Flannel suits have become a popular alternative to traditional cotton and wool suits. Like all suits, they consist of a formal jacket and a pair of matching trousers. When worn together, these two garments will create a formal outfit. Flannel suits, though, are defined by their flannel construction. While other suits are typically made of cotton or wool, flannel suits are made of flannel. To learn more about flannel suits, including what to look for when shopping for one, keep reading.
What Is a Flannel Suit?
A flannel suit is a formal outfit consisting of a flannel suit jacket and a pair of flannel trousers. All flannel suits are made of flannel. Both the suit jacket and the trousers of a flannel suit feature a flannel construction.
Flannel is a soft textile that featured a fuzzy, nap-faced finish. Most types of flannel are comprised of cotton or wool. The cotton or wool, though, is created with loosely spun fibers to create a nap-faced finish. The end result is a soft and fuzzy texture on one or both sides of the flannel. This flannel material is then used to create flannel suits.
Flannel vs Traditional Cotton and Wool Suits
You can find suits made of cotton and wool as well. Traditional cotton and wool suits are popular choices. Flannel, of course, is typically made of cotton and wool. Nonetheless, it's a different fabric. Cotton or wool is only considered flannel if it featured a fuzzy, nap-faced finish. Traditional cotton and wool don't have this fuzzy, nap-finished finish -- at least not by default. It must be woven in a particular way to transform it into flannel.
Reasons to Wear a Flannel Suit
Wearing a flannel suit is a surefire way to beat the cold weather. During the fall and winter months, you may need a little extra thermal protection to stay warm. Traditional wool suits are usually warmer than traditional cotton suits. With that said, flannel suits come out on top in terms of warmth. A flannel suit will trap your body heat while offering a high level of thermal insulation. The end result is a higher level of protection against the cold fall and winter weather.
If you're tired of feeling itchy while wearing suits, you may want to invest in a flannel suit. Some suits can leave your skin feeling itchy. As the rigid fibers brush against your skin, they'll create an itching sensation. Fortunately, this isn't a concern with flannel suits. Flannel suits have a fuzzy finish that makes them softer and more comfortable to wear. And with this fuzzy finish, they won't leave your skin feeling itchy.
While they are considered formal outfits, flannel suits offer a slightly more casual appearance than traditional suits. This makes them incredibly versatile. You can wear a flannel suit for both formal occasions and casual occasions. Other types of suits are more restrictive in regards to when and how you can wear them.
Another reason to wear a flannel suit is protection from wrinkles. Flannel suits are less likely to wrinkle than other types of suits. All suits can technically wrinkle, regardless of the fabric from which they are made. Nonetheless, flannel suits have a lower risk of wrinkling due to their soft, nap-faced finish. If you're tired of constantly ironing your suit jacket and trousers, you may want to choose a flannel suit. With its soft and nap-faced finish, it has a low risk of wrinkling.
Things to Look for When Choosing a Flannel Suit
When choosing a flannel suit, you should consider the color. Flannel suits are available in many of the same colors as traditional cotton and wool suits. You can find them in classic colors like gray and black, and you can find flannel suits in modern colors like blue and olive.
Some flannel suits feature a pattern. A pattern is a combination of multiple colors that are arranged in a specific pattern. Some flannel suits have vertical stripes, whereas others have horizontal stripes. There are even flannel suits with plaid. Plaid is a popular suit pattern that consists of many small square or rectangular boxes.
Don't forget to consider the fabric from which a flannel suit is made. All flannel suits are made of flannel. As mentioned above, though, flannel is typically comprised of either cotton or wool. Cotton flannel is soft, lightweight and inexpensive. Wool flannel, conversely, is soft as well but offers a higher level of warmth and thermal insulation than cotton flannel.
Keep in mind that you wear a flannel suit with or without a vest. A vest is an upper-body garment that's worn over a dress shirt and under a suit jacket. Suits with a vest are known as three-piece suits.
Tips to Maintain a Flannel Suit
You can make your flannel suit last for many years by properly maintaining it. Brushing your flannel suit regularly, for instance, will prevent lint from accumulating on the surface. With its fuzzy finish, flannel is a magnet for lint. Lint will stick to the fuzzy finish of flannel where it creates a dirty appearance. You can remove lint from a flannel suit, however, by brushing it.
Be sure to read the care tag on your flannel suit. Most suits have a care tag -- and flannel suits are no exception. On this tag, you'll find instructions from the manufacturer on how to wash and dry your flannel suit. Since the care tag is created by the manufacturer, you should follow the instructions on it. Doing so will preserve the integrity of your flannel suit while protecting it from premature wear and tear.
You should typically try to avoid exposing your flannel suit to heat. Flannel suits can withstand some degree of heat. But too much heat may damage them. When exposed to hot water or hot air, the finish on your flannel suit may become damaged. As a result, it's best to avoid exposing your flannel suit to heat.
