Flannel vs. Wool — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on May 9, 2024
Flannel is a soft, woven fabric typically made from wool or cotton, known for its warmth and comfort, whereas wool refers to the textile fiber obtained from sheep and other animals, prized for its durability and insulation.
Difference Between Flannel and Wool
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Flannel, a fabric, often features a napped finish which gives it a soft feel, ideal for clothing and bedding. Wool, in contrast, is a fiber that is spun into yarn before being woven or knitted into fabric.
Flannel is frequently made from wool, but can also be produced from cotton or synthetic fibers, providing versatility in texture and warmth. Wool, on the other hand, is inherently warm and water-resistant, making it suitable for colder climates.
The production of flannel involves brushing to create extra softness, which adds to its comfort as a material for winter wear. Whereas wool’s natural crimp helps it trap air, enhancing its insulative properties without additional processing.
Flannel garments are typically lightweight and breathable, making them comfortable for use in a range of temperatures. Wool garments are generally thicker and used for their superior warmth, particularly in outdoor apparel.
Due to its soft texture, flannel is preferred for casual wear and homeware like sheets and pajamas. Conversely, wool is favored in formal and outdoor wear due to its durability and ability to retain heat even when wet.
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Comparison Chart
Material Type
Fabric
Fiber
Common Use
Casual clothing, bedding
Outdoor clothing, formal wear
Warmth
Moderately warm, varies with base
Naturally high insulating properties
Texture
Soft, napped finish
Can be coarse or smooth, crimped
Water Resistance
Low to moderate
High, retains heat when wet
Compare with Definitions
Flannel
Lightweight and breathable, making it suitable for various uses.
Her lightweight flannel blouse was ideal for the spring weather.
Wool
Used extensively in the production of heavier clothing, carpets, and upholstery.
The wool carpet in the living room added a touch of luxury.
Flannel
Often used in the making of tartan clothing, sheets, and sleepwear.
The flannel trousers were comfortable and stylish.
Wool
Can absorb moisture up to 1/3 of its weight.
Wool socks are great for hiking as they absorb sweat and keep feet dry.
Flannel
Now commonly made from either wool, cotton, or synthetic fiber.
The child’s flannel pajamas felt soft against his skin.
Wool
Fiber obtained from the coats of sheep and certain other animals.
The wool sweater was thick and warm.
Flannel
Known for its softness, flannel is brushed to create extra comfort.
The brushed flannel sheets were perfect for chilly winter nights.
Wool
Wool garments are known for their durability and ability to retain shape.
Her wool coat lasted for several winters and still looked as good as new.
Flannel
A soft woven fabric, originally made from carded wool or worsted yarn.
She wore a flannel shirt to stay warm during the fall hike.
Wool
Wool fibers are crimped, elastic, and can retain a lot of air, which makes them insulating.
Wool blankets are excellent for keeping warm in winter due to their insulating properties.
Flannel
Flannel is a soft woven fabric, of various fineness. Flannel was originally made from carded wool or worsted yarn, but is now often made from either wool, cotton, or synthetic fiber.
Wool
Wool is the textile fibre obtained from sheep and other animals, including cashmere and mohair from goats, qiviut from muskoxen, hide and fur clothing from bison, angora from rabbits, and other types of wool from camelids.Wool consists of protein together with a small percentage of lipids. In this regard it is chemically quite distinct from the more dominant textile, cotton, which is mainly cellulose.
Flannel
A kind of soft woven fabric, typically made of wool or cotton and slightly milled and raised
A check flannel shirt
Wool
The fine, soft curly or wavy hair forming the coat of a sheep, goat, or similar animal, especially when shorn and prepared for use in making cloth or yarn
Harris tweed is made from pure new wool
Flannel
A small piece of towelling used for washing oneself.
Wool
The dense, soft, often curly hair forming the coat of sheep and certain other mammals, such as the goat and alpaca, consisting of cylindrical strands of keratin covered by minute overlapping scales and much valued as a textile fiber.
Flannel
Bland fluent talk indulged in to avoid addressing a difficult subject or situation directly
A simple admittance of ignorance was much to be preferred to any amount of flannel
Wool
Fabric or yarn made of this hair.
Flannel
Use bland fluent talk to avoid addressing a difficult subject or situation directly.
Wool
Hairy or downy material on a plant or animal, as on certain caterpillars.
Flannel
A soft woven cloth of wool or a blend of wool and cotton or synthetics.
Wool
Filamentous or fibrous material similar to the wool of a sheep or other mammal.
Flannel
Outer clothing, especially pants, made of this cloth.
Wool
The hair of the sheep, llama and some other ruminants.
Flannel
Underclothing made of this cloth.
Wool
A cloth or yarn made from the wool of sheep.
Flannel
Flannelette.
Wool
Anything with a texture like that of wool.
Flannel
(uncountable) A soft cloth material originally woven from wool, today often combined with cotton or synthetic fibers.
With the weather turning colder, it was time to dig out our flannel sheets and nightclothes.
Wool
A fine fiber obtained from the leaves of certain trees, such as firs and pines.
Flannel
A washcloth.
Wool
(obsolete) Short, thick hair, especially when crisped or curled.
Flannel
A flannel shirt.
Wool
Yarn, including that made from synthetic fibers.
Flannel
Soothing, plausible untruth or half-truth; claptrap.
Don't talk flannel!
Wool
A resident of a satellite town outside Liverpool, such as St Helens or Warrington. See also Yonner.
Flannel
Made of flannel.
Wool
The soft and curled, or crisped, species of hair which grows on sheep and some other animals, and which in fineness sometimes approaches to fur; - chiefly applied to the fleecy coat of the sheep, which constitutes a most essential material of clothing in all cold and temperate climates.
Flannel
(transitive) To rub with a flannel.
Wool
Short, thick hair, especially when crisped or curled.
Wool of bat and tongue of dog.
Flannel
(transitive) To wrap in flannel.
Wool
A sort of pubescence, or a clothing of dense, curling hairs on the surface of certain plants.
Flannel
(transitive) To flatter; to suck up to.
Wool
A fabric made from the hair of sheep
Flannel
To waffle or prevaricate.
Wool
Fiber sheared from animals (such as sheep) and twisted into yarn for weaving
Flannel
A soft, nappy, woolen cloth, of loose texture.
Wool
Outer coat of especially sheep and yaks
Flannel
A cotton fabric with a thick nap on one side, resembling flannel{1}; it is used, e. g. for underwear or sheets; also called flanellette.
Flannel
Garments made of flannel, especially underwear.
Flannel
A washcloth.
Flannel
Humbug; nonsensical or evasive talk.
Flannel
Insincere flattery or praise.
Flannel
A soft light woolen fabric; used for clothing
Flannel
Bath linen consisting of a piece of cloth used to wash the face and body
Flannel
(usually in the plural) trousers
Common Curiosities
Can wool be dyed easily?
Yes, wool fibers absorb dyes well, which makes them available in a wide range of colors.
What is the environmental impact of producing flannel?
The impact varies depending on the material used; wool flannel has a higher environmental footprint due to sheep farming, while synthetic flannels impact the environment with plastic use and microfiber shedding.
Is flannel always made from wool?
No, flannel can be made from wool, cotton, or synthetic fibers.
What makes flannel different from other woven fabrics?
Flannel is uniquely brushed to raise fine fibers, creating a distinctively soft finish.
Are there hypoallergenic options for flannel?
Yes, flannel made from synthetic fibers or finely woven cotton can be hypoallergenic.
What is the lifespan of wool garments compared to other fibers?
Wool garments typically have a longer lifespan due to the durability and elasticity of the fibers.
How should wool garments be cared for?
Wool garments should generally be washed gently or dry-cleaned to avoid shrinking and maintain their texture.
Why does wool feel itchy to some people?
Wool fibers can be coarse and stiff, causing irritation to sensitive skin.
How does the weight of flannel compare to other fabrics?
Flannel is generally medium-weight, making it heavier than fabrics like cotton voile but lighter than heavy wools.
Can flannel shrink after washing?
Yes, especially if it's made from cotton or wool and not pre-treated to prevent shrinking.
Why is wool preferred for winter sports attire?
Wool’s moisture-wicking properties and ability to retain warmth when wet make it ideal for winter sports.
What types of wool are there?
There are several types, including Merino, lambswool, and cashmere, each with unique characteristics.
What is the thermal insulation property of flannel?
Flannel provides good thermal insulation due to its napped texture, which traps air and retains body heat.
Is flannel suitable for formal wear?
Typically, flannel is considered too casual for formal wear, being more common in casual and comfort-focused clothing.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
