In 1996 Mississippi Senator Trent Lott began an annual tradition in Congress called Seersucker Thursday, a bit of bi-partisan frivolity that paid homage to the pre-air-conditioned days of Capitol Hill. It lasted until 2012, when the idea of politicians remaining cool for one day in the hot summer was deemed frivolous. It returns this year on Wednesday, June 11, under the name National Seersucker Day.
Congressman Bill Cassidy (R-LA) recently entered a proclamation in the Congressional Record stating, “Seersucker Day was established to honor this unique American fashion. I wish to restart this tradition by designating Wednesday, June 11th as National Seersucker Day. I encourage everyone to wear seersucker to commemorate this iconic American clothing.”
Haspel, not surprising, is all over this, issuing a press release that contains the following:
Seersucker has a long-standing place in the halls of the Capitol. In the days before air conditioning, seersucker was a stylish necessity to battle D.C.’s summer heat—and political hot air. That tradition waned, but in 1996, Mississippi Senator [R] Trent Lott initiated an annual tradition in Washington to honor a simpler time when there was more charm and playfulness in Washington attire. For the better part of two decades, members of the House and Senate dressed in their best and brightest seersucker and gathered for a photo to kick off the summer. That tradition was shelved during the economic downturn but it’s coming back next month when members of the House will once again show up to work in their summery, seersuckery best.
The return of National Seersucker Day couldn’t come at a better time for the iconic American men’s brand, Haspel, who invented the seersucker suit in 1909. The brand recently relaunched for Spring/Summer 2014 by Laurie Haspel Aronson, the founder’s great granddaughter, who is reigniting Haspel for a new generation. Poised for the comeback, she tapped the award-winning design team Shipley & Halmos to create American-made clothing that echoes the legacy of its founder while advancing the style of the Haspel man.
To celebrate National Seersucker Day, Haspel invites you to don your best and brightest seersucker. The brand will be hosting multiple seersucker giveaways via their social media channels in the days leading up to June 11, and they encourage everyone to participate in the summertime sophistication of wearing seersucker.
So get your seersucker cleaned and pressed for next Wednesday. Between now and then we’ll offer plenty of inspiration on how to to style your outfit as we plow through Seersucker Fest 2014. Below is the first suggestion, courtesy of Senator Lott: matching pink tie and socks. — CS & CC
My hometown senator Dianne Feinstein (5th from left) bought all the women senators Brooks Bros. seersucker suits to participate in Seersucker Thursdays.
Ah, yes, Dianne Feinstein, the woman who insists upon her right to carry a concealed weapon, but doesn’t want you to be able to exercise that same right.
Such is the mind of someone from California, the land of the fruits and nuts.
A safe bet is the chap on the far left is sporting the only 3/2 undarted, natural shoulder number. Not that anyone, including his colleagues in public service, cares.
I prefer the Alden tassel moc (burgundy calf) with my pin (‘seer’) cord.
@Watchman A continuous lean ran a piece called “A Case for Reviving Seersucker Thursday.” The Ivy Style piece is about National Seersucker Day which falls on a Wed 11th. They cover some of the same ground. one was saying “lets bring it back and the other article says “Something similar is back!”
My best friend’s Dad passed away in 1987. He was buried in the classic blue seersucker suit, with a pink shirt, and a solid tie. My friend had given the undertaker a madras plaid tie, but the undertaker didn’t use it. Don’t know what kind of socks he was buried in but he was an argyle man all his life.
This was in the middle of January. “Dad” thought he might be going to a warmer climate. Well, at least, we hope not.
Yup. It is indeed Chafee. See my previous reference to his (good) taste.
Years ago Southwick offered a wonderful (read: subtle) pincord in two shades of gray–one a bit lighter, the other a true medium grey. Perfect for Northeastern summers.
As for the bright blue, bold striped seersucker–no thanks. Not for suiting, anyway.
@Christian
What caught my eye was the same picture of Trent Lott on the Senate train.
As to the meat of the article I’ll say this: I wish I lived in a time and place where I could wear a seersucker suit around without the sneers and grimaces of the general population.
Waldo, I didn’t even mention you. While it was generous of Feinstein to give her colleagues those suits, she’s still a dangerous leftist who doesn’t give a fig for Americans or their rights and prerogatives.
Sneers and grimaces are mostly merited if the wearer in question has chosen the bold striped, bright blue version. Even in Charleston or Savannah. One can kinda-sorta get away with the pincord in darker shades because, from a distance, it nearly resembles a solid. And for goodness’ sake don’t wear it with black lace-ups and a neon tie that matches the shade of blue in the suit, as McConnell appears to prefer.
I assumed the fruits and nuts reference included me, rather than dangerous leftists and less-dangerous produce, including figs. Always disappointing to find not everything on the Internet is about me.
Sadly, not everything on teh Intarwebz is about me, either. But the fruits and nuts, while not the only ones in the People’s Republic of Mexifornia, are the ones who keep on re-electing harpies like Feinstein, Boxer, and Pelosi.
I usually get compliments from women when wearing my seersucker suit (tan striped) and do get some ribbing from male colleagues and others when wearing the full suit. Most days I wear the jacket or trousers separately. Poplin is great in the Texas summer, but it will take seersucker for comfort over poplin.
@S.E.
I’d never wear it with black lace ups, if for no reason other than I don’t own any. I do find it interesting that you think the aforementioned sneers and grimaces are merited for any situation, really.
One day I walked into a client’s office and he asked if I had purchased my seersucker suit at Cox’s or did I buy my cocksucker suit at Sears. You have to know the client, but in south, his response is pertinent. I have three suits in various colors. Nonetheless, I hate to put them away after Labor Day. They are so much cooler.
Actually, it is the 19th, as we have celbrated it on the third Thursday of every June in our store. we generally have about 50-75 people show up for it. http://www.bestmastertailor.com/seersuckerday.html
No white bucks, no Seersucker suit.
My hometown senator Dianne Feinstein (5th from left) bought all the women senators Brooks Bros. seersucker suits to participate in Seersucker Thursdays.
Ah, yes, Dianne Feinstein, the woman who insists upon her right to carry a concealed weapon, but doesn’t want you to be able to exercise that same right.
Such is the mind of someone from California, the land of the fruits and nuts.
A safe bet is the chap on the far left is sporting the only 3/2 undarted, natural shoulder number. Not that anyone, including his colleagues in public service, cares.
I prefer the Alden tassel moc (burgundy calf) with my pin (‘seer’) cord.
Didn’t I see this same article nine days ago on A Continuous Lean?
Oh good. Dissed by Henry immediately after my first comment here. I feel like one of the gang now.
To S.E.: I think that “the chap on the far left…sporting the only 3/2 undarted, natural shoulder number” is Lincoln Chafee, Andover ’71 and Brown ’75.
@Watchman A continuous lean ran a piece called “A Case for Reviving Seersucker Thursday.” The Ivy Style piece is about National Seersucker Day which falls on a Wed 11th. They cover some of the same ground. one was saying “lets bring it back and the other article says “Something similar is back!”
@Watchmen
Apparently we get the same press releases.
My best friend’s Dad passed away in 1987. He was buried in the classic blue seersucker suit, with a pink shirt, and a solid tie. My friend had given the undertaker a madras plaid tie, but the undertaker didn’t use it. Don’t know what kind of socks he was buried in but he was an argyle man all his life.
This was in the middle of January. “Dad” thought he might be going to a warmer climate. Well, at least, we hope not.
Yup. It is indeed Chafee. See my previous reference to his (good) taste.
Years ago Southwick offered a wonderful (read: subtle) pincord in two shades of gray–one a bit lighter, the other a true medium grey. Perfect for Northeastern summers.
As for the bright blue, bold striped seersucker–no thanks. Not for suiting, anyway.
@Christian
What caught my eye was the same picture of Trent Lott on the Senate train.
As to the meat of the article I’ll say this: I wish I lived in a time and place where I could wear a seersucker suit around without the sneers and grimaces of the general population.
Waldo, I didn’t even mention you. While it was generous of Feinstein to give her colleagues those suits, she’s still a dangerous leftist who doesn’t give a fig for Americans or their rights and prerogatives.
Sneers and grimaces are mostly merited if the wearer in question has chosen the bold striped, bright blue version. Even in Charleston or Savannah. One can kinda-sorta get away with the pincord in darker shades because, from a distance, it nearly resembles a solid. And for goodness’ sake don’t wear it with black lace-ups and a neon tie that matches the shade of blue in the suit, as McConnell appears to prefer.
I assumed the fruits and nuts reference included me, rather than dangerous leftists and less-dangerous produce, including figs. Always disappointing to find not everything on the Internet is about me.
Great reply, Waldo!
Sadly, not everything on teh Intarwebz is about me, either. But the fruits and nuts, while not the only ones in the People’s Republic of Mexifornia, are the ones who keep on re-electing harpies like Feinstein, Boxer, and Pelosi.
I usually get compliments from women when wearing my seersucker suit (tan striped) and do get some ribbing from male colleagues and others when wearing the full suit. Most days I wear the jacket or trousers separately. Poplin is great in the Texas summer, but it will take seersucker for comfort over poplin.
Welcome aboard Waldo…..
@S.E.
I’d never wear it with black lace ups, if for no reason other than I don’t own any. I do find it interesting that you think the aforementioned sneers and grimaces are merited for any situation, really.
One day I walked into a client’s office and he asked if I had purchased my seersucker suit at Cox’s or did I buy my cocksucker suit at Sears. You have to know the client, but in south, his response is pertinent. I have three suits in various colors. Nonetheless, I hate to put them away after Labor Day. They are so much cooler.
Thank you, gentlemen.
Next time, Gerry: “Yeah, I already heard that crappy joke at the suit shop. You know, the one next to the joke shop where you got that crappy suit.”
Actually, it is the 19th, as we have celbrated it on the third Thursday of every June in our store. we generally have about 50-75 people show up for it.
http://www.bestmastertailor.com/seersuckerday.html
For New Orleanians, seersucker isn’t only acceptable, it’s an absolute must between May and August–particularly among lawyers.