Now that summer has officially struck, heat and humidity are returning with a vengeance to many parts of the country. Having just spent a couple of days in Charleston, South Carolina, I was pleasantly reminded that men still have a truly creative sartorial flair in that fantastic little city. This is particularly worth noting because when the warm weather hits, many guys revert to a variation on the polo shirt/khaki model; boring, predictable and safe. That is not always the rule in Charleston, a town that truly prides itself on creative and stylish menswear.
As many of you know, Charleston is the home of Ben Silver, an iconic and long lived menswear store and catalog. A stylish and vibrant place, there are myriad other excellent menswear stores throughout the city as well. Charleston is also ground zero for a uniquely colorful, almost Mediterranean preppy style that softens the classic pinks, greens and reds in sun-washed and weathered hues that blend with the slower and more thoughtful pace of life that the climate dictates.
While based on a generally conservative and traditional model, menswear here evolved to reflect the dictates of comfort and culture. The same stylistic sensibility of its Northeastern brethren is present, but its execution incorporates visually softer and physically lighter materials. Also present are creative touches that only a Southern gentleman could confidently pull off. In one store, I found the Charleston equivalent of Nantucket Reds with the addition of large, vibrant swordfish leaping across the legs. No discreet collection of tiny whales, these guys were visible from a good distance. The trousers were by no means tacky, just designed for someone who has a strong personal style, doesn’t mind standing out and, most importantly, doesn’t take himself too seriously.
Recently, I also contributed to a thread over at the BeBetterGuys.com forum about seersucker suits, a staple of the Southern wardrobe and something you see quite often in Charleston. Broadly speaking, seersucker has reemerged on the fashion front this season. J. Crew has done a great job softening its overall look and building casual but classy pieces that can be worn with shorts or chinos. Brooks Brothers, J. Press, and Polo/Ralph Lauren always offer some nice versions. Back in 2003, the Wall Street Journal did a compare/contrast among makers and settled on Haspel as one of the best. Although it’s several years old, the article is still a great read.
Personally, I have a great seersucker suit purchased from Brooks Brothers about 10 years ago. It’s a classic, with blue/white stripes, two-buttons, single vent and cut along traditional lines. I have worn it to numerous weddings and to work. Each time I do some guy invariably looks over and says, “Damn, I wish I had the guts to actually wear that.” It’s that kind of a suit.
I think the main thing to remember when wearing seersucker is that a lot of other guys wish they could. It’s intimidating – like the pants with the swordfish – and you have to make the conscious choice to put it on and walk out the door. That’s not a bad thing; your clothing should tell people who you are, it should be noticeable and, on occasion, stand out. And while the classic repp tie, white bucks look is great, don’t be afraid to throw on a pair of Chuck Taylors and a messenger bag instead.
photo credit: The Sartorialist