The History of Seersucker Suits

Seersucker is a thin, puckered, cotton fabric that’s frequently striped and is associated with warm climates. The name itself comes from the Persian words shîr and shakar, meaning “milk" and "sugar,” likely a reference to the texture of the fabric and its Middle Eastern origins. Seersucker became popular in hot climates like India during the British Colonial era and was also used for lightweight clothing during the Civil War in the United States. Interestingly, the fabric was also used to make bedding during the Victorian era! Additionally, seersucker was used by the US Marine Corps Women’s Reserve during World War II and many nurses and hospital volunteers wore seersucker outfits in a pattern later referred to as “candy stripe” during the 1940s. The fabric was also used by the working class in the American South because it was so breathable. Seersucker suits didn’t really take off until the 20th century. Around 1909, a New Orleans clothier named Jospeh Haspel Sr. began making seersucker suits aimed at keeping local businessmen comfortable in the heat (he had already been making outfits aimed at the working class with the fabric) and aggressively marketed them, even going so far as to reportedly wear one into the ocean, let it dry, and then wear it to dinner later that night. Brooks Brothers also rolled out seersucker suits around the same time. In the 1920s, seersucker suits became particularly popular in preppy circles, especially at Ivy League colleges. By the 1950s, department stores like Sears and Macy’s had begun selling seersucker suits for men. The fabric saw a widespread resurgence in the 2010s, with seersucker suits and jackets seeing a significant bump in popularity once more. Today, seersucker suits are closely associated with preppy style and with the American South. They also remain a summertime menswear staple and are generally popular in areas with hot, humid climates.