Duluth Trading Company’s Free Swingin’ Flannel Untucked Shirt

Ideal flannel mid-layer for fall and winter

Digging out a suitable autumn shirt from my closet can mimic a bad episode of the Three Bears. One shirt’s too cold, one shirt’s too hot, and that one, the one all the way in the back of the closet, that shirt fits horribly, never held up, lost its buttons, and should just get scrapped. Fortunately, I have a new addition to the closet, a flannel shirt with long sleeves (and a longer name), Duluth Trading Company’s Men’s Free Swingin’ Flannel Untucked Shirt. This shirt is just right.

Made out of 100% cotton flannel, the Duluth Trading Company Men’s Free Swingin’ Flannel Untucked Shirt is soft, attractive, and a bit unique in my closet since my other flannel shirts are plaid. I like the more low-key solid navy shirt I tested because I can wear it for a night out, visiting a local art gallery and getting some pizza with friends.

I really appreciate that this shirt is available in so many size options (which I will list at the end). I’m 6′ 4″ and found a comfortable fit in the XL Tall shirt. Not too fitted, not too baggy. I love that the extra-long sleeves actually cover my wrists. The button-down collar, reach gussets, shoulder pleats, hidden chest pocket, and back locker loop all skew towards function and comfort. The 5/8” buttons are dark brown, blending well with the navy fabric, and are slightly larger than usual. I really appreciate this small detail because the larger buttons are easier to fasten and unfasten, especially when my hands are cold. The button holes are very sturdy, too, with tight, secure, zig-zag stitching and durable thread gauge. I have washed and dried the shirt many times, and the fabric did not shrink in any noticeable way. Easy care is important to me because I don’t have time for special care instructions.

Right now, the Sierra’s aspen trees are exploding in color, and while nighttime Northern Nevada temps drop towards freezing, the afternoons can be 50 degrees hotter. Crazy! It’s perfect weather for the Duluth Trading Company Men’s Free Swingin’ Flannel Untucked Shirt. I wear it under an insulated jacket for morning walks through frozen aspen leaves, then remove the jacket when the sun gets too warm.

The shirt is the first thing I grab when a short-sleeved t-shirt would be too cold. Most often I wear it for muddy trips into town for groceries and other errands. I was happy to be wearing it when I had to take my dog to the vet on a dreary, wet day. When your best friend is getting his nails clipped ,and he’s looking at you with the “why me?” look, it’s comforting to feel warm and protected from the cold.

The best things about the Duluth Trading Company Men’s Free Swingin’ Flannel Untucked Shirt: how soft and durable the fabric feels, how comfortable the flannel shirt feels, and how attractive it looks. That’s rare in a work-style shirt.

Details

Available in men’s and women’s styles and in a variety of sizes and patterns. The men’s Free Swingin’ Flannel Untucked Shirt is available in four styles (Slim, Standard, Relaxed, and Untucked) and several sizes, including, M, L, L Tall, XL, XL Tall, 2XL, 2XL Tall, and 3XL.

Colors/Patterns include: Navy, Amber Orange, Navy Rustic Plaid, River Rock Heather, Coal Multi Plaid, Bright Red Check, Smoked Hickory Canoe Print.

The women’s Free Swingin’ Flannel Untucked Shirt is available in regular and plus sizes, XS-XXL, and in ten colors/patterns, including: Antique White Forest Check, Muted Teal Summit Plaid, Muted Teal Summit Plaid, Muted Teal Summit Plaid, and more. The women’s shirt is also available in tunic length.

$54.50 (some styles on sale for less) at Duluth Trading Co.

Main image created with images from Duluth Trading Company website.