[Winhes2]

A thespian is borrowing my seersucker suit for a commercial in which he is supposed to appear "southern". He hasn't confirmed the commercial's context's level of formality.

I'll give him a white shirt, navy emblematic tie, white bucks to wear with white suspenders, and a black leather belt to wear with black leather shoes.

But what about providing him with this additional option in between the lightness of white buck and darkness of black leather: medium suede brown shoes, this crosswoven elastic tie (there is no leather on the non-buckle end, the buckle's prong just pushes through the weaving anywhere), and this similarly colored tie which has light blue accents. Are the scales of the tie's small circles and the suit's stripes too close? Any other reason this doesn't work?

tie

Tie, shoes, belt against suit

 

[SG_67]

I’m not sure that tie really says “southern”. In fact, I’m not really sure it even goes with that outfit. What about a bow tie?

Otherwise, a repp tie would work. As for the shoes, I’m not really a seersucker type. Maybe tan bucks.

 

[Winhes2]

OK. Thanks for lending your eye.

 

[eagle2250]

I'm not sure that tie really says "southern". In fact, I'm not really sure it even goes with that outfit. What about a bow tie?

Otherwise, a repp tie would work. As for the shoes, I'm not really a seersucker type. Maybe tan bucks.

Agree with SG 67's post above! You should consider a tie that provides contrast with the subdued coloration of the rest of the rig.

 

[Kyle76]

Google pictures of Andy Griffith in "Matlock". Doesn't get more Southern than that. I wouldn't deviate from white bucks with seersucker.

 

[Mike Petrik]

I own three seersucker suits and wear them all the time. Eagle and SG are right that classic striped repps (think Brooks Brothers) work superbly, as do solids (especially linen and knit) and most emblematics. As for shoes, white bucks are classic, but so are tan or blue bucks, spectators, penny or tassel loafers, suede chukkas, and almost any light brown or tan dress shoe. Though it is not my style, in the right forum a seersucker suit can look quite handsome when worn with sandals sans ti,

P. S. I should have added that a pinpoint button-down collar shirt is most traditional, but pointed collar is fine. Just not spread. Solid white is classic, but solid pink, yellow, and blue can also work great.

 

[Winhes2]

Thanks for the tips. To my eye, or perhaps mind, that tie, and this vineyard vines shark one, would look nice with the suit because their lightness, and in the shark tie, playfullness, match that of one interpretation of the suit.

The navy tie just seems a little heavy as do the black leather shoes. But I see what Eagle2550 means by adding contrast with the tie.

So, traditional tie for a traditional intepretation of the suit, I'll usually go with the contrasting navy tie, unless I'm feeling whimsical.

I don't have a rep tie without at least one narrow stripe, so I'll stay with the navy emblematic or a navy solid to avoid running into trouble with the stripes in the suit and tie.

 

[Vecchio Vespa]

Bucks are pretty iconic with seersucker suits. Other ways to telegraph “southern gentleman” would be spectators and a bow tie for an older gent or #8 tassels and a popping two color repp stripe for a younger man. For either, a white hankie ironed into starched points is a good addition. I’m seventy but stuck in the young man mode (the lasting scars of southern prep schools), and I usually wear an orange and navy repp with a white OCBD, a navy surcingle belt, and navy socks with the tassel loafers. An elderly gentleman I knew took the spectator route, wearing a white broadcloth shirt with a butterfly bow tie, suspenders, and light colored argyles. He also always wore his Panama hat and carried a cane.

 

[eagle2250]

^^
The two times these Spectators were worn last year was with my seersucker suit(s), though I can't say that I paired a Panama Hat with the mix.

 

[Mike Petrik]

Try it, Eagle. You’ll look dashing!

 

[Winhes2]

Bucks are pretty iconic with seersucker suits. ... He also always wore his Panama hat and carried a cane.

OK. Thank you.