[Mike B]

I've always been a fan of the LL Bean Scotch Plaid Flannel Shirts...

https://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/422...=12-516735-505538&feat=505538-GN3&csp=a&pos=1

...for the patterns, the material and the construction. The only problem was that the sizing was way off for me (I'm 6' and 140 lbs.). The traditional fit was almost hilariously big and the 'slightly fitted' version was a only little bit better.

Last year I purchased the 'dress gordon' slightly fitted flannel and it looked ok as long as my pants also had a fuller cut.

Then, when I got one of the fall LL Bean catalogs, I saw that they had new slim fit Scotch Plaid Flannel shirts this year.

https://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/124...12-516735-505538&feat=505538-GN3&csp=a&pos=12

Around Christmas, I purchased the 'Macbeth Old Colors' pattern in the slim fit. The sizing suited me much better. The measurements came very close to a custom made flannel I got from Ratio Clothing.

Here's the comparison for a size Small (this is after one wash of the Slim and a full season of washes on the Slightly Fitted):

Chest 21" (SF) 19.25" (SL)
Shoulder 18" (SF) 16.5" (SL)
Length from BOC 29.75" (SF) 29" (SL)
Collar Point Length 2.25" (SF) 2.5" (SL)

 

[xcubbies]

Have you noticed that the weave of the Scotch Plaid shirts has gotten looser over the last two years?

 

[Mike B]

No, the two shirts I've got are about the same.

 

[xcubbies]

No, the two shirts I've got are about the same.

When did you buy them? I noticed the difference in shirts from two years ago, relative to the ones I've owned from over ten years ago.

 

[Mike B]

I bought one shirt in 2019 and one shirt in 2020 so you've got a longer perspective than I have. My main draw for these shirts is the patterns that LL Bean uses. The cloth is probably mid-range based on other flannels that I've had.

 

[Old Road Dog]

I was gifted two Bean flannels this Christmas and found them to be of high quality and good fit. When looking at their flannels, don't forget their Signature line, which sometimes features archival patterns, colors, and sewing details.

I won't buy the current button-downs from Bean. The BD collars have too short points for my taste. In fact, LLB should take a look at all of their collar cutting patterns, as they are crudely shaped. A shirt collar/neck band has to fit the cylindrical neck, but the collar itself has to fit the neck, but also conform to the curved transition to the shoulder/chest. Beans shirt collars don't do this well, especially when short collar points are buttoned to the shirt front, as their button-down collars are especially "stingy".

That said, Beans shirts, in my opinion, are still excellent value when compared to the competition.

 

[xcubbies]

I was gifted two Bean flannels this Christmas and found them to be of high quality and good fit. When looking at their flannels, don't forget their Signature line, which sometimes features archival patterns, colors, and sewing details.

I won't buy the current button-downs from Bean. The BD collars have too short points for my taste. In fact, LLB should take a look at all of their collar cutting patterns, as they are crudely shaped. A shirt collar/neck band has to fit the cylindrical neck, but the collar itself has to fit the neck, but also conform to the curved transition to the shoulder/chest. Beans shirt collars don't do this well, especially when short collar points are buttoned to the shirt front, as their button-down collars are especially "stingy".

That said, Beans shirts, in my opinion, are still excellent value when compared to the competition.

Gee, I've never considered the pattern of my flannel shirts. Maybe I should put more thought into it.