Would You Wear… Oversized Flannel Button-Downs?
Trends from the 80′s have been making their way into our wardrobes for the past few seasons, but today’s trend is pure 90′s grunge. Plaid itself is a huge fall trend, and the oversized flannel button-down is the hottest way to wear it.
Fashionistas have been borrowing from their boyfriends’ closets for a while now, and this trend is another example of the “boyfriend” phenomenon. Celebs like Mary-Kate Olsen, Kirsten Dunst, Jessica Biel and Ashley Tisdale love their plaid button-downs, as they are laid back pieces that can still look effortlessly chic.
So does this mean that the oversize flannel is only for girls who can work the chic messy look? I’m not sure.
I was talking to my friend about who can and cannot pull off the flannel trend (I’m convinced I can’t) and she said something that stuck with me: it all depends on how you wear it. I was so absorbed with the distressed denim and messy hair that I failed to take into account how put-together Jessica Biel is, in her tunic version with a polished leather jacket and leggings.
Outfit Inspiration
I’ve created two outfits this week, one with a more messy and unkempt appearance in mind and one with a more structured overall feel, using the same oversize flannel button down by American Eagle (which you can find here).
Grunge it up
Product Information: 1. Chanel Nail Color, 2. Wet Seal Leggings, 3. AE Denim Cutoffs, 4. Charlotte Russe Boots, 5. Ray-Ban Wayfarers
Pull It Together
Product Information: 1. AE Leather Stud Belt, 2. H81 Boyfriend Jeans, 3. Modcloth Oxfords, 4. Melie Bianco Hobo, 5. AE Classic Cardigan
What do you think?
Now I want to get your take! Would you wear a flannel button-down, and if so, how would you wear it–would you grunge it up or pull it together? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section!
Posted on on November 16, 2009 / Filed Under: Would You Wear? / Tags: Ashley Tisdale, Flannel, Jessica Biel, Kirsten Dunst, Olsens, Plaid, Would You Wear?
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Cassandra
Grunge up, I say :P
Though I think of it as more of a stable look for rushed mornings- you /know/ a flannel plaid button up won’t let you down, y’know? I’ve just seen so much plaid shirts since summer that I’m a bit tired of it.
EmilythePanda
Absolutely!!! My favorite oversized falnnel button down, I got a few months back from Urban Outfitters! Love it. Perfect for Fall/Winter, you can wear it with a skirt, skinny jeans, a blazer… dress it up or dress it down.
Everybody should have a go-to oversized flannel button down!
steph
i think that it is something very comfy and stylish at the same time. for those girls who wont trade comfort for style, this is a great option. i just think that this is not the grunge style all over again. women still like to have some sleek sillouettes, so the bottoms should fit, or be leggings or skinny jeans. i personally dont like the boyfriend jeans trend very much, and paired up with the fannel button down it just looks too sloppy and boyinsh. but thats just me…
Jennifer
I actually really love the 90s grunge look, especially how it’s slightly less . . . erm . . . dirty now. Definitely considering buying one of these.
Lizzy
Definitely, it is such a cozy look, but I’d keep the other outfit elements simple and sleek.
lizzypunch.blogspot.com
Kenna
Love look number two! I don’t know if I could pull of the first one though. I have been stalking the AE website recently as I am obsessed with that flannel shirt!
Sigríður
I love this look.
I think you just have to be aware of what to wear with it. Otherwise you could look like a woodsman.
Isabelle
I have visions of the early 90s and the flannel everywhere. This is not a good memory.
Evelina
I love flannel! Look one seems like something I would like to try out someday.
For the look #2′s bag, you could get it slightly cheaper here: http://www.baghaus.com/product/Melie-Bianco-Ramona-Hobo/show-all-handbags
For anyone who’s interested. :)
Patricia
Love it but it is all about the styling. I wear mine layered over a sequin slip from free people with tights and riding boots. If the sequin look is a bit too much for you you can go with a plane body-con skirt or dress.
Iris
I’m so very tired of flannel plaid. I understand the appeal, but my eye is visually tired by it, so I’d personally vote no.
Bethany
I totally would, but I am all about comfort, and those are super comfy!
Hannah
I vote no, too. I’m a big fan of polished looks, but even your “put together” looks still look messy to me. Since when are ripped boyfriend jeans and oversized flannels anything but messy nineties grunge?
Arielle
Yes I totally would. Infact I’m wearing one tomorrow. A blue and purple plaid one with black leggings, slouchy boots, and a knit beanie :)
Tara
Oversized flannel shirts are a staple in my closet!
I own three of my own and two I occasionally take from my boyfriend.
I usually pair them up with a knit grey highwaist mini pencil skirt.
Megan
I love the flannel shirt look. I think it’s easy to glam up or grunge out. All you need is the right skirt and heels or leggings/jeans and a pair of awesome boots.
Angela
I own an oversize flannel that I wear all the time. Shop in the mens section in stores! I got mine from the JCrew mens sales section … size S!
Marijose
Yes!!! i would only wear it like Jessica Biel did.. She looks really good!!
Coco
Flannel’s very cute. I must admit at first I was apprehensive about wearing it because it was an overrated trend in the summer, but now that fall is here it’s nice and comfy :)! Also I love the boyfriend and oxfords look, I need to purchase a pair of oxfords soon
Alana
i’m not a fan of an oversized flannel boyfriend shirt that is worn in an outfit that looks more well kept and clean…if that’s the case, it’ll just look like the plaid tunics that everyone wore in the summer time. i tend to wear mine with a grungier feel to it. i actually bought mine straight out of the men’s department at h&m in the smallest size they have. i put on a leather biker jacket and do whatever with my hair and usually throw on a pair of OTK boots. i’m just more inclined to the grungier/punk look overall i guess.
Callie
I would try it. I’m not a big fan of the oversized thing, but I think with skinny jeans or leggings it’d be alright. I think the pulled-together outfit might look a little out of proportion because the shirt and jeans are both baggy, but otherwise I love the look! Reminds me of Lindsay Lohan in Mean Girls.
Gwendolyn Guillotine
Something I would wear to my art class, I might not take it seriously and spill some paint on it. Good for casual wear as oppose to track suits with rhinestones, lol.
1950s Fashion
I really like it, it make a gir to look more young, more childless, more serious in the same time.
Forumsglobe
just think that this is not the grunge style all over again. women still like to have some sleek sillouettes, so the bottoms should fit, or be leggings or skinny jeans. i personally dont like the boyfriend jeans trend very much, and paired up with the fannel button down it just looks too sloppy and boyinsh.
Ashley
I will definitely rock the flannel, fav. jeans and moccasins look when I go back to classes in January! Great ideas and great site!!
kristene
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Paula
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MC
Vintage flannel Pendleton car coat for your man for the holidays:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Pendleton-Flannel-Car-Coat-Wool-XL-retro-grunge_W0QQitemZ300367651799QQcmdZViewItemQQptZVintage_Men_s_Clothing?hash=item45ef4ea3d7#ht_516wt_1167
lalalina
I like this look for a sunday lounging at the library, but not for class. I agree it can look kind of sloppy. For you girls thinking of rocking this look with leggings, please refer to the CF article about leggings NOT being pants, thank you!
Maya
Yes. Yes. I love this look!
Julie
I have an oversized plaid flannel with a bow tie at the waist from ae that I’ve been relying on more and more. It looks great with dark skinny jeans, and layers well with more muted wintry colors (blacks, greys) that I tend to reach for so it keeps me out of a color rut. Plus: it has tie-up sleeves so it’s great for when it’s cold, but it can be adjusted for sporadic fall weather.
Erienne
I’m from Seattle so this look has really never gone out of style and I’ve always really been into it.
nikki
Yes I love this trend and I chose to get a size bigger just for the fact I like how it looks
chloe
This trend is so weird… I love flannel but c’mon. Pairing FLANNEL with designer sunglasses and coked out celebrities?
…weird. weird.
When I think flannel, I think woodsmen and comfort. Not neon green urban outfitters “designs”. yeesh.
Jessica
yesss i love this look. but i usually pair them with leggings, pairing them with bf jeans will make you look like a man !
Caroline
I think it’s cute! Ya, id wear it! But I would pull it together! it gives a cute country look. It’s casual but doesn’t look like you are tryings.
Laila
I have a red and black plaid flannel shirt that’s a hand-me-down from my mother, from a million years ago (like maybe the 70′s?) and it’s the most comfortable thing ever, and since it’s synthetic I can wear it all throughout winter, even at night to party. Or even in the summer, ’cause I pair it up with a tank top underneath and wear it open, and I can take it off when it’s hot. So true you can put anything together with it and it’ll work, I usually wear jeans or skinny pants and Converses. The best part is, where I’m from the look is not so common ;). I’m currently looking to buy a couple of my own.
Amanda
YES! I remember watching ‘the Parent Trap’ with Lindsay Lohan, and I remember Dennis Quaid wearing an oversized flannel shirt, and I was like, ‘love that look’! Also in ‘the Christmas Shoes’ Kimberly Williams wore an oversized flannel shirt and I just thot it was pretty cute!