The Flannel Shirt Edit

We promise there are plenty of deep cuts to follow, but starting a flannel roundup with anyone but L. L. Bean just felt wrong. On the budget-friendly end of the spectrum, they're an industry favorite for good reason, made from high-quality Portuguese cotton that's always deliciously soft. This rendition has an easy, relaxed fit, ideal for layering and wearing open before temps plunge. Even better, there's a wide range of colorways to choose from, all big tartans in the iconically Scotch style.

Moving to the heftier side of things, this burly Yosemite shirt simply screams Cabin Weekend. Its unique yarn structure means it gets softer with every wash but doesn't shrink in the dryer, giving it the ability to age gracefully that makes it a true mainstay. The Burnt Toffee color has warm red overtones without going into Christmas territory, but it's also available in solid colors like Navy and Soil if you want to go pattern-less.

For a style that's often light on bells and whistles, even the smallest departures can have eye-popping effects. Take the oversized sleeves and cuffs on this Free People plaid top, which make it feel bold and graphic combined with the oversized striping. True to the brand's origins, it's got a relaxed California cool that can be styled in all kinds of ways -- it may say "so long, summer," but it's versatile enough to play all year.

U.K. brand Percival always surprises and never misses, so leave it to them to populate plaid striping with smaller houndstooth. Though it's branded as a workshirt, it's tailored and fitted in a way that feels high-fashion, made from Italian wool that gives it both softness and weight. It's another Percival banger that's astoundingly affordable for its quality, an eye-catching pattern that can stand on its own or pop plenty as a middle layer. 

Besides L. L. Bean, Pendleton is the other flannel mention that's practically obligatory. But that doesn't make their products any less exciting, as no one makes a more comfortable shirt than this renowned blanket brand. Pair that texture with a relaxed "boyfriend" cut and you'd be forgiven for thinking you were stepping out in your pajamas. With half of their colorways on sale for essentially half-off right now, the Indigo/Ivory Plaid gets our pick for must-have of the season.

The longer you look at this Wax London stunner, the more details you'll find. While the larger stripes seem to be made of uniform square tiles at first, they reveal themselves to be zigzagged with diagonal threads for multicolor weaving throughout. The shirt is truly awash in color, but brought back down to earth through clean white stitching and neutral corozo nut buttons. There are other colors on offer, like Marine Beatnik and Brown Dusk, but the Multicolored Pike is the piece de resistance. 

A womenswear piece designed like vintage men's flannel, prAna delivers the thrift-store aesthetic with the bonus of brand-new materials. It's long and breezy enough to look cool as hell buttoned up – check that full-length, looping hem that looks like an untucked dress shirt. As great as the front pocket is, the shirt's secret flex is the hidden internal pocket on the left side. Perfect for sunglasses, chapstick, and other fall essentials.

Wellen's Lichen Yellow Plaid is one of our favorite color options on the men's side, a warm, inviting tone that only makes us want to use the word "buttery" more. That's exactly how we'd describe the texture too, a surprising achievement considering 40% of the fabric is recycled polyester. Still, it's been brushed on both sides to save you that breaking-in period, and beckons to be part of your next beach bonfire or long Sunday hike.

We love the slightly structured way this flannel hangs from the shoulders, bringing a little chicness to what's often a casual fit. The pink-leaning Red Check is a uniquely delicate color combo, and the pattern lines up so well on the pockets that they practically blend right in. As with all Quince products, the price savings are huge and so are the environmental perks: their Global Recycled Standard-certified yarn makes a big dent in diverting plastics from landfills and oceans. Plus, in an offering that's practically unheard of, the shirt is available for free return for a full 365 days.

Yes, Uniqlo makes "basics," but they're favorites with the fashion crowd for a reason. Their products are always made excellently even at their mass-production scale, and are timeless enough to be styled and worn in a million ways. They do angular, geometric designs particularly well, so a big, boxy checked pattern plays right into their strengths, with a crowd-pleasing cut that's practically guaranteed to be flattering. At their consistency and price point, they're a brand that rewards the "get one in every color" approach.