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#1 2008-08-19 15:47:49
- Film Noir Buff
- Dandy Nightmare
- From: Devil's Island
- Posts: 9345
Grey flannel for you not me
Flannel in grey, navy or brown is visually appealing at least for Americans. We have a certain nostalgia for the flannel age of the 1950s and 60s. It is an easy, soft fabric that goes with our slouch and casual approach. however for suits, it is a bit hot for overheated offices and commuter trains. Also it creases easily and wears in those areas where friction abounds.
It's ashame because I like flannel. I like the look and the idea. But I cant wear it as a suit. Well, that's not quite true. I have several suits of it, mostly worsted flannel but they get hot in doors. Sure out doors on cold days, they're amazing but I'm not outside much in the winter.
I probably wont get another flannel made up except from the one or two bolts I have lying around or the Fox summer weight flannel which is like 7.5oz per metre and very porous. that might preserve the look but not the heat of an American classic.
#2 2008-08-19 16:34:24
- Will
- Member
- From: San Francisco
- Posts: 239
Re: Grey flannel for you not me
As you write, it's for me not you. I've three in my wardrobe with a 14 ounce underway. That will be followed by two more as I love the feel of the stuff. Of course, it helps that we don't heat our spaces when the temperature is in the fifties farenheit.
Will's thoughts on classic men's clothing
http://www.asuitablewardrobe.net/
#5 2008-08-19 20:50:39
- yachtie
- Member
- Posts: 843
Re: Grey flannel for you not me
With our damp cold winters flannel, is a godsend. It's easy enough to turn down the thermostat in your office 
. I wear 14-15 oz flannels in the winter and am comfortable inside ( low 60's)
#6 2008-08-19 21:52:36
- Jeeves
- The Gentleman's Gentleman
- Posts: 420
Re: Grey flannel for you not me
I have a few grey flannel suits, mostly Fox but one Minnis as well. For the most part the Fox flannel is their light weight and one medium weight. I find the summer weight works except for NYC summers but in a more temperate climate I could see me wearing it all year round. The medium weight is fine when it's cool so maybe half the year. The Minnis flannel is 13/14oz and I only wear that when I'm going to be outside in winter but it is very good then - I often wear the trousers as odd trousers in mid-winter and they are very warm.
I wish Fox would do more in the summer weight, especially the chalk stripes from their mid weight range. The problem with Fox is that they don't really hold stock so it's a bit of a lottery with what they have. I have a mid weight flannel from them that was literally the last length and wouldn't be remade for a few months. Actually it was not even a length but I bought it anyway because I loved the cloth and relied on Nino Corvato to squeeze a suit out it which he duly did.
All my flannels are charcoal or dark grey. I like blue chalk stripes as well but not blue solids. The medium weight charcoal chalkstripe is lovely and very tactile, I have had women stroking it before now - I think the fuzzy texture makes it softer and more approachable.
#7 2008-08-20 00:00:00
- The_Shooman
- A pretty face
- From: AUSTRALIA
- Posts: 13195
Re: Grey flannel for you not me
Last edited by The_Shooman (2008-08-20 00:23:47)
#8 2008-08-20 00:49:21
- Sator
- Member
- Posts: 283
Re: Grey flannel for you not me
Last edited by Sator (2008-08-20 03:35:00)
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#9 2008-08-20 08:27:45
- AQG
- Member
- From: The Sticks
- Posts: 1306
Re: Grey flannel for you not me
I'll wear flannel anytime the temperature drops below 60F outside and feel perfectly comfortable. I don't keep my house roasting hot in the fall/winter. My office has a modern, forced air system but is in an old building that leaks like a sieve, so heavier fabrics are comforting. For me, the perfect fall day is about 45F and sunny. Great for tweeds and flannels alike. On such days, I will find entirely gratuitous excuses to take a stroll to the courthouse to check my box or some similar nonsense errand.
#12 2008-08-22 10:42:23
- eg
- Member
- From: Burlington, ON
- Posts: 1499
Re: Grey flannel for you not me
I have only the one, a dark grey 3pc which I usually wear without the vest. I never wear it between June and September.
#14 2008-08-22 21:33:59
- gng8
- Member
- Posts: 16
Re: Grey flannel for you not me
One of my former bosses--a very rich and obnoxious man--had the walls of his home office done in grey flannel. After seeing the room I could never own a grey flannel suit.
#18 2008-08-23 19:59:29
- yachtie
- Member
- Posts: 843
Re: Grey flannel for you not me
Last edited by yachtie (2008-08-23 19:59:46)
#20 2008-08-23 20:09:18
- yachtie
- Member
- Posts: 843
Re: Grey flannel for you not me
Last edited by yachtie (2008-08-23 20:10:01)
#24 2008-08-25 03:48:37
- formby
- Member
- From: Wiseacre
- Posts: 8359
Re: Grey flannel for you not me
Many British stately Homes had/have silk wallpaper. Don't Holland & Sherry now offer interior decorating fabrics, or have started to offer them. FNB, could have his favourite armchair upholstered in his beloved chalkstripes, and the scatter cushions in those bold striped shirtings from Acorn. 
"Dressing, like painting, should have a residual stability, plus punctuation and surprise." - Richard Merkin
Souvent me Souvient