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No new news: The 1990s are having a major moment on the runway. Cargo pants! Jelly sandals! Bucket hats! It seems like everywhere you turn, throwback style is coming out to say hello—but nothing brings on next-level nostalgia quite like the classic long-sleeve flannel.
You can wear it out to eat. You can wear it while you sleep. You can rock it with jeans, atop leggings, over skirts. Vintage or contemporary. Buttoned or unbuttoned, sleeves rolled up or down, tied around the waist, slung over your shoulders. There’s nothing this wardrobe staple can’t do for you—and to add to it? Classic flannels are often made with 100-percent cotton, so you can feel extra comfy knowing you’re supporting sustainable fashion with every wear (and wear, and wear, and wear).
Whether you have a healthy flannel collection or you’re finally feeling ready to reintroduce the ‘90s fad into your ‘20s closet (um, welcome), check out these cozy, classic finds. There’s one for every kind of occasion—so go on, let your flannel flag fly.
Shop Long-Sleeve Flannels
The foundation of a capsule flannel wardrobe? A classic ‘90s plaid, from a classic ‘90s icon (read: Ralph). This relaxed fit is never going out of style—and every time you wear it, you support Ralph Lauren’s investment in the Better Cotton
mission, which helps cotton communities thrive while protecting and restoring the environment.
Flannel, but make it modern. The boxy silhouette of this cropped flannel is waiting and ready for your go-to pair of high-waisted pants or a day-to-night shift dress.
For a closet staple that moonlights (literally) as pajamas, go oversized and seriously soft. Daytime: Throw it on over bike shorts and tube socks for all the Princess Di vibes. Nighttime: Tie it up (thanks to side-seam slits) over jeans. Bedtime: Well, you get it.
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Of all the flannel superpowers, layering might take the cake. Thicker cotton fabric is the solve for this season’s impossible-to-dress-for, in-between weather—it works on its own, under a slouchy denim jacket, and over a tee or turtleneck.
Calling all minimalists, whose wardrobes are all about shades (*not* colors)—there’s a flannel out there for you, too. This 100-percent cotton button-down is the flannel version of a white tee, and it’ll be just as beloved in your closet.
And one for the maximalists out there. This vintage find has it all: denim, flannel, patchwork, a hood, and even a touch of floral embroidery (because yes, more is more). The best part? When you shop secondhand, you’re supporting the planet by promoting reuse-and-recycle practices, and you’re giving flannel the longevity it totally deserves.