Flannel Shirt Comparison

Here at Father Style, we will periodically do product reviews/comparisons/breakdowns. I view these items through my “Dad Lens”: Is this stylish, comfortable, and practical specifically for dads? As fathers, we have limited free time and an even more limited capacity for nonsense, so I hope this helps you make informed purchasing decisions.

Today we will discuss flannel shirts. There are about a million choices out there and almost every menswear company sells some sort of version of a flannel shirt. And honestly, 9 times out of 10 you probably won’t go wrong as long as the shirt fits you, is comfortable, and fits into your budget. But I would like to compare and contrast flannel shirts from two of the largest and best known clothing brands: L.L. Bean and Lands’ End. 

L.L. Bean has a handful of different flannel shirt ranges, but the version I will discuss today is their Organic Flannel. The Lands’ End flannel I will discuss is their Flagship Flannel. The L.L. Bean is on the left (black and grey check) and the Lands’ End is on the right (tan, white, blue check). Let’s break it down…

1. Features

Pockets: L.L. Bean has two button-secured flapped breast pockets while Lands’ End has one pocket on the left breast with no flap. For this kind of shirt, I prefer the double flapped pockets. More storage for the 3-year-old’s race cars and snacks and the security of the button flap means less chance my name will come up in a therapy session when he is 30 because Lightning McQueen fell out of my pocket and into a lake. If you intend to wear your flannel under a sweater, however, you may opt for the Lands’ End version, since the pockets on the Bean shirt add a bit more bulk.

Collar: L.L. Bean is a spread collar while Lands’ End is a button-down collar. You won’t be wearing a flannel under a sport coat, so unlike an OCBD, you don’t need to worry about the structure of the collar under a tailored jacket. Basically, in this case, the spread versus BD collar is simply a matter of preference. Again, if you want to wear this shirt under a sweater, the BD collar is probably your best bet.

Locker Loop: Lands’ End has a locker loop on the back of the shirt. The loop on the L.L. Bean shirt is on the inside of the shirt on the back underneath the collar. I don’t think I have ever used a locker loop in my life (I just fold up my clothes and stack them on top of my gym bag). In terms of functionality there is really no difference here. It’s really just a personal preference on whether you like the loop on the outside or the inside.

2. Weight and hand feel

Both shirts are very soft, but L.L. Bean knocks this one out of the park. I own five Lands’ End Flagship Flannels but after I purchased an Organic L.L. Bean flannel for my wife I needed to have one for myself. This is in no way a knock on Lands’ End, though! The Flagship is very soft as well, but the cotton is slightly thinner which makes it feel a little less luxurious. Because of this, Lands’ End tend to wear a little cooler and is a little bit better as an “all season” shirt, or a shirt you can wear around the house. Given its weight, L.L. Bean feels more appropriate for outdoors or if your house is drafty. 

3. Pattern Options

Plaid is plaid and there will always be a million options for color with pretty much any company you choose. If you like tradition, L.L. Bean tends to do actual tartans (Stewart, Campbell, etc), which is a nice consistency from year to year (ie you can always get the pattern you like). Lands’ End changes up their patterns each year but it is really hit and miss. The benefit here is that you have many options to find something you like, especially if you are looking for something a little different. My L.L. Bean shirt is a black and grey buffalo check while this particular Lands’ End shirt is a tan/blue/red/white plaid that I realize kind of looks like I bought a knockoff Burberry shirt on Canal Street (disclosure: I didn’t and I actually quite like this particular pattern, as it’s different from my other blue and green flannels).

4. Fit and Sizing

Oh, L.L. Bean. I will never understand exactly how they come up with their sizing. I stand 6 feet tall and my weight fluctuates between about 187 and 205 pounds depending on how much I am eating or lifting at the time. In almost every company, I am a Large. Sometimes I can get away with a “Large Tailored” or “Large Slim”. For some reason in L.L. Bean I am a “Medium Slightly Fitted”. Even a “Medium Traditional” is too big and you can forget about anything in a Large. For whom is their “Large” made? Ents?! Anyway, long story short, L.L. Bean sizing is a little off. Lands’ End is always spot on, I find. 

With that being said, my L.L. Bean shirt is a medium, slightly fitted and my Lands’ End shirt is a Large Tailored Fit (there isn’t a huge difference between their Tailored and Traditional fit when it comes to the Flagship Flannel, just a bit more room in the body). L.L. Bean feels a bit more structured and has a longer hem for better tucking. Sleeves on both shirts are spot on with Lands’ End having slightly narrower cuffs. The less structured feel of the Lands’ End shirt makes it feel a bit like a pajama shirt, while L.L. Bean feels a bit more like an overshirt. If you intend to wear it untucked, go with Lands’ End. If you want to tuck (and I recommend you do for a number of reasons I’ll go into in a later article) then go with L.L. Bean.

5. Price

This is the big one. Right now, L.L. Bean’s Organic Flannel shirt is on sale for $55. Lands’ End Flagship Flannel is on sale for $28. Now, that’s not such a huge difference but at the end of the season, Lands’ End Flagship Flannels can sometimes be had for much less than that. Last summer I bought three for $8 each! Did I NEED them? Of course not. But they were quality shirts at a fantastic price and I wear the hell out of them.

Conclusion

Gun to my head, I would go with the L.L. Bean Organic Flannel. It’s buttery soft and I always find myself reaching for it over all my other flannels (which also include some heavy Woolrich numbers). If you only buy one, pay a little more and go with L.L. Bean, If, however, you need a few because you are especially hard on your shirts (work, recreation) then Lands’ End might be for you due to their unbeatable price. Honestly, you can’t go wrong with either.