Awesome guys. Thanks much!

I think I checked most of the suggestions already but will check again more slowly.

Because flannel shirts are more of an interest/preference rather than a 'must-have' the 'not made in china' will be a hard rule here. Prefer USA made but will entertain other origins if the shirt is compelling. But I can't afford $150 shirts; actually even $50-75 shirts are pushing it. I typically buy shirts around $20-30. Probably why my henleys are on the thinner side?

If I can't find flannel, then I'll probably just have to get used to wearing a fleece jacket / hoodie over my henley all the time.

I didn't expect flannel to be so much more expensive than my henleys.

Do you have a Tractor Supply or other Farm store in your area? That is where I shop for heavy duty flannel work shirts. They are made for outdoor workers.

Buy at the end of the season for next year and shop the irregulars at places like Sierra Trading Post.

quote:

Originally posted by YooperSigs:
All mine are Duluth. Soft and thick. Wear well. watch their sales for good deals. Tried Carhartt but they are thin and shrunk, especially the sleeves.

I agree, all my flannels come from Duluth, very good quality and sizes for tall and bigger than average. Prices are great if you buy in the off season.

I have a ton of LL Bean flannel/chamois shirts. It is nice having an outlet under 10 minutes from the house. This is the time of year for the deals on winter clothing so I always get the deals.

They wear very well.

All of my flannels, chamois, and canvas shirts come from L.L.Beam. They are not USA made, nor are they $15-20, but they wear like iron!!

quote:

Originally posted by konata88:
Awesome guys. Thanks much!

I think I checked most of the suggestions already but will check again more slowly.

Because flannel shirts are more of an interest/preference rather than a 'must-have' the 'not made in china' will be a hard rule here. Prefer USA made but will entertain other origins if the shirt is compelling. But I can't afford $150 shirts; actually even $50-75 shirts are pushing it. I typically buy shirts around $20-30. Probably why my henleys are on the thinner side?

If I can't find flannel, then I'll probably just have to get used to wearing a fleece jacket / hoodie over my henley all the time.

I didn't expect flannel to be so much more expensive than my henleys.

For US made flannel shirts in your price range I can only suggest thrift stores and yard sales.

Are your Henleys made in the USA?

quote:

Originally posted by arfmel:

For US made flannel shirts in your price range I can only suggest thrift stores and yard sales.

Are your Henleys made in the USA?

Used to be but recently not. I think when I used to buy Carhatt, they were made in USA. But the last batch I bought were not (to my surprise). I don't buy often -- they tended to last 5-7 years. The last batch I bought was about 5 years ago. But at least they are not made in China.

I try very hard to avoid buying things made in China, especially clothes since I can generally find alternatives. For the flannel shirts, I'd prefer made in USA but would consider others origins except for China. I just didn't expect it to be this hard to find the right balance of color, price and origin given such an iconic shirt. But still combing through the sites above to see if I can find something to buy.

The Carhatt henleys are definitely thicker material than T-shirts but hoping for something a little warmer now.

quote:

Originally posted by arfmel:
Google "chamois shirts" for thick solid color flannel.

LL Bean has good ones.

Have three of these but word of warning, wash in cold and dry on low or you may find you've gained weight and your arms suddenly got longer.

I sure don't understand what some folks here are talking about. Like I said earlier, I have a bunch of flannel shirts that most all came from various Farm and Garden stores in the area. I wear these shirts everyday from late fall to spring and never paid over 25 bucks for any of them. I bet half of those shirts are easily 8-10 years old.

None are made in the US but they wear very well and are warm as hell on the cold winter days. All I am saying is sure you can spend a lot more but you don't really need to.

quote:

Originally posted by arfmel:
Google "chamois shirts" for thick solid color flannel.

LL Bean has good ones.

They are nice but sometimes they get too warm. So what I do is wear a vest during cold days and if it gets too warm, just unzip the vest.

I have both poly and down.

Forget all that stuff and start doing searches for merino wool.

undershirts, sweaters, hoodies, button down long sleeve, short sleeve, henley, crew.

Yes, you pay more for merino, BUT it requires less washing, is antimicrobial, warm wet or dry and breathes amazingly well.

And even just a nice wool sweater, too.

Ebay has a ton of used merino if you aren't too picky.

quote:

Originally posted by Bassamatic:
I sure don't understand what some folks here are talking about. Like I said earlier, I have a bunch of flannel shirts that most all came from various Farm and Garden stores in the area. I wear these shirts everyday from late fall to spring and never paid over 25 bucks for any of them. I bet half of those shirts are easily 8-10 years old.

None are made in the US but they wear very well and are warm as hell on the cold winter days. All I am saying is sure you can spend a lot more but you don't really need to.

The OP could make his life simple by taking the approach you and I do, but that apparently isn't his priority.

I'm happy if I can just find cotton shirts with one or two pockets in 3XL tall. If I was particular about what country they were made in I'd be in a hell of a jam. I was lucky this winter and found five flannel shirts that fit me and cost less than $20. They were sewn together by Asian people who probably needed the work.

Yup.

For me, for things like this, not made in China is a hard rule. Made in USA is preferred but I'd consider other countries (not China) if made in USA is not tenable. With the suggestions above, looks like made in USA will be possible here if I stretch my budget. As such, I may buy a couple of USA made shirts (if I can find my size -- the ones I'm looking at seem a bit large (sleeve length)) and then a few more that are not made in USA (but not China either).

I think my woolrich flannels are US made.

quote:

Originally posted by tha1000:
I think my woolrich flannels are US made.

Thanks - yes looking at those as well. Amazing how much a flannel shirt can cost.

I only wish I could try these on locally. Spending a lot of time reading about the product and any reviews I can find. That's the other difficult part about buying USA - expensive but buying online sight unseen.

L.L.Bean is my favorite. I've got one that must be over 25 years old. It's pretty nice so it's not a daily wear, more go to town wear. Cabelas is another place to look, I've been happy with some not so happy with others, they aren't afraid to get in some shit for a blow out price around Christmas.

You'll find there are many different weights of fabric, as well different finishes. Price can be your guide.

quote:

Originally posted by reflex/deflex 64:
You'll find there are many different weights of fabric, as well different finishes. Price can be your guide.

Yes. I'm trying to figure out whether 4, 6 or 8 oz fabric is best suited for needs. I've never bought a shirt by fabric density before. I have no idea what my henleys are (but I'd guess 4 at most).

I'm looking for these as daily wear.....

quote:

Originally posted by Echtermetzger:
Forget all that stuff and start doing searches for merino wool.

Yes, you pay more for merino, BUT it requires less washing, is antimicrobial, warm wet or dry and breathes amazingly well.

Thanks. Searching... (never used / will use ebay).

quote:

Originally posted by Aquilon:
Try Vermont Flannel Co. classic flannels. They have a dark gray (as well as solid green and blue), U.S. made, about $54.

Ugh. The mismatched pocket panels on the patterned shirts are an eyesore.