What is Seersucker?
Image Credit : Gieves
The Summer Suit with a Bumpy Past… and a Cool Future
Picture this: it’s 30 degrees, the sun is relentless, and you’ve got a garden wedding, a rooftop meeting, or a summer soirée to attend. The idea of a suit? Feels like punishment.
Enter seersucker.
Lightweight. Airy. Stylishly rumpled. A fabric with a history as rich as its texture and the ultimate answer to dressing well when the mercury rises.
A Fabric Born in the Heat
Seersucker’s story begins in 17th century India, where local weavers created a puckered cotton cloth known as shir o shakar which is Persian for milk and sugar - a nod to its alternating smooth and crinkled stripes. This brilliant texture wasn’t just for show. It kept the fabric from clinging to the skin, allowing air to circulate and bodies to breathe.
British colonials took a liking to it (as they often did with anything clever and comfortable) and shipped it back home. Eventually, it made its way to America, where it became a Southern summer staple worn by lawyers, senators, Ivy League students and dapper gentlemen who needed to look sharp in the sweltering heat.
What Makes Seersucker So Special?
Today, seersucker remains a tailoring miracle for good reason:
It’s breathable. The puckered texture lifts the fabric off your skin, creating natural ventilation.
It’s lightweight. No heavy linings or canvassing needed, the cloth floats.
It’s wrinkle-proof (on purpose). It’s meant to look lived-in. You don’t iron seersucker. You wear it.
It’s stylishly subversive. In a sea of smooth wools, a seersucker suit shows you understand tradition but aren’t afraid to bend the rules.
How to Wear It
While traditionally seen in blue-and-white stripes, today’s seersucker comes in a palette of modern colours: navy, soft greys, even pastels and earthy tones.
Whether you’re heading to a destination wedding, entertaining clients al fresco, or just strolling through the city, a well-cut seersucker suit can be:
Full formal (with tie and pocket square)
Smart casual (open shirt, loafers, effortless)
Split into separates (jacket with chinos, trousers with a t-shirt)
Bespoke Seersucker at Roberto Revilla London
At Roberto Revilla London we create custom seersucker pieces tailored to your lifestyle. Whether you want a classic striped two-piece or something more directional, we’ll guide you through the options and build a garment that fits you - and the season - perfectly.
Don’t let summer slow your style down.
📲 Book your consultation now and let’s get you summer-ready in a fabric that’s centuries old, but cool as ever.
