Friday, October 7, 2016

How To Wear A Flannel Shirt Stylishly

In last Friday's fashion post HERE, I talked about a new flannel shirt I tried to style for a fashion post but ended up scrapping the post because the pictures were so bad.  Some of you wanted to see those pictures anyway, and I promise, I will show at least one photo from that shoot.  I still plan on doing another fashion shoot with that flannel shirt if I can ever figure out how to style it to my satisfaction.  Who would think styling a flannel shirt would be so difficult?  But it is.  At least for me.

I'm going to be honest here, and even go against my usual philosophy of age doesn't matter, body type is what really counts, and say that if your young and thin you can pretty much wear anything and look terrific, especially a flannel shirt.  But when extra weight or increasing age is a factor, a flannel shirt can make a woman look frumpy fast if not styled appropriately.  And that was my dilemma with last week's post, the flannel made me look very frumpy and not stylish at all.

That being said, I still think it is possible for older women of all body types to wear flannel without looking like they are headed to the barn to milk cows.  It just has to be styled appropriately and you have to find the right flannel shirt.  The flannel shirt I'm wearing below is one I bought years ago from Modcloth .  I'm very happy with it and have worn it numerous times in these posts:  HERE,  HERE, HERE, and HERE.


So why does this flannel shirt work and other ones I have tried have not?  For one, it's very structured.  It tapers in at the waist, giving my body more definition.  It is also pleated at the shoulder keeping the shoulders more narrow and fitted but allowing fullness for the bust.  And it is a tunic, not a button down, which is more feminine.


 So how do you style a flannel shirt stylishly so you don't look like your headed to the barn?  Great fitting, polished pants, statement shoes, and accessories.

I chose a straight leg dark denim for my lower half.  I avoided anything with distressing, or a light wash for I wanted a more polished look on my lower half to balance the casual look of my top half.  I rolled the cuffs up on my jeans so my cute booties would really be noticed.


 My jeans I got from Stitch Fix.  They are by Liverpool.  Stitch Fix has the best jeans!  I don't know how they do it, but every pair of jeans I ever got from Stitch Fix I have loved.  They are always comfortable and fit perfectly!  But they are also expensive, so beware!


My off-white cut out booties I bought several seasons ago from Francesca's.  They are such a statement piece.  I get compliments on them every time I wear them.

I chose these shoes because they dress up the outfit and also because they are very walkable.  If you really want your flannel shirt outfit to look more stylish, wear heels with your jeans!  In my case, I couldn't because I was walking a lot this day and I needed to be comfortable.


Adding jewelry when wearing a flannel shirt is so important to keep from looking too casual.  Jewelry also adds a touch of dressiness to any outfit.  In this case, I chose a simple red and silver necklace (old) because it fit the exposed neckline area the best and the colors coordinated well with my outfit.


I also wore a multi-strand beaded bracelet (old) and rings.  I carried my new burgundy bag from Nicole Miller.  The color went beautifully with my outfit, and the structure and details of the classy bag brought the flannel shirt outfit up a notch.



Flannel Shirt:  Mine is no longer available but other options HERE and HERE,  Nicole Miller Kira Satchel: HERE, White Booties: Mine is no longer available but HERE is another option.

So what do you think?  Do I wear my flannel shirt stylishly or do I still look I'm ready to milk cows? How do you style flannel shirts to avoid the frumpy look?  I'd love to hear from you!

Have a Great Day!  Amy

Linking Up with these Fabulous Blogs HERE.

38 comments:

  1. This look is perfect for fall, love how you dressed up the flannel shirt with the pretty jewelry and boots. Definitely doesn't look like you're going to milk cows :-)

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    1. Thanks Elli! Glad I don't look like a milk maid! :)

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  2. Love the cut of this flannel top and those booties are too cute!

    xx, Elise
    www.sparkleandslippers.blogspot.com

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  3. So cute! The cut of the top is perfect on you and those booties are so cool!

    http://www.mylittlenest.org

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  4. I don't see any cow milking in your future! You look adorable in your plaid outfit. I can't believe you bought those booties years ago. They look great! Also, I enjoyed looking through the other posts where you wore this top. :)

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    1. Well that's good, because I don't think I'd enjoy milking cows. :) Yes, I found the booties several years ago already and knew back then they would be a great statement piece for years.

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  5. Perfect fall outfit! I love the addition of white booties. The color is surprising for fall and seems a little rebellious.....so fun

    Happy Friday!
    Carly at A Modern Mom Blog

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, I like to be a little rebellious at my age!

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  6. This flannel shirt looks great on you, and you wear it stylishly! I love it with the dark jeans and booties!
    Rachael
    www.threadsforthomasblog.com

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  7. Fab styling! Love the boots with the rolled up jeans .. and of course the plaid!!

    Thanks so much for linking up with Fun Fashion Friday!

    OXOX
    Dawn Lucy
    http://fashionshouldbefun.com

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  8. I totally get you, there are certain pieces that are more cute in your mind than in person. Flannel could be a pain in the butt and can make you look like your wearing PJ's! I like the one your wearing; it's fitted and in a great color! Love it ;)
    Thank you for linking up with Weekend Wear

    xo
    Melissa

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    1. I'm so glad you "got me", I was worried people would misread what I was saying and be offended. I do think flannel is difficult to wear, at least for me. I went hiking today and wore a flannel shirt and I saw at least three other women wearing flannel while hiking too. I think for me and my lifestyle, flannel is best worn for these type of outdoor activities. I just don't feel good about myself wearing it shopping or other social activities.

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  9. I love the shirt - the colors are so pretty, and the fit is really nice! Looking great!

    Andrea
    Andrea’s Wellness Notes

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  10. Very stylish for sure! Love the white boots. Thanks for linking up, xo

    -Patti
    http://notdeadyetstyle.com

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  11. I love that it's time to for flannel again! No I don't think you look like you're about to milk cows haha you look great!
    -Kristin
    countdowntofridayblog.com

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  12. Really cute! I always struggle with flannels, because I feel like a lumberjack... but I never feel that way when other people wear them! Glad I'm not the only one that struggles with finding cute ways to wear them:)

    I have some short, white cowgirl-ish boots that I love, similar to yours. I never thought I would like white boots so much!

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    1. Thanks, I'm glad I'm not the only one who struggles with flannel. I too love them on everyone else but when I wear it I don't like it. That's why I keep buying flannel shirts. I think I own three now! And yes, after purchasing these boots I think everyone needs a pair of white boots in their closet. When I bought them I thought they'd be a novelty item and I wouldn't wear them much, but I was wrong. I've gotten a lot of use out of them.

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  13. I hear that complaint about a lot of shirts---but sometimes a little bit of alterations can make them totally better! Would that help with your other shirt?
    You definitely look fabulous here---love the boots in particular!
    jodie
    www.jtouchofstyle.com

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    1. That's good to know, as I was beginning to think my body was deformed. I actually talked to my daughter about this. She is super thin and she has the same problem. We think it's not the width of your arms, rather the length of the arm. The tabs on a normal women's are much lower, but the tabs on a women with long arms are up so high that they are at thickest part of her arm. I also thought of altering the top myself, but I'd half to take the entire top apart to do that as it's too big everywhere but the arms. Maybe if I'm really bored this winter. :)

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  14. No milking going on here! At first glance, I thought your boots were tennies. What fun those great boots are! You were so clever to pair them with flannel and denim, and that bag is the perfect accessory. Cute E Pie!!

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  15. I really like this popover style plaid shirt and think you look wonderful in it! I have never seen booties that light shade before and think they are a great statement piece. I love wearing traditional plaid shirts and think they offer a lot of versatility to my wardrobe.

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    1. Thanks Jeannie! I love these booties...such a statement piece!

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  16. This plaid shirt is so cute! I love the color of your bag!

    Thank you so much for linking up at Grace + Lace!

    Sarah
    http://mybowsandclothes.blogspot.com

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  17. I love your flannel and how you dressed up the look! Those booties are fabulous!

    Jill
    Doused In Pink

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  18. Very cute! I think plaid can be touch to wear sometimes but you make it cute

    http://www.michellespaige.com/

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    1. Thanks Michelle, I agree, plaid can be tough to wear!

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