what's the consensus on seersucker suits? I like the look of seersucker suits but don't know yet if I can justify needing to buy one. I guess I'd still like to round out my suit selection and have one for all occasions, plus, the idea of wearing a darker colored suit in the summer makes me sweat just thinking about it. so naturally a lighter colored suit makes sense. any opinions? any particular brands that make nice seersucker suits?
seersucker suits
- Thread starter gaseousclay
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Think about how often you'd wear it and then decide if it's worth it. I wanted to get one but it didn't make sense for me since I'd never be able to wear it to work. A lot depends on where you live. In certain southern states, seersucker might be okay for certain work settings. In the northern states and the midwest, it's a definite no go. Do your coworkers wear it? If not, you probably shouldn't If you want a sorta casual sporty looking suit you can wear on weekends in hot weather seersucker might fit the bill. Seersucker is also nice because you can wear the jacket separately with khakis.
If you need something more professional looking for work in the hot summer weather, a poplin suit is probably a better choice since they typically come in tan, olive, and navy.
If I were going to buy a seersucker suit for myself it would be from O'Connell's. Haspel seersucker suits are probably the most popular though and can be had for $150 give or take, especially at the end of the summer season at clearance type places.
If you need something more professional looking for work in the hot summer weather, a poplin suit is probably a better choice since they typically come in tan, olive, and navy.
If I were going to buy a seersucker suit for myself it would be from O'Connell's. Haspel seersucker suits are probably the most popular though and can be had for $150 give or take, especially at the end of the summer season at clearance type places.
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In much of the country, Seersucker isn't popular, especially compared to other hot weather dress wear, like linen. I have a Haspel seersucker suit and it's very comfortable in the hot southern summer (given that it's 100 degrees outside, mind you), but I don't have many places to wear it -- my wife usually rolls her eyes if I suggest wearing it to a wedding, and I don't wear it to church often either.
I didn't want to get a seersucker suit until I was out of college because I thought I would look like a young punk trying to affect being cool, retro, or old-school. Now that I'm in my late 30s and bald, I think I can carry it off better.
But, as I said, a tan linen suit would be more universally accepted.
I wore one to the Kentucky Derby (#134) infield and got on the news... you should at least have a seersucker jacket for such events!
I agree with the others here: in certain areas of the country they are very popular through the whole summer. In New Orleans, for example, they are pretty standard business wear through the summer months. I suspect in Minnesota though it will look pretty out of place. I concur about a linen or poplin suit being a better choice for summer wear if seersucker isn't common in your area.
I think they are a little too casual. Especially because they are made to wrinkle. Wikipedia seersucker and you'll see what I mean.
However, I think they are appropriate in certain parts of the country, such as the south. So if you want to wear one, just make sure other people are wearing it too.
However, I think they are appropriate in certain parts of the country, such as the south. So if you want to wear one, just make sure other people are wearing it too.
Having grown up in the South wearing seer suckers every summer, I am a little nostalgic. They are great for a hot, humid climate, like Houston. I own two seer suckers and one poplin and wear them to court, church and the occasional summer wedding.
If you like the way they feel and look. Buy one.
If you like the way they feel and look. Buy one.
Amen to that! I have one and find it very handy:wear it as a suit, wear the jacket with either dark blue or light blue trousers or (my preference) white linen trousers. I've even worn the trousers with a solid colored jacket.
I of course wear it with my Panama hat and will sport a bow tie and braces. I can get away with the look as I am 60. I'm not sure a younger gentleman (20-30s) could get away with the look however......
I of course wear it with my Panama hat and will sport a bow tie and braces. I can get away with the look as I am 60. I'm not sure a younger gentleman (20-30s) could get away with the look however......
Hell yeah I wear a Seersucker suit! Along with gin, thunderstorms, and long days, Seersucker is one of the best things about summer.
Truly quote worthy. As I'm getting a seersucker suit tailored up now, I agree!
I bought one a year ago at Brooks Brothers for $100.00 SO GLAD I got one. Used it in may combinations as well as a suit. A Must (for me at least) for summertime. 
I typically wear my jacket with navy blue, khaki or linen pants.
Living in Boston, we do have nasty hot weather, but only for about two months. I'm going against much of the grain here, but I would say if you live in the North and if given the choice between a seersucker suit and a wool suit, I would go with the wool suit. Most suits these days are made with tropical/summer weight wool. I could see having a whole set of seersucker/linen/cotton suits if I lived farther south, but I'm in more need up here of keeping myself warm during a year than keeping myself cool.
Also, the general consensus that dark colors is hotter in the heat has been debunked. The key is keeping the material off the body (which is why seersucker keeps you cool) but it doesn't matter if the suit color itself is black or tuquoise. I think its more psychological - bright colors seem cheerier on sunny days.
And I love thunderstorms!
Also, the general consensus that dark colors is hotter in the heat has been debunked. The key is keeping the material off the body (which is why seersucker keeps you cool) but it doesn't matter if the suit color itself is black or tuquoise. I think its more psychological - bright colors seem cheerier on sunny days.
And I love thunderstorms!
Wear seersucker and cotton poplin suits all the time in DC. If you're not comfortable wearing all seersucker, Brooks Brothers makes a very nice discrete navy seersucker sport coat.
I am having a tough time deciding whether to wear both the jacket and pants to an afternoon function. Some people say it's too costume like to wear all together. I usually play it safe and would wear it with navy pants, but what the hell. It's hot hot here already, it's one of those things I've always wanted wear, and the social function seems ideal. Besides, I'm in South Louisiana. if I can't wear it here I can't pull it off anywhere.
It's like wearing a hat. Make sure you wear the suit. Not the other way around.
Jacket with White Cotton.
It is a classic. If you are south of the Mason-Dixon line you just about need one. Even if not, there are always some hot days.
I think seersucker is a good choice for a casual look - like in the picture above. I bought myself a Ralph Lauren seersucker suit few years back, but somehow I detested the idea of having... I don't know - relaxed, but still formally cut suit for which I should probably wear a tie etc. Also, the fabric itself proved too much for my obsessive compulsive tendencies - too many wrinkles.
I ended up taking the suit to a charity and bought myself a light summer suit made out of wool.
I ended up taking the suit to a charity and bought myself a light summer suit made out of wool.
