#OOTD: How to Wear a Flannel Shirt to the Office This Winter

You know the classic flannel shirt for its rugged good looks and dependable protection from the cold, but what if I told you there was a way to wear your new favorite flannel shirt to the office? Yes, my friends … it can be done.  The right flannel shirt, ideally in a more tailored cut and featuring a classic-yet-office-friendly pattern, is out there just waiting for you to snap it up. Specifically, we’ll talk all about the Mizzen+Main Durham Flannel Shirt today, a performance-minded flannel that just so happens to fit all of the above qualities we discussed — starting with that crucial tailored fit. We’ll team it up with reliable slim chinos, durable leather boots and other quality pieces that’ll look sharp on Casual Friday and sharp at the bar for happy hour. After all, it’s always helpful to dig into new ways to wear upgraded classics, especially when the doldrums of winter start to hit. Let me know via The Style Guide Facebook page what you think of the below #OOTD, and let’s get to it!

The Flannel Shirt: Mizzen+Main Durham Flannel Shirt, $110 — Here’s the tailored flannel shirt we mentioned above, made with soft fabric and featuring four-way stretch for easy layering and sharp looks.

The Sweatshirt: Flint and Tinder Reversible French Terry Sweatshirt, $78 –Yes, a rugged crewneck sweatshirt can also work at the office — you just need to pair it with the right pieces.

The Pants: Flint and Tinder 365 Pants— These classic slim five-pocket pants also happen to be made with a bit of stretch for ease of movement.

The Boots: Red Wing Merchant Boots in Ebony, $260 — Take your notions of Red Wing Heritage as a work boot-only brand and flip ’em — the Red Wing Merchant Boots are tough and yet also office-ready.
The Belt: Ezra Arthur No.1 Belt, $100 — Keep your accessories simple yet refined — the Ezra Arthur Belt perfectly fits the bill.
The Socks: CHUP Reindeer Socks, $24.98 — Invest in the best — or some of the best — with these winter-friendly socks that nicely blend comfort and style.
The Watch: LTHR Supply Co. T1.1 Watch, $199.98 — The right watch can go a long way to pulling together an outfit — in this case, the LTHR Supply Co. T1.1 Watch is dressy and stylish, the perfect complement to this high-low outfit.
The Wallet: Taylor Stitch Minimalist Billfold in Brown, $98 — Keep this look appropriately streamlined with a slim wallet from the good folks at Taylor Stitch.

That’s going to wrap up today’s #OOTD in fine fashion, I’d wager! When you step out in a tailored flannel shirt, you’ve given yourself a nice base in terms of mixing and matching with pieces that are both rugged and sharp at the same time. The Red Wing Merchant Boots nod toward tough outdoor style, while classic slim chinos pull things together on the business casual side of the equation. The cool and slightly cheeky CHUP Reindeer Socks  add a dash of fun to this outfit, while the Ezra Arthur Belt also acts as a sharp business casual accessory. Should you find yourself in need of a striking, visually interesting watch, the LTHR Supply Co. T1.1 Watch is also suitably sharp. And again, the Mizzen+Main Durham Flannel Shirt is quite the way to start off an outfit, featuring a cool pattern and excellent fabric. Is this a look that you’ll be trying out? Let me know in the comments!

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#OOTD: How to Wear a Flannel Shirt for Fall

Editor’s note: You’ve surely seen this hashtag lots of different places, including on Instagram. But how does that carry over to real life? The #OOTD will take one great item and put together a versatile, stylish outfit around it. Look for past features here.

It’s been a few weeks since we had a proper #OOTD here on The Style Guide, so we’re getting back to business today. As fall weather rolls into your neck of the woods, perhaps you’ve been breaking out some of your favorite style essentials for the season. It’s a time much-loved around Style Guide HQ for that very reason — and your list of seasonal essentials should definitely include a flannel shirt. Now, cotton flannel fabric in a plaid pattern carries with it a bit of a negative stigma — it was such a trendy staple for years that it might seem played out. But there are a few key ways you can break out a flannel shirt without looking as if you’re heading off to chop wood. The key starts, as always, with the fit of your shirt. Take that classic flannel fabric, slim it down (or size down) and pair it with a decidedly modern bomber jacket. Oh, that’s right — that’s what the below #OOTD is doing. Take a look below, follow your author on Instagram and follow The Style Guide on Facebook for your daily prescribed dose of #menswear.

Not too trendy, not too boring -- just right. A modern flannel shirt paired with other modern staples.

Not too trendy, not too boring — just right. A modern flannel shirt paired with other modern staples.

The Flannel Shirt: Eddie Bauer Favorite Flannel Shirt, $49.99 — There are some brands you don’t mess with when it comes to flannel. Eddie Bauer’s been making these for years, and they’re comfortable, easily wearable and — here’s the key — slightly visually different in an engaging Baltic plaid pattern. Size down for a slightly trimmer fit, and wear it a ton.

The Bomber Jacket: Beckett Simonon Cole Bomber Jacket, $295 — The biggest key to making this look more modern than lumberjack? A beautiful calfskin suede bomber jacket in a trim fit. Treat this piece with care (I.e. Avoid the rain) and it should last through many seasons to come.

The Denim: Cheap Monday Sonic Denim (Available via East Dane), $90 — Learn more about a denim brand that could be a new favorite — we’re talking classic washes, nice fits and agreeable price points for the quality.

The Boots: Chippewa Original 6-Inch Service Boot in Cordovan, $269.98 — Does it get any better than ridiculously durable Chippewa boots, especially in Cordovan? Hardly. These boots are the rugged complement to the slick bomber jacket — you’re wearing a flannel shirt, after all.

The Socks: American Trench Pima Cotton Houndstooth Socks, $18.98 — Textured socks in this particular color should play nicely off the deeper blue of the plaid flannel shirt — the American-made quality doesn’t hurt, either.

The Watch: Timex for J. Crew Andros Watch, $118 — J. Crew does many things quite well, and a few things very well — its collaborations with third-party partners rank high on that list.

The Belt: Rag & Bone Rugged Brass Belt. $150 (Available via East Dane) — Is $150 a lot for a belt? It certainly is. But Rag & Bone does essential basics without fuss — this durable belt falls within that category neatly.

The Everyday Carry: Taylor Stitch Raw Brass Keyhook, $32 — Goods from Taylor Stitch — from the brand’s Everyday Chambray Shirt to this keyhook — are as well-made as can be. Carry this thing everywhere, and never lose your keys again, yeah?

Again, the key with breaking out a flannel shirt revolves around picking a more unique color than the tried-and-true red-and-black combination, along with a slimmer fit. Of course, a sharp suede bomber jacket helps matters out, as do simple, clean accessories like a NATO strap watch and premium socks (yes, the socks do make a difference). Some of the picks are definitely pricey, but as we always say, they can serve as a nice reward, and a reminder of the quality you get when you pay a bit (or a lot) extra for everyday goods. Got any questions on this #OOTD? Or would you swap in a few different brands? Hit me up on Twitter.
Check back tomorrow for another fall-centric style suggestion — and until then…
Stay stylish,
-Beau

 

Style Pick of the Week: Taylor Stitch Crater Shirt

Editor’s note: Expect these posts weekly detailing one standout item coveted by yours truly. Sometimes, these fit within budgetary restrictions and other times, they’re expensive splurges worth saving for. For more Wish List items from Beau, head here, and to see other Style Picks, head here.

A rugged, Portuguese-made shirt from a brand that consistently delivers on style essentials.

A rugged, Portuguese-made shirt from a brand that consistently delivers on style essentials.

There are brands that almost make it ridiculously easy to get all your shopping done in one place — if you read The Style Guide, you know that Taylor Stitch is definitely one such brand.  It seems that just about anything you need on the #menswear front can be fulfilled by the brand — that goes for things like essential chambray shirting, classic men’s chinos made from durable fabric, and a drool-worthy leather jacket or two, and it’s particularly evident during times best suited to rugged gear (like fall). If you thought you couldn’t possibly need another reason to shop at Taylor Stitch, think again. In this instance, gentlemen (and ladies), the Crater Shirt is that very reason — and it’s a heck of a good one. It’s available for pre-order right now on the brand’s Web site for the very reasonable price of $98 — that means you should hop on  ordering one just as soon as you can. Clearly, fans of the brand got the memo — the Navy & Charcoal Plaid version seen here has been funded to the tune 146 percent. Now, what are you getting for that price? Starting with the brushed Portuguese flannel and rolling through to small details like the flap chest pocket and Japanese Urea cat’s eye buttons,  a heck of a shirt is what you’re getting. It plays right into the brand’s focus on producing timeless pieces that quickly turn into hard-wearing wardrobe staples. If you’ve checked out something as seemingly straightforward as the brand’s Brushed White Oxford, then you know that sentiment to be true. No matter the style, you’re getting the best they’ve got to offer. With the Crater Shirt, that means you’re also getting to pick between two color choices practically made for late fall, early winter and beyond.

The inverse of the option seen at the top of the page -- yet still just as stylish and versatile.

The reverse of the option seen at the top of the page — a Charcoal & Navy Plaid pattern that’s still just as stylish and versatile.


Seriously, you can’t go wrong with either the Navy & Charcoal Plaid  seen at the very top of the page, or the Charcoal & Navy Plaid pattern seen above. Still with me? Hopefully. Either way, you’re getting a durable, modern-fitting flannel shirt that’s heavy enough to wear as a shirt-jacket over a long-sleeve merino tee, comfortable enough to wear on its own, and stylish enough to fit in at the office with slim chinos — or atop slim raw denim at your favorite weekend watering hole. By pre-ordering now, you’re setting yourself up for a heck of a stylish November (that’s when the shirt ships out). It’s a hallmark of the brand that the style is still one you could easily wear with a variety of looks — that goes for the snowy depths of January just as much as it does for crisp November days. If it sounds strange to think that far ahead, think of this as a long-term investment that’s well worth your while. Heck, if the Crater Shirt is anything like the brand’s lauded Yosemite Shirt, it’s absolutely a keeper. For all of us fans of Taylor Stitch, that’s excellent news indeed. What are you waiting for? Head to the Taylor Stitch site to pre-order the Crater Shirt now (that’s not a request!).

If you do pre-order it, let me know on Twitter — and stay stylish in the meantime,

-Beau
Buck Mason - Timeless Design. Made in America.