
- Ryan Gosling wearing his flannel jacket over a henley
- Devin Booker wearing his flannel jacket over a hoodie
