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Finally Flannel Season Again!
We've been waiting all summer (sweating), and now it's finally getting colder 🍂🤩
Thomas Stege Bojer
September 13, 2024
This week has been a turning point of the year for all us flannel fanatics.
At least here in Northern Europe, where temperatures dropped way below 20°C on Monday—in the mornings this week it’s even been below 10°C.
That means we can finally start wearing our favourite flannels again! Time to brush off the dust from those hanging in your closet—and maybe consider what you’re “missing”.
If you’re on the hunt for a new flannel, a good place to start could be our two guides to heavy flannels (linked below).
I’ve included three of my favourites from the guides, plus some of this season’s new flannels that’ve already dropped.
BUYING GUIDE FOR “THE BEST”
Flimsy flannels? Not for us. We’re after the thick, rugged kind that could bend the nail it’s hanging on.
In our heavy flannel buying guide, you’ll find the best heavweight flannels from top Japanese brands like Iron Heart, The Flat Head, and Samurai, plus a few hidden gems from Momotaro, Indigofera, and The Real McCoy’s.
These flannels don’t just look great—they’re built to handle the cold. Trust me, when the temperature drops, you’ll be glad you grabbed the real deal.
WELL-MADE ESSENTIALS GUIDE
Our first flannel guide, from our Well-Made Essentials series, discusses why flannels are your no. 1 go-to when the chill sets in, and why nothing beats a proper well-made one.
The guide lists 8 flannel shirts that all live up to our stringent criteria. If you’re serious about well-made menswear, a quality flannel is a must-have.​
MY 3 FAVOURITE FLANNELS
If you know me, you won’t be surprised that my top pick is Iron Heart’s UHF. Admittedly, I probably already own enough of these, but I’ll surely add at least one more (every special collaboration) to my “collection” this season.
My current Iron Heart heavy flannel “collection”
These shirts are proper heavy. Made from hand-picked long-stable Aspero cotton from the foothills of the Andes Mountains, they’re insanely soft and sturdy at the same time.
You’ll never go wrong with the iconic red/black Buffalo check, but every year, Iron Heart is bringing out more irresistible colourways—and lately also new fabrics, like the chunkier slubby version and, this year, a brand new heavy flannel made from American cotton.
It’s a neck-and-neck race between Iron Heart and UES for the heaviest flannel in the game. With some of their shirts tipping over the 15 oz. mark, UES leads by a nose. If you use weight as a quality benchmark, look no further.
Their Indigo Stripe flannel is a great alternative to the ocean of plaids that covers the flannel market. If you want to pull your style away from the woods, this railroad-style wabash flannel pulls like a freight train.
A very tough call what to put in third place, but I had to go with Freenote Cloth’s amazing Benson flannel.
Combining the best of both worlds, this fabric is milled in Japan and the shirt is sewn in the USA. It’s a magical combination, and Freenote continues their long winning streak with its impressive collection of rugged but impeccably made pieces.
Other contenders for the third spot on my list would be The Flat Head, 3sixteen, Samurai, Studio D’Artisan, and Warehouse. And there are even more. Visit those guides I link to above to see them all.
NEW FLANNELS RELEASES
In addition to the evergreens listed above, we’ve also already seen the following flannels drop:
