Each year right before Memorial Day I'm faced with the conundrum that many of us stylish folk face: What do I wear in the summer? I examine my wardrobe — in my immensely large walk-in closet — and survey the many winter coats, dark jeans and fine suits that line the walls only to realize one detail is missing: stylish summer attire.

There are a few materials you can put on your back during the hot months of summer. My favorites? Linen, madras and seersucker. For today, let's focus on the latter (the lads in Vampire Weekend would be proud).

Seersucker — literally "milk and sugar" — comes to us from Persia. Its light material is usually white with blue (the most common), pink, yellow or salmon stripes. Due to the way it's woven, the fabric tends to bunch up a bit which keeps it away from the skin, thus keeping my tanned body cooler in the hot months. Here in the States, do me a favor and only wear it from Memorial Day to Labor Day — and never to anything too formal.

Look for a well-fitting suit (or merely jacket to wear with Bermuda shorts) as you would normally fit yourself for a suit. Wear with a crisp white shirt and light colored necktie, but don't be afraid to go sans tie, either. Wearing a T-shirt with a seersucker suit is an invitation to disaster, as is ironing the thing. Stay away from both.

And go with aviators. After all, it is summer. (Heck, always go with aviators).

Toss back: A mint julep.

Buy:
J. Crew Seersucker Sportcoat (pictured, $118)
Banana Republic Monogram Slim Straight Seersucker Pant ($109)
Etro Seersucker Blazer ($1,235)


Photo © Sandstep (Flickr Creative Commons License)

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