By Lauren Zazzara
Staff Writer
The ‘90s are back, and with them come flannels.
Flannels are easy to style, and they instantly make an outfit cooler, grungier and more laid back. Flannel is a warm material, meaning you won’t be shivering as you go to your 8:30 a.m. class in 30-degree weather.
Girls have many ways to style flannels. Obviously, they look great with jeans. Skinny jeans will help to balance out an oversized flannel, whereas a pair of flares will take a more fitted flannel. For shoes, channel back to the ‘90s with a pair of Converse or Doc Martens, or make your look a bit more refined with a pair of simple black flats or short ankle boots.
Flannels are typically dressed down, so try pairing one with a dress or skirt for an unexpected twist. A flannel buttoned to the top would look adorable under a solid-colored sleeveless dress. Or, wear it over the dress and knot it at the waist to turn the dress into a skirt. You can also wear it like a jacket by leaving it unbuttoned. For skirts, go all-out grunge with a maxi-skirt, or make it more modern and subtle with a miniskirt. I love how flannel and leather make a tough look, so try tucking a flannel into a faux-leather, A-line skirt for a feminine silhouette.
You can also make your flannel an accessory by wearing it as a belt over jeans, a skirt or a dress. This look is low-maintenance but adds interest to a plain outfit.
I love to pair flannels with messy hair and dark lipstick to channel the grunge look and vintage or bohemian accessories add to the nostalgia.
Guys can pair flannels with almost anything. A pair of darker, more fitted jeans helps dress up a flannel. A looser, light-wash pair looks more casual, and with distressing, caters to the I-couldn’t-care-less-how-I-look aesthetic of grunge.
Most stores offer flannels at this time of year. I prefer to look in thrift stores for them because I find that the material is generally more substantial for a lower price, but stores like Forever 21 have many fairly cheap options. Another tip: I prefer men’s flannels for girls, because they have a looser and more relaxed shape.
Have fun getting cozy in flannels this fall!
Zazzarlm13@bonaventure.edu
