A Cozy Flannel Is Fall’s Smartest—And Most Surprisingly Chic!

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A checkered flannel shirt was basically the uniform of my small, rural farmer’s town in Canada. Never did I imagine that years later, the fall flannel would trend on the high-fashion runways—and yet, here we are! The outdoorsy piece—favored for its cozy warmth, especially when worn camping—has been getting a luxe new treatment, with labels like The Row and Bottega Veneta making the case for it as a streamlined wardrobe staple. So, yes: Lumberjack-chic is officially in this season. Hear me out.

This past fashion month, the humble flannel shirt made a cameo on many spring 2025 runways. At Bottega, a red, black, and white checkered top was actually made from leather, while The Row debuted a red and black tartan flannel that you just know was knit from the best cashmere out there. At Comme des Garcons, flannels were even styled over plaid button-ups—doubling down on the checker print.

I remember first realizing the cool factor of a flannel shirt back in the 2000s. At the time, indie sleaze was all the rage—a trend that borrowed heavily from ’90s grunge—and plaids and flannels were part of both fashion movements. I was obsessed with seeing how stars like Mary-Kate Olsen, pre-The Row, would style their plaids with leggings and the hottest It bags of the moment. The look just felt so effortless and nonchalant. In fact, I was so enamored by the aesthetic that I had an editorial from Vogue’s December 1992 issue taped onto my walls: a shoot by Steven Meisel that spotlighted Marc Jacobs’s iconic grunge collection for Perry Ellis. In it, models Naomi Campbell and Kristen McMenamy modeled his flannels with tees and combat boots. Can you say cool?

Today, the flannel look is just as enticing—though the styling of it has certainly evolved: This season, it was less about leaning into grunge and more about paring things back. The flannel appeared with black dress pants or classic straight-leg jeans, the argument being that if you splurged on a cashmere or fine wool style, it should be a piece that you can wear with everyday basics for years to come. And if you think about it, flannels really are a smart investment. Wearing one on a crisp fall day is like receiving a warm hug—and who doesn’t want that?

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Below, shop 12 fresh flannels for the fall season.