The Best Women’s Flannel Shirts of 2023

Made of 100% organic cotton, the Fjord Flannel ($99) from Patagonia is an updated take on the classic flannel that’s so buttery-soft it remains our number-one choice every day of the week.

Once you put this button-up flannel on, you’ll never want to take it off. Luckily, it comes in a range of colors and washes up nicely, so you can wear it day after day.

There aren’t a lot of bells and whistles here, but that’s what we like. It’s simple, classic, and comfortable. And it’s the flannel we reach for first.

It’s also available for men — because the folks that flannel together stay warm together.

This Carhartt shirt ($29-59) remains steadfast as a favorite — and for good reason. It’s impressively durable for the price without wading into scratchy, uncomfortable territory.

A blend of cotton and spandex, it has just enough stretch to allow for moderate range of motion. You can confidently chop firewood without feeling like you’re going to blow out the shoulders.

We like that it has a relaxed but slightly tailored fit. The sleeves can feel a bit short for women with long arms. But we tend to roll our sleeves up when working, so it wasn’t an issue for us.

This shirt may not be the most technical on the list. But for less than $80 and as low as $26, it could be your perfect campfire companion.

This decade-plus old surf and travel-inspired brand recently launched its first-ever women’s apparel collection in November 2022 — and we’re totally wowed by the Alpine Long Sleeve Flannel ($89) for ladies.

Pulling this lightweight, brushed shirt on is as simple as sliding into a shawl. The shoulders are roomy without being boxy. There’s ample space for the chest, waist, and hips. Yet, the cut is femininely tailored and stylish.

Two chest pockets on the flannel have button closures. The wrists and center line are topped off with metal snaps that are so easy to close and pull open.

For being so well-constructed, comfortable, and sustainably crafted with organic cotton and polyester made from recycled plastic bottles, we’re surprised the price sits at less than $100. We won’t wait for the holidays to add another one to our closet.

Looking for a time-honored wool flannel shirt? Then you need to meet the Fjallraven Canada Shirt ($165). It checks all the important boxes. The wool blend wicks moisture, dries quickly, and naturally stays stink-free.

We’ve found it comfortable next to skin, though it doesn’t have as soft a feel as some cotton options included here. The chest pockets have buttons and are just big enough to stash a card or a bit of cash.

All in all, this flannel has quickly become a favorite for chilly campsite hangs and cold winter days. And we feel good knowing it’s helping us tread lightly by using recycled wool.

For an outdoorswoman that doesn’t want to be held back by her clothes, the Kitsbow Icon Shirt ($289) checks the key boxes for high-action days. The Icon combines the awesomeness of Pendleton wool with Kitsbow’s performance-focused design.

The articulated shoulder vents and stretch gussets allow for full range of movement and dump heat when you need it. Abrasion panels on the elbows provide extra protection but also add a fun dash of style.

We appreciate that the fit is extra dialed with tall, short, and regular length options.

This technical flannel is impressively breathable, comfortable against bare skin, durable, and made in the U.S. Some of our testers wore it nonstop for 6 months, and it still looked as good as it did on day one.

Being wool, it will keep you warm even if wet. Quality wool only has one downside, and that’s the price. But given its durability, this is a shirt you’ll own for many years.

Yes, the Icon shirt is an investment. But it’s worth it for a shirt that performs on the trail, looks good in town, and is built to last.

California Cowboy impressed us with its first run of flannels as a brand — and now they are back with more women’s options. The star of the show? The Women’s High Sierra Flannel Shirt ($168), which was recently updated with a curved side seam. This puppy is high-quality, and ticks nearly everything you could ask for in a flannel.

Luxury Portuguese flannel? Check. Thick, terry cloth thermal lining? Check. Double button-up cuffs? Check. Sunglass loop? Check. Chest pockets with buttoned flaps? Check. Hunting-inspired water-resistant, zippered security pocket? Check. Pocket for a bottle opener? Check. And yes, it even has two slide-in, divided pockets for your beer or seltzer.

This shirt also now includes a streamlined pen pocket and an interior loop for clipping your gloves via carabiner. Plus, the sleek, smooth profile of the metal alloy button was bumped up for tenacity. (If you’ve ever had your flannel buttons break on-the-fly or while being laundered, you know how key durability is.)

California Cowboy calls the High Sierra its “signature après-ski flannel.” As it was on the thicker and warmer side of all the flannels we tested, we agree it is great for colder, snowier days, whether at the slopes or hunkering down in a backcountry cabin or hut.

We also loved the fit — which is accurate, though a tad longer in the arms — perfect for keeping you covered and cozy, right down to your wrists. The High Sierra Flannel comes in sizes XS-XL, and in either checkered or plaid styles.

For a heavyweight flannel, we’re in awe of how versatile the women’s Outerknown Blanket Shirt ($148) is — and how many compliments we’ve received wearing it from guys and gals alike.

We’ve used this hefty shirt as a looser-and-boxier layering piece while picnicking lakeside, after rope swing leaps and SUPing across from sandy beach to rocky shore. While offering warmth and blocking wind, the shirt also feels breathable. Becoming a staple in our wardrobe, this design transitioned into fall and winter as a pull-on over t-shirts and tanks.

Two chest pockets secure shut with buttons and an extra button is included, attached to the interior label. Committed to developing products that are better for human and planet health, Outerknown is Fair Trade Certified and accredited by the Fair Labor Association.

Made with 100% cotton, the design is among the most sustainable on our list, eliminating the chemicals used to grow conventional cotton and improving work conditions for farmers.

Durable buttons are an important piece of any flannel but these are not only smooth under our fingers and easy to slide into place, they’re eco-friendly, too. The buttons are made from the nut of the tagua palm in South American rainforests. After the seeds fall, they’re collected by locals to be dried and cut, and the industry in turn prevents deforestation.

Topping off the intentional design, the label of the Blanket Shirt is also made from recycled material.

There are a lot of great reasons to love this flannel. Engineered to be a “cold-weather favorite,” OR’s Feedback Flannel ($95) is a great option for fall or winter. Based on our test days, the polyester fabric is the perfect thickness, although it’s a bit wide in the shoulders.

The flannel is also easy to layer either with a jacket over or a shirt underneath, which we love. The attention to detail on this shirt with the two hidden zip pockets on the torso is great. Quick-drying textile means it can withstand light exercise. And thanks to its polyester material, it’ll dry much faster than a cotton flannel.

This stylish utilitarian flannel from OR is also accessible to more ladies with the XS to 4X size range.

REI’s Wallace Lake flannel ($75) is breathable, so it’s well-suited for outdoor activity. This one’s got thinner material and feels lighter than a traditional flannel. We recommend wearing it in temps above 45 degrees or wearing a shirt underneath for added warmth.

There was plenty of room in the shoulders — extra, even — in the medium size. It’s a solid pick for those with wider hips, broader shoulders, longer arms, or larger busts. We recommend sizing down if you like a more form-fitting feel.

As a coal miner’s granddaughter, our tester digs the pickaxe accent on the top snap closure. The buttons on the two chest pockets are reinforced, as are the shirt’s side seams (with gussets where they meet the hem).

When you need a bit of extra coverage, reach for this thick and double-brushed flannel tunic by Duluth Trading Company ($70). The longer cut and drop-tail hem mean it pairs well with leggings and won’t ride up during the day’s work.

Most of all, we like how this shirt doesn’t restrict movement. With hidden underarm gussets and a bi-swing back, you can easily chop wood or reach up high without feeling like you’re about to Hulk out of this shirt.

It’s faded slightly over a year of washing and wearing, but that could be avoided if you hang to dry. Otherwise, this flannel tunic has held up well, and we haven’t had any problems with shrinking. This is a solid, hardworking flannel that gives an extra bit of coverage.

In need of an extra campfire layer one weekend, we grabbed the Legendary Whitetails Cottage Escape ($22-35) on a whim. Surprisingly, it became a mainstay. It’s a fun option if you’re excited to jump on the flannel train and are looking for a classic look and a budget price.

It doesn’t have any bells or whistles and probably won’t last a lifetime. But for less than $50, it’s a good, basic flannel. It’s available in several classic color combos and fits as expected.