Who Knew Seersucker Would Become Water Cooler Talk?

By: Taft Matney

So last week, I expressed my disappointment in the fact that the US Senate discontinued “Seersucker Thursday.”

I also said, “I’m not going to turn this in to a column about when it (seersucker) should be worn, if you should wear socks with it, or what kinds of shoes and belts should be worn with it (although if you want to know, email me at taft@crescentmag.com, and I’ll give you my two cents).”

A lot of people accepted that invitation.

One of the most comprehensive questions came from a former South Carolina mayor.

He wrote:

OK, Mr. Seersucker promoter, you volunteered to share your opinion about the appropriate seersucker “accessorizing,” so answer these questions I’ve always asked myself as I aggrandized myself in my “sucker suit.”

1. Proper tie for Southern Gentleman? Bow or not? Solid or striped? Same hue as color of suit or contrasting complimentary? Paisley?
2. Leather; Black or brown belt and shoes? Tan/brown or Walnut/brown? White buck? Tan buck? White belt with white buck?
3. Socks, or no socks? Color?
4. Braces? Color? Clip or button?
5. Shirt; White or blue? Solid or striped? Oxford button-down collar or spread collar?
6. Pocket square? Matching tie or contrasting tie?
7. Boxers or briefs?

Wearing a seersucker suit is a very complicated thing and should not be taken lightly by a true Southern Gentleman. That’s why I rarely wear one. Because I’ve often observed you dressed in the classic sky blue version and looking sharp, I look forward to your carefully considered and seriously presented reply.

By the way, great job with CRESCENT!

D.W.

I promptly responded.

Ah, you came to the right place, Mayor. Yes. You’re right. Wearing a seersucker suit is indeed something that should not be taken lightly by a true Southern gentleman, but it isn’t complicated.

1 . Proper tie for Southern Gentleman? Bow or not? Solid or striped? Same hue as color of suit or contrasting complimentary? Paisley?

For me, I go with a bow. As long as the colors don’t clash with the suit, don’t worry about it. Let the tie be an extension of you and an outward expression of your personality. Let the tie say something about who you are.

2 . Leather; Black or brown belt and shoes? Tan/brown or Walnut/brown? White buck? Tan buck? White belt with white buck?

For shoes, if you go with leather, go with black. If you go with bucks, go with white. Never go brown. For a belt, depending on the shoe, go black or white. If you’re in shape (i.e. skinny), go with a grosgrain ribbon belt. I used to be able to do that.

3 . Socks, or no socks? Color?

I try not to wear socks from April to November unless I have to. I hate them, but if you must wear them with your seersucker, stick with black, white, or something really off-the-wall so that your socks can speak like your tie (NOTE: Don’t wear funky socks and a funky tie at the same time. Wear one or the other.).

4 . Braces? Color? Clip or button?

Thank you for calling them “braces” instead of “suspenders.” Always go with the button variety, and while I know I don’t have to tell you, there are some other folks who need to know this. Don’t wear braces and a belt together.

5 . Shirt; White or blue? Solid or striped? Oxford button-down collar or spread collar?

Stick with a solid white spread collar oxford. It offers the most versatility. Only go to a button down if everything else it dirty or if you aren’t wearing a blazer/jacket/sport coat/suit coat.

6 . Pocket square? Matching tie or contrasting tie?

Ditch the pocket square with the seersucker suit. The suit’s material has enough inherent personality. It doesn’t need that as an accessory.

7 . Boxers or briefs?

As my son would say, “Whatever tickles your peach. That’s a personal call only you can make.

I do have the classic blue as a suit, and I also have a pair of pants with thin orange stripes. Aside from the classic look, when it’s a typical South Carolina summer with 100 degrees and 100% humidity, seersucker is about being comfortable.

Thank you for reading CRESCENT, D. W. I really appreciate it, and I can’t say it enough. It truly means a lot. South Carolina is so much more than national media would have people believe. I just want to help tell our story. CRESCENT is becoming a great vehicle to do that, and we’re looking forward to watching it grow.

Thanks, D. W. I hope I answered these questions OK.

Taft

He let it all sink in.

Well, I’ve been doing EVERYTHING wrong! I appreciate your feedback. I’ll take your advice and go shopping for all the cool stuff. I see a bow tie with cool pastel stripes in my future.

You may use all of my inquiry if you think it may help others like me, who love the tradition and comfort of the seersucker suit.

You don’t need to ask me to continue reading CRESCENT. I do it enthusiastically. You’re doing a great job of writing about  informative and entertaining subjects that are interesting. I hope it’s a great success.

D.W.

Thanks to D.W. and to everyone else who asked. Hopefully, this helps answer most other questions about wearing this time-honored staple of Southern wardrobes.

I also want to say to everyone reading this the same thing I said to D.W. Thank you for reading CRESCENT. I really appreciate it and can’t say it enough. It truly means a lot.