In Search of the Perfect Flannel
There are few things I’ve found more elusive in this lifetime than the search for the perfect flannel.** After all, I came of age in the 90’s when grunge, Clueless, and My So-Called Life shaped my entire image of cool. The influence of Angela Chase literally swaddling herself in various types of plaid throughout the series sparked a cool girl clothing craving I’ve been chasing after ever since.
There’s just one problem: I hate the way I look in collared shirts. We all have our strange fashion quirks and that’s just one of mine. I recently discovered that my younger sister also has the same aversion so there’s something to examine in therapy. The only explanation I can offer is that collared shirts make me feel masculine. Or, as my sister put it, “Just button it up and put a bow tie on me.”
Nevertheless, my desire to find a flannel that denies my expectations remains strong to this day. Like most romantics, I hope against hope that I will one day fall so in love with a plaid button-down that I’ll turn a blind eye to everything my past standards have taught me were wrong and we’ll ride off into the sunset wrapped in each other’s arms.
Until then, I thought I’d share a few of the flannel icons living in my head that keep this delusional dream alive…
First up, we have the poster child for grunge fashion (which I’m sure he hated). Kurt Cobain’s flannel is classic 90’s. From the pattern of the print to the perfectly worn-in, faded color of the fabric, THIS is what a well-loved flannel looks like.
In stark contrast to Kurt, we have the cute and cropped flannel Rachel Green opts for on laundry days. This one is less grunge and leans more towards what would eventually become grunge’s perfect 90’s counterpart: Clueless preppy plaid.
Somewhere in between these two, we find Bridget Fonda in Singles wearing a classic flannel cut, but with a lighter, cleaner fabric: girl next door grunge.
And finally, we have, in my humble opinion, the queen of flannel herself: Angela Chase.
I could actually see myself maybe wearing a few of these, but I think it’s because the wider lapels sweeten the deal…less room for a bow tie.
Besides, Angela doesn’t stop at the plaid button-downs…
There’s also her favorite plaid shorts…
And the ICONIC, but rarely duplicated (trust me, I’ve looked) plaid dress…
With icons like these, how could I not hold out hope that my flannel fantasy is still out there?
Stay tuned.
**Author’s Note: I realize flannel is indeed a type of fabric that may or may not be plaid and that some of these items may not technically be made of flannel, but since there’s little distinction between the two in common reference, I’m using the terms interchangeably.
*This post contains shopping links that are either affiliations that help to support this magazine or recycled clothing items which help to support the planet. ✌🏻