Are flannel shirts business casual?
In our modern age of ever-looser dress codes, keeping up on what is now considered business casual is almost a full-time job in itself. Among the most common queries, we receive is the question of whether or not flannel shirts can be considered business casual. And the answer to this question is, "it's complicated."
Rather than responding with a hard "yes" or "no" to the question, we believe it can be answered in degrees. Whether or not a flannel shirt can be considered appropriate for business casual wear can change depending on the workplace, the flannel shirt in question, how you plan to wear that flannel shirt, and more. If you take the time to consider the questions below, we feel confident that you'll find the answer you are looking for.
What does business casual mean at your workplace?
There's no dictionary definition for business casual. In fact, its interpretation can vary widely from one office to the next. For some workplaces, business casual means a twinset worn with dress pants. For others, it can be as simple as a fitted women's blouse worn with chino pants.
If your workplace happens to fall closer to the first instance, it may sit more comfortably on the "business" side of business casual. If it sounds more like the latter, you may consider yourself to be operating closer to the "casual" end of business casual.
In offices where the first example is the norm, wearing a flannel shirt may be too dressed down. But if your own workplace sounds more similar to the second example, wearing a flannel shirt may be something you can experiment with.
What kind of flannel shirt are you wearing?
While flannel shirts will always exist on the more casual end of the spectrum, not all flannel shirts communicate the same level of casualness.
It's a misconception that all flannel shirts must be plaid. In fact, not only do solid-colored flannel shirts exist, but they will also be the more formal of your options. By contrast, flannel shirts featuring plaid patterns fall on the more casual end of the spectrum, but just how far they dip into casual territory depends on the plaid itself.
Plaids that feature a white or cream among their color have a less casual appearance and are sometimes even referred to as "dress plaids" for that reason. Plaids that feature darker colors and a larger scale of pattern are pushed into a more casual zone (if you want to picture the most casual of plaids, imagine the classic buffalo plaid).
What are you wearing your flannel shirt with?
Of course, flannel shirts don't exist in a vacuum. Even if you opt for a flannel shirt in a dress plaid, you won't find yourself in business casual mode if you wear it with light-washed denim.
Because wearing a flannel shirt places you in the more casual territory from the very beginning, consider incorporating more formal clothes into the rest of the outfit to make up the difference. For instance, pair that previously mentioned dress plaid with a pencil skirt or a pair of wide-legged slacks, and any questions about whether your flannel shirt dips too closely into the casual side of things should fall away.
What kind of accessories are you using?
Something that can really help elevate a casual outfit is accessories. For example, pairing a black leather handbag with a black and white flannel and dark pants will give the outfit a much more polished look. So, stick with neutral classy handbags when wearing flannel to the office. Of course, you can always add jewelry like necklaces, bracelets, and earrings to also dress your flannel up more.
What shoes are you wearing?
Your shoes can have a huge impact on the look and feel of your outfit. It can really dress your plaid up or down. So, don’t wear sneakers or anything on the casual side while wearing a flannel. Opt for a pair of simple heels, or wedged ankle boots to take your outfit to the next level. Stick to neutral-colored shoes to keep it looking more dressy, as well. This simple change can make a huge difference on how polished you look.
What will the day be like?
Perhaps the very first question you should ask yourself before deciding to wear a flannel shirt to the workplace is what your working day has in store. The best days to experiment with the dress code are the days you can count on being routine. But if the day happens to have a special occasion, an important meeting, or outside guests, you may want to save your flannel for another day.