Freeport, ME, September 10, 2021
The Best of L.L.Bean Flannel: Meticulously Brushed, Soft to the Touch
As a New England outdoor company, cold weather apparel and gear are what we do best. Because when you live in extreme elements, thoughtful layering is key to comfort and warmth. For many years, flannel has been a must-have for outdoor enthusiasts, known for its ultra-warm, soft and moisture-wicking properties – ideal for layering during cool and cold months. These qualities are what have made L.L.Bean’s exclusive flannel collection a best seller for more than 80 years.
L.L.Bean’s famed flannel can be traced back to 1921, when the Guide Shirt first appeared in the company’s mail-order catalog. It was L.L.Bean’s first flannel garment, selling for $5.00 in six colorways. The flannel design featured horizontal and vertical lines intersecting at 90-degree angles – a requirement for a true plaid pattern. Perhaps the most recognizable flannel plaid that was offered in 1921 and still to this day is the red-and-black check – officially known as “Rob Roy,” the original safe color worn by hunters in the woods.
The Guide Shirt marked the first use of flannel in L.L.Bean apparel, appearing in the company’s 1921 catalog.
Since 1921, flannel products have continued to be among L.L.Bean’s most popular, offered in everything from apparel to bedding to outdoor gear. Most well-known is the company’s premium flannel collection: Scotch Plaid Flannel. This exclusive flannel is unique because each Scotch Plaid pattern – or “tartan” – is registered in the Scotland Registry of Tartans and must meet strict pattern layout requirements.
Moreover, all L.L.Bean Scotch Plaid Flannel is made in a family-run mill in northwest Portugal in order to source the country’s world-renowned brushed flannel. There, all cotton flannel is meticulously woven to achieve strength and durability, brushed eight times on each side and given a "touch test" by a master weaver to declare it soft enough.
Authentic tartan swatches as shown in the Scotland Registry of Tartans, which serve as inspiration for L.L.Bean’s Scotch Plaid Flannel collection.
As with all L.L.Bean products, durability and functionality are key, and that remains true for our award-winning flannel collection.
Here we’ve compiled some of our flannel favorites, from apparel and footwear to bedding and gear. So when chilly weather arrives, you have everything you need to stay warm and comfortable in a material that is designed to last.
Shirting
Outerwear
Denim
Sleepwear
Footwear
Bedding
Gear
