You probably have a bunch of button-front shirts in your closet, but the best flannel shirts for men offer something that the others match: sheer coziness. No shade to your trusty bengal-stripe poplins and pinpoint Oxfords, but thanks to the buttery softness of its namesake brushed cotton fabric, a great flannel shirt is going to be one of the most comfortable layers you own. And, as a result, the shirt you reach for more than any other this time of year.
Better still, while there are plenty of boxy, oversized flannels ready-made for fall layering, you’ll also find more refined options that’ll look right with your nattiest suits and most buttery loafers. Which means you could actually wear flannel every day of the week if you wanted to. Who, pray tell, wouldn’t want that?
The Best Men’s Flannel Shirts, According to GQ
Looking for Something Specific?
Best Flannel Shirt Overall: Filson Rangeland Flannel Shirt
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Photo: Natalie Piserchio
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Photo: Natalie Piserchio
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Photo: Natalie Piserchio
Filson
Rangeland Flannel Shirt
Pros
- Really soft brushed cotton
- Platonic three-season flannel weight
- Classic fit
- Plenty of colors to choose from
Cons
- Just expensive enough that buying multiples makes you think twice
For generations Filson has delivered real-deal workwear to countless loggers, foremen, and rangers whose wardrobes demand serious utility. The Seattle-born brand’s tincloth and heavy wool clothes leap to mind, but its flannels are just as formidable—maybe even criminally underrated. Filson makes a grip of flannel styles, but our favorite is the Rangeland. The brushed cotton is substantial but not suffocating, so you can wear it for at least three seasons (assuming you live somewhere with seasons). Dual buttoned chest pockets, a blessedly non-dinky collar, and a classic fit come together in a shirt for a shirt that feels like something from the 70s, the flannel’s golden age. It comes in a wide range of colorways and an admirably wide size range, too. A hundred bucks ain’t cheap, but for the quality and attention to details, the value is in your favor.
Best Budget Flannel Shirt: L.L.Bean Chamois Shirt
When we talk about flannel shirts, we’re usually talking about the colorful plaid variety beloved by ‘90s grunge rockers, suburban dads, and off-grid survivalists alike. As indisputably classic as these tartans are, however, they’re not your only option when it comes to a great flannel shirt. New England outfitter L.L.Bean knows a thing or two about buffalo plaid, but they also understand that some folks might be inclined to reach for something more understated. Hence this absolute unit of a shirt made from heavy-duty chamois in a dark shade of navy that’s a perfect complement to your fall roster of corduroy, denim, and canvas.
The Best Upgrade Flannel Shirt: Buck Mason Felted Flannel CPO Shirt
The CPO is a canonical piece of maritime-inspired clothing, having served its country dutifully by keeping American sailors warm at sea since the 1930s. Though it’s long since been decommissioned, roving vintage hawks are always on the search for vintage examples, many of which still hold up, decades later. Buck Mason’s interpretation of the Navy-born grail is certainly a modernized version, but its faithful in one respect: this shirt is gonna last forever.
It’s made of a boiled, felted merino wool that’s satisfyingly heavy, yet softer than what you’ll find in OG CPOs. Anchor-engraved buttons (just like the originals), a single flap pocket on the chest, and a relaxed fit—sized just right to wear as an overshirt—add up to perfection. Buck Mason’s CPO may not be the flannel you imagined, but it will be the one you pull on every day.
