What We're Wearing: All Seersucker Everything

Crinkly and cool, sweat doesn’t stand a chance in this fit

Leon Hedgepeth

Courtesy

August 4, 2023

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Seersucker is a classic warm-weather fabric and one of the coolest you can wear this time of year—literally. Typically made from cotton, it's woven in such a way that threads bunch together, giving the fabric a crinkly, crumpled appearance. The benefit? This allows air to flow more freely and prevents it from sticking to your skin. The name derives from the Persian phrase “shir-o-shakhar”, meaning “milk and sugar” for the alternating textures.

While the style has more recently become synonymous with southern fraternities and horse racing, the old school fabric is getting new life breathed into it thanks to some modern menswear brands. Which is why we're pulling together a whole fit from the stuff. I know—how much seersucker is too much seersucker? There's no such thing. Besides nylon being a go-to summer choice, I'd choose seersucker over linen easily. It's cool and comfortable, a lot more durable, and the stripes of texture act like camouflage to hide any wrinkles.

Dressing in all-seersucker looks sharp, but proportions and diversity of colors are fundamental. The classic striped blazer is a must, and paired with a navy short-sleeved shirt is ideal. Of course, with the shirt, make sure it's more tailored and not boxy since it'll be going underneath your blazer. If you want to lose the blazer and rock the top, it's still tailored enough to look good tucked or untucked with some navy trousers. It's important to note that aside from the blazer, the look should be more tonal, and although it's all neutral, the fabric itself is lightweight and breathable. Regarding the accessories, the classics are that for a reason. Beat a pair of Vans up each summer and re-up for the following season. I love a juxtaposing look of well-traveled shoes with a more tailored vibe. The hat is also in a seersucker fabric but microscopic, so the dark prints will complement and bring the rest of the kit together.

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Seersucker blazer, $1,065 by Drake's

Julio seersucker vacation shirt, $139 by NN07

Pleated seersucker trouser, $345 by Sunspel

Authentic sneaker,$60 by Vans

MK-1 Sky King watch, $178 by Timex x Todd Snyder

Ribbed socks, $10 by A Day's March

Broadway sunglasses, $385 by Garrett Leight

Seersucker canyon cap, $55 / $37.75 by Gramicci

Seersucker blazer, $1,065 by Drake's

Julio seersucker vacation shirt, $139 by NN07

Pleated seersucker trouser, $345 by Sunspel

Authentic sneaker,$60 by Vans

MK-1 Sky King watch, $178 by Timex x Todd Snyder

Ribbed socks, $10 by A Day's March

Broadway sunglasses, $385 by Garrett Leight

Seersucker canyon cap, $55 / $37.75 by Gramicci

Believe it or not, although the fabrics seem tough to clean—a cold, gentle wash and hanging to dry is all you need. The fabric is cotton—all of which has been preshrunk in the manufacturing process—so there will be minimal to zero shrinkage. Once it’s finished drying, it’ll be a bit stiff but give it a few shakes and it will feel good as new.

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