Who says the '90s are dead? This Fashionista proves that even in 2012, any college girl can channel her inner-Kurt Cobain. I love the way that she effortlessly combines so many classic looks together in one. Her use of feminine wedges, edgy flannel and sophisticated eyewear all work to create a look which is both casual, yet speaks volumes more than any yoga pants and a sorority tee combination ever could. Personally, flannel is my go-to for a casual look. I love to throw on an oversized flannel or denim shirt over a pair of leggings for a look that says “casual” without saying “sloppy.” Flannel is like a universal language. In Colorado you wear it to keep warm in the snow, and in California I’ve come to learn that it’s a beach bum’s essential. I never fail to see flannel in all fashions, so it’s no wonder that this Fashionista employed the staple piece in this outfit.
What I love about flannel, and subsequently this Fashionista’s use of it, is versatility. J. Crew seems to feature flannel every fall in a way that is sophisticated and polished. As I said before, flannel is universal. It comes in all colors and therefore can be paired with neutrals, neons and everything in-between. This fall, I would love to see more flannel shirts come in boyfriend shapes and paired with high-waisted pants or shorts. This is a style which can be masculine one day and feminine the next. And I love the way that this Fashionista played up both ends of that spectrum for her look.
While I could go on and on about my love of flannel forever, every style must know its bounds and limits; and flannel is no exception. This is a piece where the manta “less is more” must be strictly kept in mind. Flannel is a focal point, not a backdrop. It must be paired with subdued footwear, such as leather riding boots, neutral TOMS, or strappy sandals. It cannot be put with a pair of elaborate patterned shorts, or be worn over a screaming top. Neutrals and solids work best with flannel, but can always be played up in that “all-American” way with a pair of denim cutoffs or more '90s-grunge with a long skirt or pair of leggings. My final piece of flannel-inspired advice is to pay attention to shape; if you go for a looser-boyfriend fit, counter-balance that with tighter pieces elsewhere. Inversely more fitted flannel can be experimented with more generously, and thus can be paired with a flowing skirt or looser bottom.
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