Seersucker Debate

Harrydog · Jun 5, 2008

I am a teacher at a private day school in the northeast. We had graduation today. Faculty are expected to be in suits or jacket/slacks and tie.

A colleague wore a Haspel seersucker suit, white button down, and a nice Drakes pastel plaid tie. No problem.

Footwear? He wore dark brown suede Merrill walkers. Knowing what shoes he owns, I said I thought his black captoes were more appropriate (the school dress code specifies black or brown dress shoes.)

He countered by finding an SF thread that basically bashed wearing black shoes with seersucker....fine and dandy...BUT what if the alternative is Merrill Walkers or even, as he suggested, open toed sandals.

Opinions? I agree black is not ideal...I would prefer white bucks or a spectator.

teddieriley · Jun 5, 2008

is this another thread that is going to discuss what the "rules" are? Come on, this is what he wanted to wear, not you. Apparently he's aware of SF and some style cues so he's not totally ignorant. Good for him. No need to impose what you think is "more appropriate" in this instance.

Sebastian · Jun 5, 2008

White bucks or spectators are a nice choice in an informal area.

For a graduation I wouldn't wear a seersucker at all, but thats good old Europe talking...

If you must, I would wear tan oxfords, like the ones Will was posting in his Blog:

http://asuitablewardrobe.dynend.com/...paniments.html

datasupa · Jun 5, 2008

Academics are allowed a certain degree of sartorial eccentricity. It only adds to the charm.

Harrydog · Jun 5, 2008

Originally Posted by teddieriley

is this another thread that is going to discuss what the "rules" are? Come on, this is what he wanted to wear, not you. Apparently he's aware of SF and some style cues so he's not totally ignorant.

Only because I frequently reference the site and he was trying to beat me at my own game. Clearly, you are of the same opinion, power to you.

Originally Posted by teddieriley

Good for him. No need to impose what you think is "more appropriate" in this instance.

I am not imposing anything. We have a school dress code for students on what is the most formal day of the year. It is pretty hard to expect anything of our students when faculty disregard both the letter and spirit of the dress code, no?

teddieriley · Jun 5, 2008

Originally Posted by Harrydog

We have a school dress code for students on what is the most formal day of the year. It is pretty hard to expect anything of our students when faculty disregard both the letter and spirit of the dress code, no?

If formality is the central point, maybe you should be questioning his decision to wear a seersucker in the first place. I agree that Merrill walkers are unsightly in general, but excusable if one is going to be doing a lot of walking or have some feet issues, but whatcha gonna do? You can always slap him on the wrist with a ruler, I guess.

Harrydog · Jun 5, 2008

Originally Posted by teddieriley

If formality is the central point, maybe you should be questioning his decision to wear a seersucker in the first place. I agree that Merrill walkers are unsightly in general, but excusable if one is going to be doing a lot of walking or have some feet issues, but whatcha gonna do? You can always slap him on the wrist with a ruler, I guess.

The graduation was outdoors at 9:00 in morning. Faculty and families sit on folding chairs on the lawn. The students graduating are in suits for guys/white dresses for girls. The rest of the student body are in blue blazer/grey slacks. Girls in "appropriate" party dresses (no pants.)

I can't slap him...he is bigger than me

SoCal2NYC · Jun 5, 2008

What did YOU wear?

Harrydog · Jun 5, 2008

Originally Posted by SoCal2NYC

What did YOU wear?

Light grey mohair/wool suit.
White shirt. (spread collar/french cuffs)
Blue/white/tan silk plaid tie; tan with white polka dot PS
Tan Peals (C&J) Wholecuts

JLibourel · Jun 5, 2008

I am in your corner, Harrydog! I assume you mean "Merrell" shoes. In a cursory examination of their men's shoes and boots, I did not find anything called "Walkers," but if they look like the rest of their stuff, to wear such footgear with an otherwise well chosen ensemble is a sartorial crime of the most appalling sort, especially for a ceremonial occasion. If the guy had just been a typical, ignorant slob dresser, my contempt might have been mitigated by some pity for his ignorance, but obviously he knew enough to dress quite decently from the ankles up (and he frequents SF). I can but wonder if his choice of footgear was just sheer, perverse devilment on his part!

Were those the only three pairs of footgear he owned? If so, that's odd.

This rather complements the current thread on otherwise well-dressed men with lousy shoes.

Cordovan · Jun 5, 2008

If he is quoting SF, he shouldn't be wearing any of the above. And I too dislike the idea of a seersucker to a graduation.

Cordovan

Teacher · Jun 5, 2008

I voted black caps, but I'd rather see dark brown or burgundy.

mr monty · Jun 5, 2008

What color seersucker? Brown/white, blue/white, etc.?

Harrydog · Jun 5, 2008

Originally Posted by mr monty

What color seersucker? Brown/white, blue/white, etc.?

Blue/white seersucker

I thought seersucker or a linen suit on the lawn at 9:00 in the morning is fine.

I too would prefer a brown shoe, a cognac/canvas spectator, a woven spectator like the AE Hampstead.

Film Noir Buff · Jun 5, 2008

I don't have a problem with black shoes worn with seersucker. One of the nicest combinations I have ever seen on someone else were black and white spectators with a grey and white seersucker. There are a handful of worries that never occurred to me before I got to the online world of clothing commentary. One of them is of course the black suit which is proof that things can bother people even when they have zero control over the outcome. Another is what color shoes to wear with what outfit. To worry about the color and not the make, condition or style of the shoe is to consider this in too much of a vacuum. I just don't worry about the idea of something without seeing it done. If it is done well, it can be acceptable.

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