Seersucker

The distinctive puckered, crinkled texture of seersucker is created by a slack-tension weaving process. During manufacturing, the loom holds some warp yarns tightly while leaving others loose, causing the finished fabric to naturally pucker.

Yes, seersucker is widely considered an excellent summer fabric because its signature puckered texture keeps most of the material away from the skin. This allows air to circulate freely, providing a cooling effect in hot and humid weather.

The fabric originated in India, with the word itself derived from the Hindi words 'shir o shekar,' which translates to 'milk and sugar.' The name references the smooth and rough textures that alternate in the woven stripes.

Seersucker became a warm-weather suiting staple in the American South because the lightweight cotton holds up well in high humidity. It was popularized by Southern college students and businessmen before becoming an iconic preppy fashion garment nationwide.