Looking your best shouldn’t have to mean being decked out in heavy formalwear. Let’s face it—being a sweaty mess is never a great look.
This is part of the enduring appeal of seersucker, the lightweight puckered fabric made so easily recognizable by its thin pinstripes. If you’ve worn seersucker before, you know these stripes of alternating smooth and course texture are great for offering a little bit of ventilation and breeze, keeping you cool even on hot days.
Seersucker looks sharp, but it can easily be dressed down for casual occasions. And although men have been the ones who have worn seersucker throughout centuries past, it’s becoming increasingly popular with women in recent years.
Seersucker started out as the formal attire in cultures where it was known to get very hot, such as British India and the Southern United States. Today, it’s better suited for smart-casual dress codes or festive-formal occasions, such as a beach wedding. The puckered fabric, in addition to providing ventilation, is more forgiving of wrinkles, so you never look sloppy even if your attire gets a little rumpled in the heat and humidity (which is more than can be said about linen).
Here are a few recommendations on how to wear seersucker this summer:
Men shouldn’t be afraid to incorporate seersucker suit separates into a more casual outfit. What’s most important is that the pieces fit well, as the puckered texture can make seersucker slightly bulkier. If possible, opt for slim-fit pieces or get them tailored.
Pair the seersucker jacket with a white Oxford shirt and either dark-wash jeans or chinos. Wear the seersucker pants with a crisp white T-shirt or a pale-colored polo shirt, and be sure to cuff the pants twice to expose some ankle.
In a casual setting, seersucker can be paired with boat shoes or loafers; in smart-casual settings, go for a classic look with white bucks.
It’s best to always wear seersucker with light colors (white, ivory, or pastels) and fabrics associated with summer, even when you’re dressing it up—go for a linen shirt and a knitted silk tie.
Seersucker had its moment with women last summer after designer Cecilie Bahnsen released dresses and separates that took Instagram by storm (@ceciliebahnsen). But even before then, savvy ladies knew how to incorporate what was traditionally a menswear fabric into their outfits.
One of the easiest ways for women to make use of seersucker is with a blazer or suit coat—either find one that is made for a woman’s body or get a man’s coat tailored. It’s easily paired with a T-shirt and shorts or capri pants.
If you’re feeling creative, keep your clothing in light colors (think pastels) and make the outfit pop with bold-colored jewelry and accessories (Kelly green, lemon yellow, or royal blue).
But that seersucker jacket can work for women on dressier occasions too. If you’re going out for a summer evening and worried the weather might get a little chilly, instead of grabbing a cardigan, grab that seersucker blazer to toss on over your sundress.