I live in the southern USA and ofter wear seersucker suits in the summer. I will be in Geneva in a couple of weeks (early July). Would this be OK to wear, or is it even worn much over there ?

I love to wear seersucker as it is so cool and comfortable, but I don't want everyone staring at me (at least for my clothing choice) all day long either.

Thanks.

I haven't seen seersucker in the UK since the 1950s. Does that answer your question?

I had to open this thread so see if it really referred to seersucker clothing. My response would depend if you are a man or a woman. I think a woman could get away with seeksucker but not a man under 80 years old and certainly not a man's suit. But tourists wear anything and seersucker certainly beats some male tourists in shorts and tacky tees.

Doesn't seersucker wrinkle when you fold it? It went out of fashion before I was old enough to iron.

I also didn't know that you could still buy seersucker.

You people must hang out with the polyester suit set.

Like yddkdd, I wear a seersucker suit, in fact I have two, and I wear them to church and to garden parties between Memorial Day and Labor Day, but not before or after.

Seersucker was never in fashion, adrienne. It is classic. It does not wrinkle, one of the reasons Southerners wear it. It also never quite touches your skin, so air can move around you in hot weather. My grandfather wore white or cream colored linen suits and a panama hat on Sunday, but he had someone who ironed.

In certain parts of the country there are lots of people who wear classic clothing. I went to a wedding in Watch Hill, RI, a few years back, and about 10 men had on white bucks, appropriate because the bride was a member of what is known as a white shoe law firm. And here in Nantucket, we do wear Nantucket Reds, though yachting men wore them in England before WWII, so they aren't exclusive here.

But I wouldn't wear a seersucker suit in Switzerland.

<< You people must hang out with the polyester suit set. >>

Not at all. I usually wear cotton or linen in the summer. It's difficult to buy garments that aren't for sale in the local department stores or at my usual on-line sites. Seersucker is not something I have thought about since I was a child which is about the last time I saw someone wearing it.

I think I'm going to look for some on the internet.

I have never seen a seersucker suit in central Europe but seersucker blazers/jackets definitely exist for both men and women, also blouses and shirts. It is a rather new material for clothing hereabouts (can't tell if it has already been here in the 1950s, I'm not old enough to know). This material must be really practical for travel.

Thanks everyone for all of the help. I am glad to see everyone's point of view; it is so interesting in sharing these sorts of conversations.

I think that I will keep it at home and wear it as I normally do, in the hot South Louisiana summer with the appropriate hat. But of course never when I am at a crawfish boil or cochon de lait !

Thanks all !

I think you may get stared at but simply because tourists don't wear suits in Europe. You would stand out for looking well presented, if a little unusual. They generally wear runners, shorts or jeans and t-shirts and look pretty slobby. I live in a hot climate too but men never wear suits here (in Australia) if they can possibly avoid it. I've never seen a seersucker suit, ever. They do sound quite cool to wear.

We've had a couple of visits to your part of the world and loved the food - and other things of course. What is a cochon de lait?

Kay

Sir, if you want to wear a seersucker suit in Geneva, do so. NO ONE is going to stare at you. That is utterly ridiculous.

Geneva is a very big business city. Most men there will be dressed in suits and ties as they will be AT WORK.

I was born in Europe, but now reside in the US. I am always flummoxed by people who come to this forum and tell others that the people in Europe don't wear trainers (tennis shoes), don't wear jeans, don't wear baseball caps, don't wear logos on their clothes.

THAT IS ALL A LIE!

This is another myth of Europe. (Another myth is that European teenagers don't drink alcohol--they would rather have a coke than beer!!!!!!!!! ROFL!!!!!!!!!!!)

Seersucker is very popular in Italy. In fact I was look at photos at GQ Magazine (Tommy Ton)of the shows at Pitti Uomo in Florence and I spotted a photo of a man wearing seersucker pants.

These are the most fashionable men on the planet, the editors of fashion mags and the fashion directors of stores like Bergdorf Goodman.

Walk down Madison Ave in July and you will see the most powerful men in Manhattan wearing seersucker. These men all went to Choate and Yale and have houses on Nantucket.

Believe me, NO ONE who lives in a big metropolitan city, be it in the US, Asia, or Europe walks around wondering about other people's fashion choices. THAT IS INSANE.

I couldn't imagine walking around Rittenhouse Square in Philly wondering why someone was wearing a blue shirt or green pants or ballet flats.

That is what people do in small towns. Small-town mentality.

P_P, who worked for a major fashion house in NYC for 5 years

Who has been spreading the myth that European teenagers don't drink alcohol? I've never heard that one.

I admit I haven't seen much seersucker in Europe over many years of travel there, except in Italy, but I think you should go for it. You're right - it's an excellent summer fabric choice, holds up well when traveling, and looks great! The guys in Geneva will be envious!

I'm going to jump on the 'take it with you and wear it' bandwagon. Seersucker suits are having a bit of a renaissance (naissance?) in Europe and I think you may well end up having people staring at you for all the right reasons.

Having done a quick google for seersucker suits, you've actually inspired me to have a look for one as there are some really good looking examples out there. I've got a couple of summer suits (one linen and one cotton) and I think I've reached a stage where I could do with a seersucker version.

It looks like I could get a lot of use out of a single-buttoned seersucker jacket even if the full suit would only get rare outings.

If nothing else, you'd definitely liven Geneva up a bit, which I think it it's in dire need of...

P_P -- slender and quite pretty, I'd imagine!

Are you in Geneva for business or pleasure? Keep in mind that the climate in Geneve is not like southern Louisiana.

If on pleassure travel, wear the seersucker. If on business, I think most of the business community will likely be wearing summer business suits.

I won't get into the fashion argument, but you cannot expect the weather in Geneva to be hot and sunny all the time.
Right now, and close to July, the evening/night temps get as low as 50ish. Even the day time highs will be just 60ish first week of July if you can trust the weather forecast. Won't hurt if you also bring something moderately warm.