A Gentleman, Refined

Fall is right around the corner but let’s not pack away the summer clothes just yet guys. Old-fashioned customs require us to stop wearing white after Labor Day. Those rules are outdated. The weather doesn’t just turn cold because it’s the first week of September. Plus, now we may or may not have that pesky little thing known as global warming to contend with. For those of us in the South, we can expect eighty-degree weather well into November. That doesn’t bode well for wool sweaters and camel hair sport coats. I tend to follow more relaxed rules when determining when to mothball seasonal clothing. I should also mention that transitional periods, (i.e. between summer and fall), are the best times to get great deals on the leftovers from the outgoing fashion line.

It’s seer, sucka!

I have never been one for odd color combinations or weird patterns. You won’t find any madras in my closet or sailboats or sea creatures embroidered on my shorts or pants, but if you like that look, then own it. This year I did make an addition to my wardrobe that I wish I would have been man enough to try years ago: seersucker. Seersucker is an excellent fabric for the summer and warmer climates because it is all cotton and woven in such a way that it doesn’t cling to the skin, and is characterized by vertical stripes in alternating colors, typically white and some other color.

I have been toying with the idea of getting some seersucker pants for a few years but never felt like I could pull off the look. After seeing some others wearing seersucker at the courthouse, I decided to give it a shot. I went with the traditional white/blue stripe in a flat front, no cuff pant. I wear them with a white dress shirt and navy blazer. When choosing a tie to wear with seersucker, you should go with a bright color. For a refined southern look, leave the long tie in the closet and go with a striped bow tie. The right shoe to wear with seersucker is a hard decision to make. Many people think you should only wear seersucker with white dress shoes, but I can honestly say that I have never seen a good looking pair of white dress shoes. Even if I did like them, who has extra money to spend on a pair of shoes that you will only wear with one outfit? I mean, we’re in a recession after all. For me, a nice pair of brown loafers or lace-ups will do just fine.

I have worn my seersucker pants so many times this season that I will be adding a second pair for next year, but this time I am opting for the whole suit. After all, a southern gentleman without a seersucker suit is like iced tea without the sweet, or a julep without the mint. You could do it, but why would you?

Please post any style questions or style topics for next month’s issue and I will do my best to respond accordingly.