Flannel clothing guide – a flaneur fabric breakdown

Flannel clothing guide - a 'Flaneur' fabric breakdown

When it comes to colder months, few fabrics serve you better than flannel. With its brushed texture, flannel is both versatile and effortlessly stylish—whether you’re wearing the full suit or mixing in separates.

Off white flannel dress trousers w/ taupe beige BLUGIALLO signature flannel jacket

The Tailoring Nerd’s Guide to Flannel (Feel free to skip, but we wouldn’t)

When it comes to dressing for the colder months, flannel easily ranks as one of our top three fabrics. Why? Because it’s not only warm and comfortable, but it also brings that laid-back, understated luxury vibe we love.

Flannel is typically made from wool and features a loose weave. Its signature soft texture comes from a process called napping, which gives it that slightly brushed, almost fuzzy feel. It’s a fabric that oozes casual elegance—perfect for those days when you want to look sharp but not too dressed up. And let’s be honest, isn’t that the sweet spot we all aim for?

Flannel’s versatility is one of its best features no matter if you’re consider shirts, trousers, jackets or a full suit. Whether you’re building the wardrobe from the base or mixing it into your casual tailoring rotation, flannel fits seamlessly into your wardrobe. It keeps you looking polished while staying comfortable and warm—an effortless win for autumn and winter styling.

Why it's a must have & Personal curation

Warmth, without bulk

Flannel naturally keeps you warm without feeling heavy or restrictive. Perfect for layering and staying comfortable during those colder months. Especially Italian flannel, we might add – which is typically what we curate for our clients.

Comfort, perfected

With its soft texture and relaxed drape, flannel is one of the most comfortable fabrics to wear, whether you’re in the office or out for a casual evening.

Easy to maintain

Flannel is durable and easy to care for, making it a low-maintenance fabric that looks better with each wear.

Endless versatility

Dress it up with tailored trousers or keep it laid-back with jeans. Flannel’s versatility makes it ideal for both casual and formal looks.

Timeless appeal

Flannel never goes out of style. Its classic look and feel make it a go-to fabric year after year.

Effortless style

Let’s face it—flannel just looks good. Whether it’s a soft flannel suit or a tailored jacket, you’ll exude that signature BLUGIALLO blend of casual luxury.

 

Personal curation

Our team is here to help you curate your perfect flannel pieces, from suits to separates, ensuring that each garment is crafted to your exact specifications. At the end of the day, we’re not just delivering clothes—we’re delivering confidence, personality, and style in a way that only BLUGIALLO can.

Fitting flannel garments into your wardrobe

Before diving into new flannel pieces, take a moment to reflect on your current wardrobe—the pieces you truly love and wear often. Think about the colors, textures, and styles you already have. This way, you can make a well-thought-out decision on what flannel garments will elevate your style and seamlessly blend in with what you already own.

At BLUGIALLO, we’re all about maximizing your wardrobe’s potential. Flannel’s versatility means you don’t need a lot of it to create a variety of looks. A smart way to go? Start with three key pieces that’ll give you a wide range of options. Our go-to recommendations: a pair of beige flannel trousers, a brown flannel jacket, and the timeless dark grey or charcoal flannel suit.

Things to Consider When Adding Flannel (or anything) to Your Wardrobe

  • Occasion: Where will you be wearing it? Think about whether you’re aiming for a more formal vibe, a casual look, or something that can effortlessly do both.
  • Colors that Work for You: Not sure which flannel tones complement your look? Don’t sweat it—that’s what we’re here for. We’ll help you figure out which colors fit your wardrobe and personal style.
  • Versatility: Flannel is incredibly flexible. Choose pieces that not only look great but play well with the rest of your wardrobe. The goal is to get the most out of each piece, with minimal effort.

The tailored Flannel suits

The flannel suit has been a wardrobe staple for generations, known for its soft, brushed surface and timeless appeal. Traditionally made in heavier fabrics and paired with a shirt and tie, we like to keep things more modern and relaxed by wearing it casually or as separates. One of our favorite ways to style it is with denim and knitwear, like a light beige flannel jacket in a slightly lighter fabric.

At BLUGIALLO, we work with the best Italian mills, where flannel fabrics are often lighter than their English counterparts. This gives you the warmth and structure you need, without the extra weight, making it perfect for contemporary tailoring. We also challenge the traditional idea of what a flannel suit can be, with our ‘Metropolitan Soft Suit’ as the prime example.

The tailored Flannel trousers

Flannel trousers are the unsung heroes of cool-weather dressing. With their soft, brushed texture and natural warmth, they strike the perfect balance between comfort and style. Whether you’re pairing them with a crisp shirt for a more polished look or dressing them down with knitwear and sneakers, flannel trousers offer a level of versatility that’s hard to beat.

At BLUGIALLO, we love flannel for its understated luxury. Our flannel trousers, crafted from the finest Italian mills, come in lighter weights that still hold structure while keeping you warm. Go classic with charcoal or try beige for something a bit different. And don’t be afraid to mix them into your everyday wardrobe—whether you’re pairing them with a jacket or even a relaxed crewneck, flannel trousers will carry you effortlessly from workdays to weekends.

Selection of our Custom Made and Ready to wear Signature dress flannel trouser

Other Important Flannel Pieces

When it comes to flannel, the suit and trousers may steal the spotlight, but there are a few other key pieces that deserve attention—each bringing its own take on casual luxury.

The Flannel Shirt
A flannel shirt is a must-have for those days when you want to stay comfortable but still look sharp. Soft, warm, and with that signature brushed texture, it’s the kind of piece that works just as well layered under a jacket as it does on its own with a pair of well-worn jeans. Whether you’re heading out for a laid-back weekend or a casual workday, a flannel shirt offers that perfect balance of comfort and style.

The Contemporary Urban Vest
For those who want a modern twist, the flannel vest is a standout. Designed for layering, it adds a smart, tailored look without the need for a full jacket. Wear it over knitwear or a flannel shirt for a contemporary edge, especially when you’re aiming for a relaxed yet refined look. Perfect for urban settings where style meets function.

The Odd Flannel Jacket
The odd flannel jacket is one of our favorite pieces for breaking up the traditional suit. Worn as a separate, it’s versatile enough to pair with everything from denim to chinos, making it a key player in your wardrobe. Go for a lighter weight flannel in shades like light beige or brown for a modern twist that still keeps you warm during the cooler months.

How to style and wear the flannel suit

The short answer? Anytime the weather and occasion allow for it—which, here in Sweden, is most of the year (almost). Flannel suits, and their individual pieces, are incredibly versatile thanks to the rich texture we love so much.

Worn as a full suit, a grey flannel option is perfect for nearly any formal occasion, except when specific dress codes say otherwise. When broken up into separates, the trousers and jacket quickly become key players in your wardrobe—perfect for pairing with your favorite knitwear for a smart but relaxed look. Flannel’s matte texture means it leans more casual than lustrous fabrics, so a brown flannel jacket won’t feel too formal, even in a laid-back workspace.

Choosing the right color is key to getting the most out of your flannel pieces. Take a look at the color palette of your wardrobe and go for neutrals that complement what you already own. If darker tones are your vibe, opt for brown or charcoal flannel. For those who prefer lighter shades, we can’t recommend beige flannel enough—it’s a neutral tone that pairs effortlessly with almost anything.

The must haves of flannel tailoring

The beige flannel trousers are easily combined with a wide range of autumn and winter staples. The fabric comes from the Italian weaving mill Drago, the fabric is soft and highly comfortable to wear as a pair of dressed trousers. We would definitely say go for a lighter shade of beige. It may scare some people, but the fact is that it makes a strong contribution to making the trousers easy to match. In fact, you can easily go for light-colored pants, all year round. A general tip is that the trousers should be lighter than the jacket that is worn, which is why lighter trousers are often easier to combine with odd jackets. At the same time, there are always exceptions, and this is not a general truth. We love to wear light trousers together with a brown flannel jacket and a piece of knitwear in earthy tones. Furthermore, the beige flannel trouser is highly versatile in its area of use. It could be worn at home with a cashmere roll neck, or to the office with an odd jacket, white shirt, knitted tie, and a pair of black penny loafers.

The brown flannel jacket

A versatile odd jacket is a key item in every man’s wardrobe. For many, the choice falls on a blue or grey, but in this case, we rather want to highlight the brown flannel jacket. As with other flannel garments, the brushed surface contributes to versatile use. The brown shade is useful with most garments and in many situations. This makes the jacket easy to combine with beige trousers as well as a pair of grey suit trousers. Combining garments in earthy tones with each other is a conscious choice and expresses relaxed elegance, one of our personal favorites. The jacket also wears beautifully with a pair of denim or chinos, hence its versatility. Our recommendation is to design it as double-breasted with jet pockets, highly elegant and easy to wear in more casual settings as well as formal. With that said, the jacket is equally versatile with the 2,5 button closure if that is what you prefer.

If you can only choose one

No conversation about flannel is complete without mentioning the iconic grey flannel suit, and for us, charcoal grey is the standout.

Sourced from the renowned Italian mill Vitale Barberis Canonico, this flannel is slightly lighter in weight compared to traditional English fabrics, which means you can wear it over a longer stretch of the year. It’s got that perfect balance of warmth and versatility.

As a full suit, charcoal grey is dark enough to wear with a crisp white shirt and tie for formal occasions, or dressed down with a cashmere crewneck for dinner. It’s also light enough to break up—the trousers work perfectly with odd jackets or knitwear, and the jacket easily stands alone as a sharp separate. The charcoal tone is right on point for maximizing your outfit options, whether you’re dressing it up or keeping it casual.

The charcoal flannel suit has truly stood the test of time. It’s a classic that stays fresh and relevant, especially when paired with modern touches like knitwear. That’s why we love it—it’s built to last and always in style.