Referencing

10/5/23

Research

3/5/23

Academic writing/referencing

26/4/23

Academic research 

22/3/23

Gender identity and representation

8/3/23 Week 6:

SUBCULTURE​
Subculture

1/3/23 Week 5:

COMIC​
Comic

22/2/23 Week 4:

DECODING ADVERTISEMENTS
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Decode advert

15/2/23 Week 3:

RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN WORDS AND IMAGES
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Anchorage

8/2/23 Week 2:

WRESTLING
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The study of signs within a society

1/2/23 Week 1:

THE HISTORY OF FLANNEL JACKETS

The flannel jacket is a staple to all nineties grunge lovers, rising to popularity when bands at the time adopted plaid flannels into their stage attire. Their popularity continued to grow throughout the early 2000s with the hipster movement incorporating the item into their wardrobes. The bold pattern was constantly meeting new people, with it now being worn by a whole range of communities, and even being a staple in many peoples camping attire.

Whilst the plaid flannel rose to fame in the grunge scene, it can be traced back to late 17th century Wales. Due to the harsh winter climate of the Welsh mountains, farmers began to use leftover woollen offcuts from their sheep farming to create thick jackets. These flannels then became an essential part of their uniforms, being warm, comfortable, and non-restricting. Overtime, these jackets popularity spread outside of Wales, becoming a pinnacle of the working class in England and France.
These warming jackets then spread in popularity when they were imported to the United States during the twentieth century. Due to their benefits and relative cheap production cost, they were incorporated into the U.S. soldiers’ uniforms.
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Whilst most flannel jackets have a plaid or gingham pattern, not all jackets with this pattern can be categorised as flannel. Flannel refers to the texture of the jacket and materials used, whilst plaid can be printed onto a range of fabrics. Flannel was originally woven using carded wool or worsted yarn, but now is typically made using cotton and wool, or sometimes synthetic fibres. Flannel is an extremely soft fabric, which comes from the processes of napping and brushing the material after it has been woven on both sides.

​I wish I could say my jacket originates back to the late 17th century, or even the 90s grunge scene- but sadly mine was actually bought at a vintage charity shop in Glasgow last year. Despite not knowing the true origins of flannel jackets, I actually chose this jacket for very similar reasons. I was going to a Phoebe Bridgers concert at the Barrowland Ballroom, which was a 40 minute walk away, and only had shorts and a t-shirt to wear. I picked up the jacket because I knew it was warm, whilst remaining lightweight, and wouldn’t fall to pieces after a few washes.

Even though I wasn’t aware of the original purpose of flannel jackets, I think it’s interesting that I chose it for the reasons I did. Especially with it being the first one I have owned that is made of actual flannel material, whilst my previous ones have just been plaid pattern printed onto cotton!