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What is Seersucker? | 2025 Fabric Guide

What is Seersucker Fabric?

Seersucker was originally made of cotton and silk but, these days, it’s usually made from just cotton. You could probably make it from whatever you like if you’ve got the tools and the knowhow, though. Spider silk, maybe? That’d be good. Spider silk seersucker. Someone write that down.

What does Seersucker mean?

Seersucker was originally used to suck bad spirits out of the souls seers and clairvoyants. It wasn’t. We’ve just made that up. It actually comes from the Persian phrase shir-o-shakhar, meaning milk and sugar. Seersucker is partly smooth — like milk — and partly bumpy or puckered (or granular) — like sugar. So that’s a fun little etymology, isn’t it?

How is Seersucker Made?

Back in the day — The Day being the times of British colonialism — you could find seersucker made from alternating striped of silk and cotton. The cotton would bunch up when washed, whilst the silk would remain smooth and, well, silky. This meant the fabric would mainly rest away from the skin and allow for the cooling effect of airflow over the skin — useful if you’re wreaking absolute havoc in the merciless heat of the Indian subcontinent. Nowadays it’s generally made by using combining cotton that’s been woven at different tensions. A slacker weave combined with a higher tension weave creating that famous puckering effect.

Is Seersucker 100% cotton?

Usually, yes, seersucker is made of 100% cotton, but you can find it made of silk, linen, or sometimes even a blend of both.

What Occasions is Seersucker Best for?

Seersucker is ideal for dealing with warmer climes. Barbecues, holidays, summer weddings or birthdays etc. It’s great for fighting humidity. If Walter Raleigh had been wearing seersucker, he’d have had a much better chance of finding El Dorado.

What are the benefits of the Seersucker fabric?

Light as the air it allows to gently brush your skin, seersucker adds texture, comfort, and breeziness to any fit it touches.

Is Seersucker breathable?

You’re damn right seersucker is breathable. It’s designed to sit away from the skin, allowing free movement of air over your lovely epidermis. That air is free to go wherever it bloody well pleases when you’re wearing seersucker.

What Makes a Seersucker Suit?

With a seersucker suit, it’s all in the tailoring and the cut. If you get that wrong, seersucker can easily become boxy and shapeless. Percival has taken extra care to make sure our Seersucker Suits are cut to perfection, allowing you to reap all of the material benefits of seersucker without compromising on style. 

What to wear with a Seersucker jacket

Ideally, you can simply pair a seersucker jacket with Seersucker Trousers. You’d do just as well to mix up the texture a little and pair with linen or cotton trousers too, though, either in matching or complementary colours.

What shoes to wear with a Seersucker suit​

Loafers like these Sebagos are a great shout, as are these Gibson Hi-Shine Shoes. Boots are a bit overpowering for seersucker in our opinion, but if you have a vision and you reckon you can make it work, don’t let us stop you.

What to wear with Seersucker pants​

We’re talking about the American definition of the word ‘pants’ here. Not sure about seersucker on the old wedding tackle, although… Maybe. One to explore another time. With seersucker trousers, the world’s your oyster, to be honest. A classic tee shirt for a chill look, a Linen Shirt for summer holiday evening drinks vibes, a Cuban Collared Shirt for an everyday warm weather feel… Take ownership of your style.

How to Wash Seersucker?

You don’t have to worry too much about seersucker in the wash — it’s pretty durable. Don’t take liberties, of course — keep it to a low temperature just to be safe — but you don’t need to stress about seersucker.

Does seersucker shrink?

Seersucker will shrink a little on its first wash by its very design. Once it’s properly puckered it should be fine, though. Just don’t wash it on high heats and we’d recommend drying naturally as opposed to machine drying.

Does Seersucker wrinkle​?

Yes, it’s supposed to. All part of the charm. That’s what makes it ideal for travelling and holidays. Like a gracefully ageing filmstar, embrace the wrinkling.

Can you iron seersucker?

Don’t do it. Ironing defeats the whole point of seersucker. Embrace the wrinkles graciously.

Percival’s Men’s Seersucker Collection

Seersucker Shorts

Our seersucker shorts are made with the best cotton money can buy, available in Navy, Ecru, Forest, and Espresso. They’ve got jet pockets and back pockets for your euros and your pesos. Cut just above the knee, giving maximum functionality and easy style.

Seersucker shirts

Our Seersucker Cuban Shirts are the best thing about summer 2025. Yes, there’s the weather, there are the barbecues, the garden parties, the holidays — not bothered. These shirts are informal, formal, breathable, comfortable, summery, and perfect. Pair them with shortstrousers of just about any fabric, wear open or buttoned, layered or alone. Embrace seersucker this summer — make smart choices.

Unfortunately this size is no longer in stock.