Wearing a flannel shirt in a The Row-way and not a lumberjack-way

I clarified in the title that this spring I'm wearing a flannel shirt in a very much The Row-inspired way, as opposed to a lumberjack-in-a-Netflix-original-film esque just in case you were unsure, obviously. Saying that there's something slightly romantic (and comforting) about an oversized flannel shirt that conjures imagery of fresh air, remote cabins and someone, most likely called Blake, chopping firewood. Okay so I don't necessarily fit into either one of those - I'm much more likely to be breathing in underground smog than fresh countryside air, I'm not quite sure my house passes as a 'remote cabin' (although does being down a cul-de-sac count?) And I'm also not a man called Blake. 

Still, the appeal of a good old fashioned flannel shirt - and more broadly of plaid - goes well beyond its wilderness explorer connotations. Designers like The Row, Bottega Veneta and Dries Van Noten have all offered up iterations of check this season that - of course - feel less rustic and more refined. Although my flannel shirt might not have the same three-figure price tag as said designers, it's still perfect for pairing with any pair of jeans and sandals. 

For spring/summer 2025 your flannel shirt needs to be slightly oversized, with a muted or tonal check, so it can act as a soft tailoring piece - worn buttoned up with a wide leg trouser, or with a low-heel. Another way I'd style a flannel shirt is by wearing it open over a white tank top and satin midi skirt, cinched with a belt to add shape. For shoes, I think the slip-on Adidas Taekwondo trainers are a great modern shoe to pair it with. 

Texture is also important too. Brushed cotton may make for an interesting contrast with silks or linen, however it can look quite dated. I personally prefer to anchor my outfits with floatier pieces that are thinner for those sunny spring days where you don't need to rely on its thickness and warmth.

It's also worth considering colour. Arguably the classic red and black check will always have its place, but softer, more neutral colours feel just that bit easier to integrate into the modern wardrobe. Washed blues, greens and greys offer a more refined take that still will go with just about everything. 

What I'm essentially trying to get at here is that a flannel shirt doesn't necessarily have to be a novelty piece or a throwback to teenage years spent loitering round parks with nothing but a pair of trusty Vans and a Smirnoff Ice. It's easy, reliable - and with the right styling - genuinely elevated too. Whether layered, buttoned, belted or borrowed-from-someone-else looking, you might just find that a flannel shirt fits into a spring wardrobe more seamlessly than you might've first expected.