Flannel shirts symbolized manly pride and independence, chopping wood and building fires, self respect and an honest day's work.

Flannel was originally made from carded wool or worsted yarn, but is now often made from either wool, cotton, or synthetic fiber.

The fabric itself can be traced back to 17th century Wales. Textile workers in the late 1600s began using a surplus of sheep's wool, using a process called “carding” to disentangle and soften yarns.

Flannel, already utilized during the Civil War as a cheap, tough material for soldiers' undershirts and simple four-button coats, easily found a place as the ideal fabric for workmen; it was used to make one-piece union suits (long underwear) and work overalls for railroad and construction workers.

Essentially, “flannel” simply refers to any cotton, wool, or synthetic fabric that fulfills a few basic criteria: Softness: Fabric must be incredibly soft to be considered flannel. Texture: Flannel has either a brushed or unbrushed texture, and both textures are equally iconic.

The popularity of flannel in cold climates can be attributed to its warmth, comfort, and versatility. Flannel is a soft, warm fabric made from wool or cotton. It is thick enough to provide insulation but light enough to be comfortable even in the coldest of weather.

But the flannel, the fabric, has been around since the 17th century. It was woven by the wives of Welsh farmers, who had been spinning wool yarn for centuries and eventually found that if you brush the wool on both sides it becomes much sturdier. This created a thicker more industrious fabric.

The world's oldest preserved garment, discovered by Flinders Petrie, is a "highly sophisticated" linen shirt from a First Dynasty Egyptian tomb at Tarkan, dated to c. 3000 BC: "the shoulders and sleeves have been finely pleated to give form-fitting trimness while allowing the wearer room to move.

The flannel itself has not changed its look - the resurgence of this trend can be attributed to a new way of styling. Flannels are no longer just a casual option for your camping trip or morning coffee run - they're the star of an elevated outfit.

Flannel clothing would hold up against harsh weather and arduous work. The gritty images of railroad workers and lumberjacks in plaid flannel shirts working on these massive projects were popularized through the media and became synonymous with the American prospector.

Flannels is an upmarket fashion store that was launched as a menswear store in Knutsford, Cheshire in 1976, but since then it has expanded into being a luxury retailer for men, women and children.

All of L.L.Bean's flannel is made in Portugal with long-staple cotton. The Ultrasoft Comfort sheets, which are made with a 5-ounce flannel, are thick, plush, and a joy to slide into on a cold night.