Creative (Stylish!) Designs With Cotton Flannel Fabric

Cotton flannel fabric is generally reserved for cuddly pajamas—cue those winter time memories of hot chocolate by the fire—but this year the fabric is getting a makeover.

As summer neared an end, we started to see a heavy dose of plaid in stores and on the most fashionable celebrities (think Gwen Stefani and Victoria Beckham). Then New York Fashion Week came in a flurry and delivered more inspiration for the classic print. In other words, there’s no better time to cozy up to some cotton flannel fabric for both your high-style and low-key apparel needs.

A simple button-up can be paired with a tweed skirt for an office-worthy ensemble like these sets from Brooks Brothers and J.Crew.

Lengthen that pattern to create a blousy shirtdress like this tie-waist number from GAP. Wear it with boots for a cute country twist or brown ballet flats for a city-chic feel—it could easily become your errand-running weekend staple.

And who doesn’t love the no-fuss fabulosity of a one-piece like this Harvey Faircloth romper? The brilliance of this (aside from the total avoidance of having to think about matching in the morning) is it can be pulled off by you or made micro for your niece.

But hey, let’s not forget that cotton flannel doesn’t only come in the form of lines and checkers. This floral Elizabeth and James blazer breaks all the rules and voids any preconceptions about the limitations of the fabric. You can get even more creative by mixing and matching prints and textures like this Free People top.

So when you’re stocking up on your cold weather fabrics this round, keep these fun all-season ideas in mind, especially the cotton flannel fabric!