CALIFORNIA FLANNEL SHIRTS

Brave Star Selvage: Los Angeles-based Brave Star Selvage is my favorite denim brand.  Their flannel shirts – while not as perfect as their jeans – also are excellent.  My black-and-red flannel earns more double-takes than any other item of clothing I own.  It fits well, the fabric is substantial and warm, the colors are deep, and it’s held up well to wear and washing.
 

American Giant: San Francisco-based American Giant claims to make The Perfect Hoodie.  I bought one.  It is.  They also make a “work shirt,” which really is a well-cut flannel-genre fleece shirt designed for urban wear. 

North Face: Alameda-based North Face makes pretty much everything an outdoors-enthusiast could want, including flannels.  Judging by everything I’ve bought from them so far, they probably make their flannels really well. 

Espinoza’s Leather Company: Rosemead-based Espinoza’s is a family shop that makes custom-tailored clothing for motorcyclists, including some nice-looking flannels.

Patagonia: With Ventura-based Patagonia, you get what you pay for.  What you pay is a lot.  What you get is exactly what you want.  Patagonia’s gear and clothing looks great, it works perfectly, and it is manufactured as ethically and sustainably as reasonably possible.  I do not yet own a Patagonia flannel.  But I do own a broad cross-section Patagonia clothing and gear, all of which may very well last me forever. 

Chrome: When I lived in the real Bay Area (i.e., the Bay Area in which you can see the Golden Gate and/or Bay Bridge with minimal effort), Chrome was the most ubiquitous brand of messenger bags and backpacks.  Now, they've expanded their line to include everything a bike-messenger-type urbanite needs for day-to-day living, including flannel work shirts, which are made in a San Francisco factory.

Volcom: Orange County-based Volcom is a one-stop shop for skater/surfer/snowboarder fashion, from flannel shirts to board shorts to two-piece suits.  Because they target skaters – who shred clothes quickly, no matter how high quality – I did not expect Volcom to put much effort into the second-thing-to-go elements of clothing construction.  After all, why double-stitch a garment that’s going to be rags within weeks regardless?  But I was pleasantly surprised.  A few years back, I bought a Volcom button-up. It was a good purchase.  The shirt had a clean silhouette, but with slightly skewed seams that bent people’s eyes just enough to prevent them from looking past me.  And – because I do not lead a tear-through-fabric lifestyle – it lasted for years.

AG Jeans: Los Angeles-based AG made its name designing flattering and socially conscious jeans, which my wife has worn happily for years.  They also make flannel shirts.