Can flannel shirts be business casual?

In a word: yes.

For those of you who want to do a deeper dive into upping your flannel shirt game, this article is for you. The flannel shirt is a timeless image for fall and winter, and we here at Lands' End absolutely love it. Men's flannel shirts might have a bit of a reputation for having a rural or woodsy vibe – and that's totally valid. But we like to think of the flannel as much more versatile. Let's talk a little about what makes flannels so special and how you can incorporate them into outfits that are totally office-appropriate.

Lands' End men's flannel shirts are made with the best materials and methods we can muster – long-staple ringspun combed cotton. Now, you might be thinking, "That sure was a lot of qualifying words before they got to cotton," and you'd be right. Each of those words is important, though, in communicating the fact that we're using quality cotton and treating it right.

The combing process weeds out shorter-staple yarn fibers that can cause weaknesses in the yarns, and therefore the final product. The remaining long-staple cotton fibers can be spun into tighter yarns that have fewer loose ends and spots that would encourage fraying. Those yarns can then be ring-spun, which makes those strong yarns even stronger. All of this comes together in a tighter-woven – and therefore stronger – cotton flannel that wears better and will last longer. We then brush our flannel on both sides for a softer feel inside and outside – where it counts.

So, we're dealing with some pretty special shirts. And certainly anything special can be dressed up, right? But how to pull it off just right?

We love a flannel shirt with a good pair of flat front chinos. Men's chinos these days are best worn in a fit that's slim, but not skinny. A slimmer leg is flattering and makes you look a little taller, which is an added bonus.

A good pair of men's pants is only the first option, though. Let's say you're looking to stick with your trusty denim. Men's jeans in a darker wash look much more professional – leave all that fading, pre-distressing and embellishment for the weekend. Dark wash jeans look more like chinos, and they help elevate and showcase the rest of your outfit.

If you go with jeans, try tucking in that flannel and throwing on a necktie and a sport coat. In this case, the flannel will act more like a men's dress shirt, but with more warmth and coziness than any alternative. People across conference room tables will admire your sartorial prowess, and you'll be feeling great all day. After all, your confidence and comfort is what this is all about.