The terms “flannel” and “plaid” are often used interchangeably. When we say, “I’m going to throw on a flannel,” sometimes we actually mean, “I’m going to throw on a plaid shirt,” but being that the two are often bundled together, many people don’t realize the distinction between them. So, if they’re not the same thing, then what’s the difference between flannel and plaid? 

To sum it up quite simply, “flannel” refers to the fabric of a shirt, while “plaid” refers to the pattern. This means that while you can have a plaid flannel, not all flannels are plaid, and not all plaid shirts are flannels.

While this might seem like somewhat of a trivial matter, knowing the difference between a real flannel and a simple cotton shirt that has a plaid print is necessary when attempting to dress appropriately, both for style and comfort. That being said, Next Luxury has you covered with this guide on everything you need to know about the difference between flannel and plaid shirts.

How To Tell the Difference Between Flannel and Plaid

Being that the very definitions of flannel and plaid are not in relation to one another, with one referring to the material and make of an item and the other referring to the design or print, flannel and plaid actually fall into two completely separate categories. While they are often paired together, and many stores dub all plaid shirts as “flannels,” they are not inherently the same thing. 

Whether or not a shirt is plaid can easily be determined simply by looking at it and examining the design. If the print of the shirt is composed of horizontal and vertical bands of color that form a crisscross pattern, then the shirt is a plaid shirt. Though the bands are often made of different colors and widths, plaid is virtually recognizable across the board. 

Flannel, however, can be a bit trickier to determine. Traditionally, flannel was made from wool, but in modern times cotton has become the main make of flannel.