For years now, fashion prognosticators have been predicting that plaid, and specifically plaid flannel, was going to be the it thing for the Fall for menfolk, as if it had slipped from the consciousness of all those who, as every Autumn materializes, ease into the soft embrace of a perennial favorite. Chilly mornings, brisk afternoons, and cold nights can all be made warm and cozy with the addition of a little flannel. This year, however, it is time to update that old favorite with something a little more high-tech and free swinging.
The Crosscut Flannel Shirt from Duluth Trading Company is the update, and after weeks of wearing and washing, I can say without hesitation that it is an update well worth checking out. Why? Because while your old favorite may have been “good enough,” your new favorite is so much better. The material, thanks to the addition of some sweat-wicking polyester, is 25% lighter than your average cotton flannel. This blend helps keep the garment dry, and therefore warm, without sacrificing any of the flannel goodness we’ve come to love about this kind of shirt.
Duluth Trading Company, however, didn’t stop with just improving the fabric. They added elastane gussets that are tucked away behind vertical darts in the back of the shirt as well as diamond-shaped armpit gussets to maximize overall reach and freedom of movement. The chest pockets are compartmentalized to hold small items such as pens, a cell phone, and your favorite Field Notes notebook, and they are topped with hook and loop secured flaps to keep the gear in and the crud out. Best of all, instead of average buttons, which are obviously intended for an average shirt, Duluth Trading Company has added oversized buttons that give this shirt the look of a jacket and make it very easy to button and unbutton the shirt, even with gloved hands.
Improving a favorite can be a risky endeavor, but Duluth Trading Company has done it successfully with their Crosscut Flannel Shirt. The material is better, the fit is better, and the shirt is better. For more information or to make a purchase of the Crosscut Flannel Shirt, click here.
**Full disclosure: This shirt was provided at no cost for the purpose of testing/reviewing. To think otherwise would be silly.
