Mastering Elegance
Why the Grey Flannel Trouser is a Wardrobe Essential
As we all know, in the world of fashion, as in the world in general, trends shift as often as the seasons. Let’s all recall (or maybe not) that It was only 10 years ago that wearing tight, skinny jeans was socially acceptable. Fast forward to 2024, classic fuller trousers are in and the skinny look is a relic of the turn of the 21-st century.
Elegance, however, is not a trend. Elegance and style are transcend time; they are not a matter of money, but a matter of taste, and thats what Critt always taught, and a message that we at Crittenden are here to preach to more people--you can look great and invest in a quality wardrobe that you can wear year after year, without forking over your whole paycheck.
Often, men look into starting their journey into elegance but hit a wall when trying to figure out where to start: where to get the correct information (everyone claims to have great quality and fit, and theres a real learning curve in men’s tailoring, eg suits and sportcoats) especially in an online shopping world where garments may look good in a photo, but be questionable quality upon unboxing, how to build a proper wardrobe, or simply how to tie a tie or which color shoes to invest in (because lets face it—a decent wardrobe is an investment, thought we at Crittenden try to take some of the sting out of that with our lower markups and truly excellent quality.)
Our team at Crittenden Rawlings is dedicated to help you over that wall, cutting out the gatekeeping that makes the fashion world so difficult to understand, and helping every man have the same starting advantage in the style game (mixing some metaphors but you get it...)
To that point, our Crittenden blog will detail how to build an elegant, stylish, cool, practical, and yes, affordable, wardrobe, starting with one of the most important fall/winter basics that will make you look like you were to-the-manor-born, the grey flannel trouser.
The Grey Flannel Trouser
A trouser made of this soft, luxurious yet sturdy woolen fabric is the most important fall/winter trouser in a man's closet. The start of any man's journey to elegance should start with a pair of grey flannels. A pant that has withstood the test of time and is still as classic and functional as it was when it was first brought to the scene, beginning of course, in the UK several centuries ago as a workman’s cloth, and refined and made more stylish over the years, being worn by cricketeers and other sportsmen in the traditional white flannel (which we will be carrying at Crittenden for Spring 25), especially at Oxford and Cambridge in the early 20th century, and evolved from there. Grey, whether light charcoal or a darker charcoal color, became popular because of its more practical nature, and its ability to coordinate with many tweeds and sportcoat colors.
- Whats so special about flannel, and why do I need it? Flannel is the best way to get that relaxed, confident, elegant look. It is milled (meaning washed and finished after weaving) so heavily that it is nearly felted, taking on a dense brushed look and soft yet sturdy feel (called “hand” in the fashion business) and the finer flannels are produced in weights that drape, hold shape, and tailor beautifully. Its rich look, beautiful drape and softness gives you the look of a serious yet successful person.
- Is this the same flannel that makes soft work-wear shirts? Yes and no. Yes, in the sense that the flanneling process is similar, but no in that the shirts are usually cotton flannel, and suits and trousers are always made of sturdier wool.
Originally popularized on cricket pitch, flannel grew in popularity around the 1920s in England due to its ideal nature for casual clothing: it was elegant looking and soft enough to drape well, yet sturdy. To add to the allure of the flannel pant for your modern wardrobe, it's the perfect option for the fall/winter weather due to its weight. It's heavier than your typical worsted or high-twist wool trouser fabrics, and often, you will find it woven with wool and cashmere, making it even more luxurious and elegant.
The appeal of versatility is the final brushstroke to this work of art of a cloth. Even though flannel has become well-worn in C-suites and boardrooms since the mid-20th century, its origins as a workman and sporting cloth mean you can get away with looks you cant with other dress trousers. You can of course dress them up, even for evening, pair with a navy sportcoat or blazer (we will explain the difference in an upcoming post…) and a crisp white shirt, and a brown suede derby shoe, a look we recommend investing in straightaway, as its among the most useful in your wardrobe—but you can even put on a tee shirt and a pair of Chuck Taylors or boots with your flannels and look great. Thats real versatility and why grey flannels are on our list for your wardrobe staples. Whether it is a wedding, a party, dinner out, or a more serious occasion like a meeting, or funeral, the grey flannel stands alone as the only fall/winter trouser that fits every occasion while looking timeless, elegant and seriously stylish. Pair it up with a black turtleneck or a crisp white buttoned shirt and you'll be on your way to an A+ in Elegance 101.
Check out our Grey Flannel Trouser offered at Crittenden Rawlings right now; they sell out every season, so get them while you can (good news: we will begin stocking our Wardrobe Essentials year round in Fall 2025…): Our beautiful mid-weight flannel, the original flannel chosen for the Crittenden line by Critt himself in 2003, is 100% supersoft wool, woven in Italy.
Crittenden Signature Grey Flannel Trousers, $225.
Crittenden: Wear Something Worth It.