It’s hot and humid in the South — we don’t have to tell you that — and our sweltering summer climate calls for special clothing. Seersucker fits that bill, an all-cotton fabric, usually striped, woven in such a way that it draws heat away from the body, promotes air circulation and usually doesn’t need to be pressed.
What a magic fabric for Southerners!
The fabric created by the British came to America about the time of the Civil War, and was used by the Confederate Louisiana Tigers and in bed ticking to keep Southerners cool at night.
But in 1909, Joseph Haspel Sr. of New Orleans created a men’s suit out of the seersucker fabric, and the style took off, perfect for the city’s H&H (hot and humid) summers. The style spread, including women in its appeal, and seersucker clothing ranges today from preppy pink shorts and flip-flops to tuxedos.
The Four Seasons Hotel New Orleans and Haspel have united for a special event on National Seersucker Day, June 9, 2022. There will be an evening of cocktails, live music, a bourbon tasting, light fare catered by the Four Seasons Hotel, Haspel gift bags, and the latest seersucker fashion. The free event will be from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. tonight, (Thursday, June 9, 2022) at the Garden at Four Seasons Hotel New Orleans, 2 Canal St., New Orleans.
While you're there, be sure to visit the hotel's luxurious Chandelier Bar, with its dramatic center light feature and menu of craft cocktails. I sampled my favorite New Orleans cocktail, the Sazerac, which is also the city's official cocktail, consisting of rye, Herbsaint Legendre, cane sugar and Peychaud’s Bitters. My neighbor enjoyed something colorful, the World's Fair Fizza, mixing up gin, lemon, wildflower honey, orange blossom water, egg whites, Butterfly Pea Flower Tea and champagne. It's the hotel's take on the gin fizz, another New Orleans cocktail native.
This Seersucker Day event is free and open to the public. Guests interested in staying at the Four Seasons Hotel New Orleans can take advantage of the Park and Play offer for 15 percent off room rates and complimentary valet parking.
Photos courtesy of The Four Season Hotel New Orleans and Cheré Coen.