Plaid flannel shirts have been a staple in men’s wardrobes for decades—but if your closet is full of bold checks and busy patterns, your style can start to feel dated.
In this Short, stylist Hayley Kelly of Suit Illustrated offers a simple upgrade: swap “outdated plaid flannels” for heathered flannel shirts in soft, elevated colors.
Why Plaid Can Feel Dated
Plaid isn’t wrong, but it can read overly familiar, lean too hard into a workwear stereotype, and be harder to pair with modern outerwear.
What Is Heathered Flannel?
Heathered flannel is typically a soft brushed flannel with subtle mixed yarns that creates depth without high-contrast checks. It comes in many wearable colors.
Why It Looks More Elevated
• Cleaner lines and less visual noise
• Easier layering under coats and jackets
• Subtle texture that reads modern and refined
How to Wear It
• Casual weekend: heathered flannel + dark denim + boots
• Smart-casual: heathered flannel + chinos/wool trousers + clean shoes
• Layered: under an overcoat, leather jacket, or chore coat
Starter Colors
Soft green/sage, dusty blue, navy, charcoal, oatmeal.
For help modernizing your wardrobe strategically, visit Suit Illustrated: https://suitillustrated.com/