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How to Wear a Plaid Flannel Four Ways

Sep 6, 2019

This post sponsored by Nordstrom and ShopStyle. All opinions are 110% my own! Thank you so much for supporting the brands that allow me to continue creating the best content I possibly can, for YOU, my best girls! ?

GOOOD morning!! 

I am SO excited for the weekend because we’re celebrating our two year wedding anniversary! ?(It feels like yesterday and at the same time so many years ago.) We’ll be doing a staycation at our favorite hotel, The Waldorf Astoria–we are counting down the seconds until we can close our laptops and head there for check in! Early September is our favorite time of year (it’s also when we started dating!) because it’s right when the weather starts to cool down, and time seems to slow down a little bit. 

Today’s post is one you’re going to love, I think, speaking of cooling temperatures–I’m excited to be teaming up with Nordstrom to style one of fall’s most adored staples–the plaid flannel! You guys know there are 100 reasons to love Nordstrom–their buy online + pickup option, super easy and flexible returns, free shipping, and Nordstrom notes where you can earn cashback in Nordstrom dollars to go toward future purchases! ??(By the way, if you shopped the Nordstrom Anniversary sale, you likely have a Nordstrom note you can apply to your fall purchases, so make sure to check your account!) 

But another even MORE amazing reason to love Nordstrom? They partner with factories that promote women worker empowerment through HERproject! That means whenever you shop their own Nordstrom-Made brands (my favorites being Treasure & BondLeith, BPCaslon, and Halogen, to name a few!) you help to facilitate partnerships that enable workplace-based interventions on health, financial inclusion, and gender equality. You can read more about that right here

Anyway–let’s get into today’s topic: the plaid flannel! 

The star of today’s show: Treasure + Bond Plaid Boyfriend Shirt

 

I think it’s easy to write off a plaid flannel as “lumberjack chic” or “only meant for jeans or leggings” but the truth is–a flannel can be much more versatile than you think! I’ll show you how. ?

First, let’s start out by talking about WHICH plaid flannel to go with? Well, you have endless choices (and of course, you can most definitely create this with any flannel in your wardrobe), but if you’re in the market for a new one, I really love the version I’m wearing here! Here are a few reasons why I love it: 

Super soft, not too hot: It’s a rayon blend, which is insanely soft and cozy without being overly hot. (Which, as I’m sure you know, can be the one downside of flannel–hello overheating!)

Not too thick, easy to wear long or tucked in: I also like that it isn’t too thick, so it drapes really beautifully when you tuck it in! 

Versatile pattern/color: I LOVE a great black and white flannel. I find this color scheme to be the most versatile when it comes to styling plaids. Of course, I love a red plaid, but that feels Christmassy to me, whereas a more neutral plaid you can wear September through even April. I love that this plaid has a little subtle pop of yellow that makes it different and fun. 

Easy to dress up or down: Many flannels can be super thick and nubby, making them a lot harder to “dress up” so to speak–but as I mentioned above, it’s a really lovely fabric, so you can still dress it up and make it look much more polished than a typical flannel! 

It helps put good into the world: In addition to being made in a factory that focuses on empowering women workers, the brand who makes this shirt, Treasure & Bond (a Nordstrom Made brand) is one of my favorite brands not just because they make cute, quality clothes, but also because 2.5% of their sales are donated to organizations that empower youth! 

Sizing + fit notes: The fit is supposed to be oversized. I’m typically an XS or S depending on how I want something to fit, typically don’t like my shirts TOO loose–so I went with an XS here and I’m glad I did! If you want it looser, go with your regular size, if you want it tighter, go a size down. I think going with the smaller size made it easier to tuck in. 

Okay, let’s get into how to style this cute shirt, yes!? 

#1: With Jean Shorts + Sneakers for Early Fall 

wear a flannel shirt tucked into shorts and with sneakers

I LOVE a great flannel with jean shorts–it’s my favorite thing to wear in the fall when it’s still warm but there’s a little bit of chill in the air. Perfect for a lake house weekend or day drinks soaking up the last of patio season! (?) 

Jean shorts: These jean shorts (also Treasure & Bond!) are my favorite budget-friendly jean shorts! They are SO. SOFT and so comfy. I also like that they aren’t TOO short–they have a step hem so they’re shorter in the front than in the back, so you get that extra coverage where you want it! ??PLUS, they’re on sale right now! Read my full review of them in this post! In terms of sizing, I ordered my normal size (size 25) and they’re a little bit loose. If you want them tighter, size down. They’re very stretchy! 

Sneakers: Are duh, the sneakers I wear everywhere, always! (If you’re new here, I wear them in basically like every other blog post. ?) They feel like walking on CLOUDS–no break-in required! (P.S. If you’re worried about canvas staining, they’re very easy to upkeep with some Oxyclean!) They run TTS. 

How to do the front tuck with a longer shirt: 

[one-half-first]a flannel with shorts and a girl with long, brown hair[/one-half-first][one-half]

tie your flannel shirt with a knot

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OKAY–a demonstration was needed here because I always get questions about it! “How do you front tuck a shirt that is so long in the back!?” I am often asked. The answer-like this. ?First, pull the whole shirt forward, and tuck in the “tail” so to speak, so everything is kind of a straight line. 

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how to style a flannel shirt

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how to tie and how to style a flannel shirt with jean shorts

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Then simply twist slightly (but you don’t need to twist TOO terribly much) then tuck in the “twisted tail” at the front. Pull out slightly so it achieves that “perfectly undone” effect–then, voila! 

#2: With Leather Leggings + Loafers 

one way of how to style a flannel shirt is with a long sweater

birds eye view of some shoes

When you think of “plaid flannel” you don’t exactly think of “polished and preppy”–am I right? Well, here’s the PERFECT example of my Juxtaposition trick! (Basically the only rule you ever know in order to put a great outfit together.) A tomboy flannel + edgy leather leggings + preppy loafers + classic cardigan = THE PERFECT casual, yet polished outfit. All very different styles, yet put together, they are lovely! 

Longline Cardigan: I LOVE this longline cardigan by Leith. (Another fave Nordstrom brand!) It’s such a steal, too! My favorite part is that the knit isn’t too heavy or hot, so it makes an ideal transitional piece that you’ll wear through the winter as well. It makes every outfit look so much more intentional and chic! Sizing: Runs a little big, go a size down if you’re in between. I’m wearing a small which totally fits but I still think I could’ve gone down a size. 

Faux leather leggings: I truly do think every woman needs a pair of great faux leather leggings in her wardrobe. They are just the best elevated basic. As comfy as normal leggings? Yes. Infinitely more chic and stylish? Absolutely. The pair I’m wearing here are Spanx (Sizing: size up if you’re in between sizes, I wear a small!) but Commando also makes an amazing pair, and this cute pair by Chelsea28 is on sale! 

Classic Loafers: One of my few designer items–I will say my Gucci Brixton loafers make the top 5 wardrobe staples list–they are SO wonderful, so buttery soft, and they will never go out of style. Sizing: Order 1/2 size down in the Brixtons as the leather stretches! 

Obviously the Brixtons are a big splurge, so if you want a budget-friendly dupe, I absolutely adore Sam Edelman’s Lior loafers as well! (Run TTS!) They are a very similar look for less! If you’ve been wanting something more dressy, I LOVE the look of Halogen’s Emilia loafers–they are so beautiful, add polish to any outfit, and would be especially great for work! 

#3: With a suede skirt and OTK boots

wear a flannel shirt with a skirt and tall boots

a flannel shirt and a skirt and a smile is a great outfit

Didn’t think a flannel shirt could be appropriate for a date? Think again! This look would actually be adorable for daytime or nighttime–the perfect fall outfit to wear around all afternoon exploring the city without needing to go home and change before dinner! 

Suede skirt: I think a great suede skirt is a versatile, classic must-have in any fall wardrobe! BLANKNYC makes this one that I’ve had for a couple of years now–I wear it SO much in the fall and winter! It’s the perfect thing to pair with a flannel to dress it up nicely! Again, mine is a few years old, but shop their newest, very similar versions right here

OTK boots: I’m wearing my Stuart Weitzman Lowland boots here. (One of my few other designer items–but 100% worth the investment!) They are still my favorite OTK boots to date in terms of fit and overall look. They make everything look so chic but are so comfortable!

My OTHER favorite (obviously) are Blondo boots! (Which I never shut up about. ?) All their boots are waterproof (and salt proof!) suede, so you never have to worry about ruining them in the winter! The pair I own are several years old, but there are many current knee-high/OTK boots here! (These ones look especially great, and they have traction so you can wear them when it’s snowy!) 

#4: With a Corduroy Skirt + Booties: 

a girl with a sweater talking about how to style a flannel shirt how to style a flannel shirt is shown here by a girl wearing one

Last but not least, another perfect day to night outfit! I live in outfits like this during the fall–comfy, but super stylish and put together all at the same time! 

Corduroy Skirt: I got this skirt last year and got SO much wear out of it, also made by BLANKNYC, which is one of my favorite brands for skirts + moto jackets! This one made by B.P. is also super cute and also under $50! I love the seventies vibe it gives off! 

Booties: I got these booties during the Nordstrom sale and I can’t say enough good things about them! They are so flattering and so pretty–the color is the perfect “goes with everything” taupe. HOWEVER–if you want an identical look for half the price, go with these B.P. booties! They’re 40% off right now–I tried these on as well and they are very comparable for such a steal! Come in the same pretty taupe as well as other colors! 

Longline Cardigan: Same as above–I LOVE this longline cardigan by Leith. (Another fave Nordstrom brand!) It’s such a steal, too! My favorite part is that the knit isn’t too heavy or hot, so it makes an ideal transitional piece that you’ll wear through the winter as well. It makes every outfit look so much more intentional and chic! Sizing: Runs a little big, go a size down if you’re in between. I’m wearing a small which totally fits but I still think I could’ve gone down a size. 

Shop all items in this post: 

 

I hope you loved this transitional style lesson and that it gave you some new fun ideas on how to style your favorite flannel!

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