Plaid vs. Flannel — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Fiza Rafique — Updated on May 8, 2024
Plaid is a pattern characterized by intersecting horizontal and vertical lines, whereas flannel is a soft, woven fabric, often featuring plaid patterns but not necessarily always.
Difference Between Plaid and Flannel
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Plaid is a design marked by crisscrossing lines in varying colors and widths, giving it a distinct geometric look. Flannel, on the other hand, refers to a fabric known for its warmth and softness, often made from wool or cotton.
Plaid can appear on various types of fabric, including flannel, but also cotton, wool, and synthetics, making it versatile across different items. Flannel primarily describes a fabric type used in making warm clothing, bedding, and pajamas.
Plaid is a popular pattern often associated with traditional Scottish tartans and is prevalent in casual shirts, scarves, and accessories. Flannel, meanwhile, is not limited to any specific pattern and can feature solid colors or different designs.
Plaid patterns often enhance the aesthetics of the fabric they're used on. Flannel prioritizes comfort and warmth, providing a brushed, napped surface for a cozy feel.
Comparison Chart
Definition
Pattern of crisscrossing lines
Soft, woven fabric with a napped surface
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Material
Appears on multiple fabric types
Typically made of wool, cotton, or synthetics
Patterns
Distinct, intersecting stripes
Can feature various patterns or solid colors
Usage
Widely used in shirts, accessories
Common in warm clothing and bedding
Purpose
Adds aesthetic value to clothing
Provides warmth and comfort
Compare with Definitions
Plaid
A distinctive pattern of intersecting lines.
She wore a red plaid scarf that matched her coat perfectly.
Flannel
A warm, soft material often made from wool or cotton.
She pulled on her cozy flannel pajamas before bed.
Plaid
Adds a visual flair to garments.
The living room was decorated with plaid pillows.
Flannel
Features a brushed surface that enhances softness.
The flannel sheets made the bed incredibly warm.
Plaid
Often associated with Scottish tartans.
His kilt was adorned with a bright plaid pattern.
Flannel
Used in clothing, bedding, and more.
He layered a flannel shirt over his T-shirt for added warmth.
Plaid
Patterns vary in color, stripe width, and arrangement.
They chose different plaid patterns for their group outfits.
Flannel
Resistant to wear and suitable for winter attire.
The flannel jacket had seen many seasons but remained intact.
Plaid
Found on various clothing and accessories.
Plaid skirts have been in and out of fashion for decades.
Flannel
Retains heat efficiently.
Flannel shirts are perfect for chilly days.
Plaid
Short for Plaid Cymru
A budget deal with Plaid
A Plaid member of Cardiff council
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.
Plaid
Cloth, often made of wool, with a tartan or checked pattern.
Flannel
A kind of soft woven fabric, typically made of wool or cotton and slightly milled and raised
A check flannel shirt
Plaid
A pattern of this kind.
Flannel
A small piece of towelling used for washing oneself.
Plaid
A rectangular woolen scarf of a tartan pattern worn over the left shoulder by Scottish Highlanders.
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
Plaid
(textiles) A type of twilled woollen cloth, often with a tartan or chequered pattern.
Flannel
Use bland fluent talk to avoid addressing a difficult subject or situation directly.
Plaid
A length of such material used as a piece of clothing, formerly worn in the Scottish Highlands and other parts of northern Britain and remaining as an item of ceremonial dress worn by members of Scottish pipe bands.
Flannel
A soft woven cloth of wool or a blend of wool and cotton or synthetics.
Plaid
The typical chequered pattern of a plaid; tartan.
Flannel
Outer clothing, especially pants, made of this cloth.
Plaid
Having a pattern or colors which resemble a Scottish tartan; checkered or marked with bars or stripes at right angles to one another.
Flannel
Underclothing made of this cloth.
Plaid
(archaic) play
Flannel
Flannelette.
Plaid
Goods of any quality or material of the pattern of a plaid or tartan; a checkered cloth or pattern.
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.
Plaid
Having a pattern or colors which resemble a Scotch plaid; checkered or marked with bars or stripes at right angles to one another; as, plaid muslin.
Flannel
A washcloth.
Plaid
A cloth having a crisscross design
Flannel
A flannel shirt.
Flannel
Soothing, plausible untruth or half-truth; claptrap.
Don't talk flannel!
Flannel
Made of flannel.
Flannel
(transitive) To rub with a flannel.
Flannel
(transitive) To wrap in flannel.
Flannel
(transitive) To flatter; to suck up to.
Flannel
To waffle or prevaricate.
Flannel
A soft, nappy, woolen cloth, of loose texture.
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
What is the origin of plaid patterns?
Plaid patterns originated from traditional Scottish tartans.
Is flannel always plaid?
No, flannel can have various patterns or solid colors.
Is plaid a type of fabric?
No, plaid is a pattern that can appear on different fabric types.
What distinguishes plaid patterns?
Plaid patterns feature intersecting horizontal and vertical lines of varying colors and widths.
Does flannel shrink after washing?
Flannel may shrink, especially if made of cotton, but preshrunk options exist.
What makes flannel so soft?
Flannel fabric is brushed or napped to enhance its softness.
Are flannel and plaid shirts the same thing?
Not necessarily; flannel refers to the fabric type, whereas plaid describes the pattern.
Can flannel be lightweight?
Yes, flannel can vary in weight, from lightweight to heavy.
Are flannel sheets better for winter or summer?
Flannel sheets are best for winter due to their warmth.
Can flannel be used year-round?
Lightweight flannel can be worn in milder weather, but it's generally more suitable for cooler seasons.
Is plaid used outside of clothing?
Yes, plaid patterns also appear in home décor and accessories.
Does plaid only come in specific colors?
No, plaid patterns can feature any color combination.
How is flannel different from wool?
Flannel can be made from wool or cotton but is brushed for extra softness.
Are plaid and checkered patterns the same?
No, checkered patterns are simpler and uniform compared to plaid.
What are common uses for plaid fabric?
Plaid fabric is commonly used in shirts, scarves, skirts, and accessories.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-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.
