Fabric Guide: What is Seersucker?

Fabric GUIDE

What is Seersucker?

Synonymous with the classic summer shirt, seersucker is a lightweight cotton fabric with alternating crinkled and smooth vertical stripes that never needs ironing. The construction of the fabric is what makes this fabric perfect for warmer temperatures by having less touch points against the skin.

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Is Seersucker Breathable?

You’re 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 Does Seersucker Mean?

The word originates from the Persian words شیر shîr and شکر shakar, literally meaning "milk and sugar", from the gritty texture ("sugar") on the otherwise smooth ("milk") cloth. Seersucker is woven in such a way that some threads bunch together, giving the fabric a wrinkled or puckered appearance.

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.

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Seersucker Striped Texture Shirt
Seersucker Striped Texture Shirt
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The Benefits of Seersucker Fabric

  • It is great for travel because it will not show signs of wrinkling from being packed in your bag.
  • Its puckering allows ample airflow and keeps you feeling cool and fresh even on hot days.
  • It is absolutely versatile and can be used for a wide range of events and purposes.

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.

Can You Iron Seersucker?

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

Now, when someone asks you, “what is seersucker,” you know exactly how to answer! Seersucker is an amazing twist to a summer fabric classic: cotton.