Are you struggling to find the perfect suit to wear during the winter? If so, look no further than flannel wool. Available in two- and three-piece styles, flannel wool suits are perfect for the otherwise cool winter months. They are highly insulated, meaning they'll trap your body heat so that you stay warm and comfortable even when it's cold outside.
All flannel wool suits are made of soft, high-quality wool. The wool is woven in a way that makes it exceptionally soft, which is what distinguishes flannel wool from traditional wool. While all flannel wool suits feature a flannel wool construction, they are available in many different styles. So, how do you know which flannel wool suit is right for you?
Brushed vs Non-Brushed
Flannel wool suits are available in brushed and non-brushed styles. Brushing is a production method in which the fabric is exposed to a metal brush. The metal brush essentially wears down the exterior fibers, resulting in a super-soft texture. You'll typically find that brushed flannel wool suits are softer and more supple than other types of flannel wool suits.
Non-brushed flannel wool suits aren't exposed to a metal brush. Instead, they have a natural texture. That doesn't necessarily mean they aren't soft. Flannel wool suits are still soft; they just aren't quite as soft as brushed flannel wool suits.
Two vs Three Piece
Something else to consider when shopping for a flannel wool suit is the number of pieces it contains. As previously mentioned, there are two-piece flannel wool suits, and there are three-piece flannel wool suits. Two-piece flannel wool suits consist of a jacket and a pair of matching trousers. Both the jacket and trousers are made of the same flannel wool fabric, and they typically feature the same color and style.
Three-piece flannel wool suits are the same, except they feature an added waistcoat. All three-piece flannel wool suits consist of a jacket and a pair of matching trousers, but they also have a waistcoat. A waistcoat is a formal vest that's worn in conjunction with a suit. You'll need to wear the waistcoat over your dress shirt and under your jacket.
Single vs Double Breasted
Like all other types of suits, flannel wool suits are available in single- and double-breasted styles. These two styles refer specifically to the jacket. Single-breasted suit jackets have a single column of buttons, resulting in a narrow band of overlapping fabric on the front. Double-breasted jackets, on the other hand, have two columns of buttons, resulting in a wider band of overlapping fabric on the front.
You might be wondering whether to choose a single-breasted or double-breasted flannel wool suit. Single-breasted jackets are considered more modern than their double-breasted jacket. For a more modern style, there's no better choice than a single-breasted jacket. For a more traditional style, you should consider choosing a double-breasted jacket.
Lining vs No Lining
You may discover that some flannel wool suits feature lining. Lining refers to the use of an added layer of fabric. This extra fabric, known as lining, is sewn into the interior of the jacket and trousers. You won't be able to see it from the outside. Rather, the lining is added to the interior where it's concealed.
With lining, flannel wool suits are extremely comfortable. Most suits feature lining consisting of a different fabric from which the jacket and trousers are made. Flannel wool suits, for example, are often made with viscose lining. Viscose is a soft and luxurious fabric that's prized for its ultra-fine texture.
Here are some of the benefits of choosing a flannel wool suit with viscose lining:
- Softer and more comfortable
- Increased warmth
- Exceptional strength
- Heavier weight
- Discourages wrinkles and creases
- Wicks moisture away from your body
Pattern vs Solid Color
Flannel wool suits are available in both patterns and solid colors. Solid colors, of course, consist of a single color. There are dozens of colors in which flannel wool suits are made. Some of the most popular colors include black, navy, gray and white. A solid-color flannel wool suit features a single color, which is used throughout both the jacket and trousers.
Some flannel wool suits have multiple colors, which are arranged in a pattern. Plaid is probably the most popular and common pattern for suits. As you may already know, plaid features many small boxes in varying colors.
Regardless, you'll need to choose between a pattern or a solid color. Flannel wool suits are available in solid colors and patterns. Both types are still made of flannel wool, but they look different when worn because of their contrasting color schemes.
Custom vs Standard Size
Don't forget to consider the size when choosing a flannel wool suit. You can find flannel wool suits available in standard sizes as well as custom sizes. Standard sizes are the most common. If a flannel suit has a standard size, it will feature generic measurements. Custom-sized flannel suits, conversely, are made according to your specific body measurements. They feature a custom sized that's based on your body measurements.
A custom-sized flannel suit is a better choice because it's designed to fit your body. Different brands use different measurements in their respective sizes. As a result, you can't always rely on standard sizes being accurate. A solution is to choose a custom-sized flannel wool suit.
In Conclusion
A flannel wool suit is a type of two- or three-piece suit consisting of a soft woolen construction. They've become a popular alternative to cotton and linen suits in recent years. Like cotton and linen, flannel wool is soft. When compared to these two other fabrics, though, flannel wool is more versatile. Following the tips listed here will help you choose the perfect flannel wool suit.
