Flannel Panel

Jerod Potts
Beta Theta Pi

The question was simple: explain how important flannel is to your life. I presented the inquiry to a few flannel aficionados, (myself included), and these coffee-fueled, shark-wrestling men responded to the task without sweat; except for the perspiration they most likely worked up in their daily cage matches. Enjoy.

Josh Rich- Beta Theta Pi

Flannel is not just a shirt; it is a way of life. It is a way to express one’s self, using only six pearl snaps. If someone were to closely observe my personal use of flannel they might say that I have a slight addiction, but this would be a misinterpretation. While I will confess that my use of flannel may be considered excessive in some circles, I would classify my use of flannel as borderline lumberjack. The feeling I get when I wear a flannel can only be equated to the extreme level of comfort that a baby kangaroo feels while in its mother’s pouch. I’m not quite sure how, but I’m fairly confident that flannel could fix global warming, if it were real.

Jacob Burton - Beta Theta Pi

Ever since my father, Doug Burton, strapped me into my first flannel diaper as a baby, I knew that I was headed toward a life of granola greatness. And not 10 minutes into wearing the flannel undergarment, I knew, and my dad knew, that I had ruined it. I was a baby. Babies poop. So what? After that we decided that it was best for me to move on to flannel shirts and the rest, as they say, is history. Over the years I have managed to acquire possibly the finest collection of flannel in all of Stillwater. If you think that I am mistaken and that YOU in fact have the finest collection, then I am completely up for us going to Braums, sharing a pint of flannella ice cream, and discussing how silly you really are. Flannel is my life, babes. And I am darn good at it.

Erik Richison - Beta Theta Pi

There is a reason Jason Mraz wrote the song “details in the fabric,” he was talking about wearing a flannel. A flannel is like a piece of music; there are details such as design and originality. Anyone can wear a cross-blend blue-green flannel with pearl snaps and sleeves at a quarter roll, but are you giving a good representation of an appropriate flannel wearer? Sure does sound like it. Design and originality describes a flannel that has soft woven fabric of various fineness. Winston Churchill once said, “A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject.” Do not change your mind, and do not change the subject, be a flannel fanatic.

Adam Avey - Beta Theta Pi

To me, a flannel is not simply something to partially conceal my chest hair, but a wearable banner that tells the world that I don’t mess around. A flannel says, “Yeah, I might be walking to class, but I’d rather be wrestling a bear.” The top two buttons unbuttoned and sleeves rolled up lets onlookers know I just got done sharpening my machete... with my teeth. A well-worn flannel complements a broken-in pair of jorts like an American Zinfandel complements the smokiest Wisconsin cheddar. Facial hair is the cherry on top of a flannel sundae. A flannel not only gives its wearer confidence, but also license to wield a chainsaw. Campfire smoke is its musk, and a double bladed axe its companion. Flannel is man.

Jerod Potts - Beta Theta Pi

Dwight Schrute once said, “How would I describe myself? Three words: hard-working, alpha-male, jackhammer, merciless, insatiable.” That quote explains the general theory behind flannel. If the aforementioned visualization does not quite paint the picture in your mind, imagine a Wrangler commercial littered with domestic vehicles, football, a dog, meat, denim, the list goes on. For some, flannel is simply just another shirt to be worn so as to appear a certain way. For others, flannel is the life-blood that runs through their veins. Without it, what are we? I swung my first axe wearing a black and red pearl snap; I hunted for wild game whilst adorning the most patriotic shades of red, white, and blue. Flannel is trendy, I understand that; but the next time you are buttoning up ask yourself, am I ready to chase a cougar? If the answer is yes, God speed.

Jerod is a senior studying political science and English. You may contact him at jerodjp@okstate.edu..