As soon as the weather truly warms up towards the end of spring, Big Linen gets loud. Folks everywhere start touting its breathability, ease of wear, and of course, the “charming” way it starts to wrinkle the second you put it on. Personally though, I want to be comfortable in balmy weather and still feel sharp and refined. That’s where seersucker comes in.
Seersucker has all of the qualities we love about linen, but with far less maintenance. It’s a lightweight cotton fabric with alternating smooth and puckered stripes, and that change in texture cleverly keeps most of the material off your skin, making it especially breathable in the heat. (This total dominance in humidity is why most people associate seersucker with old-school southern tailoring.) This unique fabric composition also does something else—in warm weather, layers can’t carry an outfit, so interesting textures like these do much of the heavy lifting.
And while previously seersucker was most typically found in loud, striped colorways that leaned into its “summer vibes” energy, there are a bunch of new, more muted takes this summer that are much easier to wear casually. I’m personally rotating between a few different seersucker pieces at the moment, all of which are included below, including a shirt and a full suit. But I’ve also included the new seersucker pieces I wish I already owned, including a few picks from a bunch of trending independent brands—Mfpen, Sage Nation, Smock—that just might surprise you.
5 Ways to Sucker Up ASAP
Corridor
Plaid Seersucker SS
Corridor has always led the way in shirt patterns, but this one—in an unusual black plaid—is a blessing in seersucker, too.
Knickerbocker
Fulton Seersucker Shirt
A recognizable cuban collar shirt at first, before you realize that shade of putty gray is special, and that seersucker brings it to life. Styling wise, it pairs great with khakis, black denim, and navy blue, all of which you probably already have in your closet. A cool option if you’re going on vacation, it’ll also look great all summer hanging around the city.
Buck Mason
Lightweight Seersucker Carry-on Jacket
This full casual suit is the perfect addition for anyone ready to commit to the full seersucker suit life, without the Kentucky Derby stripes. A classic 3-roll-2, patch pockets and a generous pant width make it all the more comfortable to wear.
Mfpen
Executive Checked Cotton-Seersucker Shirt
Menswear guys (and I’m one of them) always look forward to Mfpen’s shirting options landing each season, and this summer’s collection did not disappoint. It has a very generous collar to create some shape, and also comes in a shade you likely don’t have.
Smock
Knoll Jacket in Japanese Seersucker Black
Smock is finally getting recognized as one of the best in-house brands around. This coach jacket style jacket is garment-dyed for a well-loved feel from day one—a great piece to have in the rotation for cooler nights.
Orignal Madras Trading Company
N°165 Lax Drawstring Shorts
In true Original Madras Trading Company fashion, seersucker has here been taken one step further. Its engineered seersucker weave ensures each garment is one of a kind, and like everything OMTC, it’s made on proprietary looms by their team in Madras, India.
Sage Nation
Takeshi Shirt Ivory Stripe
Subtlety is the name of the game with this example from Sage Nation. It’s not only found in the washed out stripes, but also the two functional pockets at the hem that add a touch of utility.
Paul Smith
Purple and Green Checked Shirt
Paul Smith really said your summer vacation starts now, even if your official PTO is still a couple of months away.
Sid Mashburn
Marquez Shirt in Navy Seersucker
As a Southerner himself, you can trust Sid Mashburn to choose a premium seersucker fabric—as he’s done with this one from Japan. And yes, those are four (!) subtle pockets on the front.
Todd Snyder
Knit Seersucker Shirt
This lovely pick from Todd comes in a few colors, but this tonal blue is perfect for rolling up on a summer night as you wait for the next round to hit the table.
NN07
Blaze 10038 Striped Seersucker Overshirt
Overshirts are the ideal warm-weather layer once the sun sets. This one comes in another summer-ready colorway—Army Green—and would kill alongside your favorite washed out denim and a Belgian loafer.
Oliver Spencer
Connell Checked Organic Cotton-Seersucker Shirt
If ecru shirts feel too safe for you, let a seersucker one give the shade the interest you require.
Service Works
Seersucker Sever Suit Jacket
Inspired by hospitality uniforms, and originally built for kitchen staff, Service Works eventually became too good to ignore for folks with laptop jobs too.
Frizmworks
OG Dobby Weave Seersucker Short Sleeve Shirt
Korean label Frizmworks delivers a potent combo of Americana-inspired pieces and gentle prices. Trust when I say this button-front shirt made from a fluttery seersucker will become one of your top-two summer shirts (and it won’t be number two).
Bonobos
Riviera Short Sleeve Shirt
Some brands have hundreds of shirt styles. Others, like Bonobos, perfect just a few. The Riviera comes in plenty of colors, but this navy seersucker is as elegant as the brand gets.
