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22 Best Flannel Shirts for Men 2024, Reviewed by Style Experts

Nov 02, 2024

Every product was carefully curated by an Esquire editor. We may earn a commission from these links. Here’s how we test products and why you should trust us.

The wardrobe staple is always in style.

The flannel shirt is the quintessential shirt, really. The primary reason is the material, which is tightly woven, usually wool or cotton, and brushed for softness. It's as warm as it is comfortable. There's also the abundance of patterns—think big plaids and buffalo checks—and an oftentimes-boxy shape that looks good on almost everyone.

The standard flannel shirt has gotten a few tweaks. Gucci, for example, enlisted Chile-based cartoonist Pablo Delcielo to design a detail that's the cat's meow. Celine Homme had Kurt Cobain in mind, exaggerating the proportions of the silhouettes and the pockets in a way that would have made the frontman proud. But if the go-to mountain look is what you're after, brands like L.L.Bean, Wrangler, and J.Crew continue to offer the real deal.

Though these options stem from different points of view, they all pretty much stick to the same mold—one that is rooted in insulating your body. That's pretty much the only box to check when it comes to the best flannel shirts. We have 22 of them just ripe for the picking. The vibe it emits, however, is all up to you.

Legendary Whitetails touts itself as the go-to label for deer hunters, offering durable fits for roaming the great outdoors. But the brand's selection of flannel shirts—with a range of colorways, like this cobalt plaid option that features corduroy-lined cuffs—also works for strutting down city streets. This is a pick our editors return to time and time again because it's endlessly soft and durable and comes in enough colors that you can easily add a few variations to your wardrobe.

At the end of the day, few brands do flannel better than the Bean. The fabric might as well be in the label's DNA. It's warm AF, thanks to the heavyweight chamois fabric, but still light enough to layer with. I'll style it with anything from a white tank top and jeans to a Henley and joggers and be cozy the whole damn time.

This fitted button-up shirt made of supersoft mid-weight flannel is the ideal top for would-be blues travelers (or actual ones). And while I don't fall into either category, I'm still vouching for this shirt, which has a slim fit that gives a contemporary look.

Our editors love Everlane, and this might just be one of Everlane's best—it's proof that not all flannels have to be plaid. Soft, sturdy, and supremely comfortable is how a modern flannel should look and feel, and with a minimalist look that's oh so easy to style with anything in your closet, it's clear that Everlane totally knocked it out of the park with this look.

Of course the brand beloved by cowboys and fans of Yellowstone offers a flannel shirt jacket that'll keep you warm, even on the chilliest nights out in the canyons. For something a little thicker than a regular shirt but not so thick that it becomes a jacket, sherpa lining is absolutely key.

A checked flannel is a '90s essential, and no one emulates the grungy, edgy look quite like Celine Homme—I mean, this style even has a frayed hem to really sell it. If you want to invest in a soft, high-end, high-quality flannel that'll make you look like Cobain, you know what to do.

Leave it to Todd Snyder to make a flannel that looks inherently chic and refined rather than rugged. This slim-fit style is lightweight and breathable, with a classic plaid print that our editors love. The fabric on this style is purposefully not brushed, so the design stays exactly in place, no matter how many times you wear it—and trust us, it'll be a lot.

Uniqlo doing what Uniqlo does best—crafting affordable, high-quality staples. This is a flannel that you can wear any which way; I prefer to keep things casual with an unbuttoned look and a white tank top under, but if you wanna button this one up, add pleated pants, loafers, and, hell, maybe even a bolo tie, it's all good.

In soft, brushed baby blue, Bugatchi's flannel is a must-have, in my books. The fabric is designed to be durable and cozy, with a point collar and classic silhouette to keep things chic. The curved hem makes it easy to wear tucked or untucked, with sneakers, boots, loafers, or even your best slides.

If you're balling on a budget, or you're just looking for a reliable, go-to flannel that you don't want to overinvest in, Dockers is the brand for you. This style is versatile as hell, with a curved hem that looks great untucked or tucked. The regular fit is great to layer over or under, so don't shy away from hoodies, blazers, and Henleys.

Famous for flannels, Rails delivers quality shirts that you can never have too many of. Our editor loves this flannel's dark-hued, sleek look, and that chest pocket adds a level of convenience that isn't too shabby, either. Unbuttoned or buttoned, this is an easy, effortlessly cool look.

J.Crew keeps things chic and cozy in this soft, mid-weight flannel made from sustainable cotton. True to the brand's nature, this style goes with pretty much everything. It's also got two buttoned chest pockets to store your smallest essentials.

Don't overthink your flannel—sometimes, a simple option that you can pair with any jeans and tee is all you need. Bonobos has the perfect fit for doing just that. Our editors love how chic and effortless this is and, moreover, how damn soft and stretchy the fabric is.

The must-have piece for fall and winter, this flannel is cozier than your favorite sweater. It feels lightweight, but the fabric's tech traps in heat and lets out moisture—say bye-bye to sweat and hello to warm winter nights.

With four-way stretch fabric, this flannel is—like most of Lululemon's clothes—made to move. It has a modern, two-toned check print that I can't get enough of, along with two deep chest pockets and no-stink, no-wrinkle technology.

I don't know about you, but this is what I envision when someone says "flannel": something soft, cozy, and red. Alimens & Gentle does the classic, quintessential flannel to an absolute T, and for under 30 bucks, too. How much better can it get than this?

Made from cotton that has a soft, pre-worn look and feel, this is a flannel that'll get you through even the coldest, grayest days of fall. The buttoned chest pockets are convenient as hell, and the classic, timeless style ensures you'll get plenty of wear out of this one for years to come.

When I want supreme softness, I reach for a brushed fabric—it's like wearing a blanket but not as hot. Wellen hits the nail on the head with this double-sided brushed-polyester flannel, a perfect pick for fall layering. It has a relaxed fit with dropped shoulders, a lived-in look and feel, and a versatile style that lends itself to all your other pieces.

Patagonia has a flannel that can take on the outdoors just as well as it can take on, say, your nine-to-five or an evening at the bar. This relaxed, mid-weight style is all about ease of wear, so don't think twice about what you're wearing this with, whether you prefer jeans, cargos, joggers, or khakis.

Going for a flannel with a neutral color palette means you can wear it with just about anything, from a bold graphic tee and jeans to a more colorful pair of pants and loud accessories. This one looks as good in the office as it does in the outdoors, whether you're opting for a minimalist vibe or a maximalist one.

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