Flannel. More than just fabric.

Since the birth of this great nation, there has been one fail-proof constant. In an ever-changing country in an ever-changing world, this alone has stood the test of time and always managed to come out on top. Where all else has been questioned, scrutinized, and sometimes dismissed, one thing has remained impervious to failure. You guessed it. Flannel.

Let's go all the way back; to when the United States of America was nothing more than a far-off dream, a glimmer in otherwise hollow eyes, an ideal that thousands were dying to defend. The location is valley forge, the general is none other than George Washington. He knows things are bad and when he goes out to pray there's one thing he takes with him. His flannel cap.

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Not even one hundred years later and our nation is up against the ropes. We're Mr. Balboa, struggling family man, and the political tension is that crazy russian 'roid man straight out of Rocky IV. In the depths of one of our nation's darkest hours, we called on one man to bring us out of it. Abraham Lincoln. Like all great men, Honest Abe knew better than to lose his head in what may appear to be a crisis. While being subjected to ridicule and scorn, Mr. Lincoln kept his cool, sent a message to the opposition, and looked great doing it in this tasteful flannel shirt. I shudder to think what would have happened if he had just worn a suit to work that day...

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Zipping ahead a couple presidencies we have a true hero on our hands. Franklin D. Roosevelt. Overcoming polio and tough political waters, FDR would serve as president form 1933 to 1945. He led our nation through crippling (no pun intended) economic conditions, WWII, and started an incredible amount of government programs to help the common man, even suggesting a second bill of rights. However, as any good Roosevelt will tell you, never go outside without your flannel scarf. You could catch your death out there.

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And so there you have it. Flannel through the ages. Great men, great style. There's just something about wearing flannel that does the soul good. To demonstrate this, I made what I believe to be a comprehensive list of Pros and Cons.

Pros:
-Flannel shirts traditionally come in plaid.
-There are pretty much an infinity of designs of plaid.
-Flannel shirts get softer the more you wear them. One of the few things that gets better with time. -Flannel shirts work miracles for your self-image, if I button up a good flannel shirt and avoid mirrors all day, I'm walking through life as George Clooney. Or Matt Damon. Or Brad Pitt. It's your choice!
-Flannel provides instant self-confidence! Try throwing on some plaid-from-on-high and not bossing around your inferiors all day. (In this context, inferiors refers to those who have not yet been indoctrinated into the flannel-family).
-I like flannel! That makes it cool, right!?

Cons:
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