Flannel is a soft, medium-weight cotton fabric that has a napped, fuzzy, finish on one or both sides. This napped finish either comes from brushing or from its characteristic loose weave. Its soft, cozy feel makes it the perfect fabric to keep you warm and comfortable all winter long.

Flannel is a loosely woven fabric known for being soft and warm. While originally made from worsted yarn or carded wool, flannel is now made from wool (called wool flannel), cotton (called cotton flannel fabric), or even synthetic fibers.

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 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. This allowed for a softer fabric that still retained the toughness of wool.

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.

In addition to being durable and warm, flannel is also amazingly comfortable. This fabric has a soft, almost velvety feel that makes it pleasant to wear all day long. That's why so many people choose flannel shirts as their go-to option for casual wear.

What Is Flannel? Flannel is a type of fabric crafted from loosely woven fibers. Flannel sheets are often made with cotton, but they can also be made from wool, fiber blends, or synthetic fibers like polyester.

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.

We all know that a flannel shirt is a staple when it comes to casual men's style. It's masculine, it's comfortable, and it's a classic look that has stood the test of time.

What is flannel used for? The flannel fabric is used to produce clothing, such as shirts, sweaters, vests, cardigans and much more, but also for household items, especially bed linen, such as sheets and blankets. As it is a very warm fabric, it is generally reserved for the autumn and winter seasons.

And like cotton, flannel is breathable: it allows air circulation and helps wick away moisture from your skin. Most of us would agree that flannel also feels exceptionally warm. Cotton sheets, by contrast, promise the maximum amount of air circulation, and can actually help you stay cool in the heat.

cotton Flannel shirts can be worn all year. In spring and summer it is best to wear a flannel that is lightweight and made with 100% cotton. Lightweight flannel shirts weigh below 5oz/sq yard of fabric. For fall and winter it is best to choose a flannel shirt that is heavyweight, weighing 7oz/sq yard and above.