The Senate is really serious about its Seersucker
Talk about business casual.
Yes, even the U.S. Senate sometimes wishes they could lighten up the office dress code, especially as the summer heat kicks in. Thankfully, there's a national holiday for just that, and it happens to be today: National Seersucker Day. The holiday, which honors the blue-and-white striped puckered fabric, gained particular popularity in the Senate in the early '90s as a way to brighten the mood — lest you think senators are "just a bunch of dour folks wearing dark suits," as former Sen. Trent Lott (R-Miss.) once said.
While the lightweight fabric is far from trendy, Seersucker has long been the material of choice for Southerners who must wear suits in the summer heat. "Seersucker is more than fabric — it's a symbol of American made products that create manufacturing, shipping and sales jobs across the country," said Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), who revived the holiday in the Senate last year after a hiatus in 2012. Below, a look at the Senate tradition throughout the years. Samantha Rollins
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Samantha Rollins is TheWeek.com's news editor. She has previously worked for The New York Times and TIME and is a graduate of Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism.
-
Today's political cartoons - October 13, 2024
Sunday's cartoons - the swing of things, fear of facts, and more
By The Week US Published
-
5 timely cartoons about climate change denial
Cartoons Artists take on textbook trouble, bizarre beliefs, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Kris Kristofferson: the free-spirited country music star who studied at Oxford
In the Spotlight The songwriter, singer and film-star has died aged 88
By The Week UK Published
-
Nobody seems surprised Wagner's Prigozhin died under suspicious circumstances
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Western mountain climbers allegedly left Pakistani porter to die on K2
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
'Circular saw blades' divide controversial Rio Grande buoys installed by Texas governor
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Los Angeles city workers stage 1-day walkout over labor conditions
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Mega Millions jackpot climbs to an estimated $1.55 billion
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Bangladesh dealing with worst dengue fever outbreak on record
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Glacial outburst flooding in Juneau destroys homes
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Scotland seeking 'monster hunters' to search for fabled Loch Ness creature
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published