By Roger Stone
What do Ralph Lauren, Nautica Men’s, Paco Rabanne, Andre 3000 and Eddie Redmayne have in common? Hint, it’s fashion, it’s style, it’s retro and it’s making a huge summer comeback. Still don’t know? It’s seersucker, better known as the seersucker suit. A seersucker suit is one of the most iconic styles dating from the 1920’s and now making a huge comeback. Whether your into style or keeping up with the latest fashion, seersucker is a 10 on both those lists.
What sets seersucker apart from other materials? It’s the ‘coolest’ material to wear in hot and humid weather. ‘Coolest’, as in temperature, and ‘coolest’ as in hip baby! There is nothing like it. It’s easily cleaned, never needs pressing, and no other suit will keep the hot and humid weather off your back. Even the origin of the word “seersucker” is steeped in exotic legend. “Seersucker” comes from the ancient Persian “shir o shakkar” which translates to “milk and sugar.” The combination of smooth stripes (smooth like milk) and rough stripes (rough as sugar) morphed into “seersucker” when it became popular during the British colonial period in India as the most desired material for British officers. It’s this combination of smooth and rough which gives seersucker its trademark “pucker.” The cooling property of seersucker comes from the puckering which raises some of the fabric away from the body allowing for less skin contact and more air circulation. For years seersucker was seen primarily as material for uniforms and was widely used as such. However it made a lasting impact in the summer wardrobe of southern gentlemen starting in the twenty’s. What man of sufficient caliber doesn’t recall actor Gregory Peck in his seersucker suit in the film “To Kill a Mockingbird?”
The biggest problem with wearing seersucker has to be its rumpled look. This is because seersucker has a lack of inherent structure. It doesn’t have to be that way. According to Haspel, the original inventors of the seersucker suit, there are definite rules when contemplating seersucker. Number one is fit. Never wear a seersucker suit straight off the rack. It’s going to look shabby, and droopy. If you’re gonna wear seersucker, whether a jacket, pants or a full suit, have it fitted. A nice, custom, tailored fit makes all the difference in the world.
Aside from fit, seersucker offers a wide variety of color combinations for every occasion. Traditionally seersucker came in blue and white. With its increase in popularity, seersucker has seen a broader color spectrum such as red and tan, gray and white, navy and black, tan and white, shades of blue, and basic black. Seersucker can now be worn as shorts too. The key here is to wash them so the material loosens up, giving a relaxed look. For your suit, never wash it. Always take your seersucker suit to the dry cleaners. The cotton fabric comes out much better after a nice dry cleaning.
In choosing what kind of shirt to wear under your seersucker jacket, the choices are varied. For a less traditional look, a nice clean fitted t-shirt can look smart yet informal. For a dressier look a crisp white shirt always goes well with seersucker. Never wear a seersucker tie with a seersucker suit. This, according to Haspel is a big no-no. In picking a tie, the rule is something conservative with appropriate color and a texture that’s not seersucker. To round out your look, pick shoes with a nicely shaped toe rather than a blunt toe. For more of a way out look, a nice pair of high top chucks can be acceptable in the right situations. Remember, the key is fit. Hemline should be roughly the same as if fitting for dress shoes.
For the man who is unconcerned with fashion, a seersucker suit or sport coat carries with it a certain flair which recalls the nobility and charm of the southern gentleman. At the same time, wearing seersucker places a man in the company of such icons as Frank Sinatra, James Coburn and Gregory Peck. The look is dressy, sharp, cool, comfortable and quite the latest. For those who have known seersucker I tip my hat. For those who are new to it, I welcome you to the ‘coolness’ of seersucker.
