What exactly is Seersucker?

That was the question I asked myself when I first encountered Dandies and Quaintrelles’ Seersucker Social. It turns out seersucker is an all-cotton fabric made with a slack tension weave that gives it that puckered or wrinkled look. It’s a fabric normally used for spring and summer wear and popular among Southerners. Former U.S. Senator Trent Lott (R-Mississippi) also helped revive its popularity inside the Beltway.

To bring in some good ol’ Southern style into the halls of Congress, Lott started Seersucker Thursday held every June, in which Senators wear seersucker suits. (more…)

The Seersucker Social from ReadysetDC on Vimeo.

You’ve seen the photos and read about it, now check out the video and new images photographed by Matt. Roll tape.

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Words by Jordan + Matt

Photography by Max Cook

This past Saturday, hundreds of DC residents gathered in Meridian Park, toting their finest velocipedes and dressed in their most breathable seersucker, to participate in the first Seersucker Social organized by the Dandies and Quaintrelles. Riding on the success of last fall’s Tweed Ride, this past Saturday saw over 300 riders who came out to battle the suffocating DC humidity, traveling from Meridian Park to the bountiful grounds of Hillwood Estate.

Roughly 450 seersucker wearing Washingtonians came out for the Social portion of the day, which encouraged DC’s finest to sip on delectable Hendricks cocktails, take a turn through the Japanese rose gardens, show off their best putting techniques and socialize over friendly games of croquet. The questionable DC weather miraculously held off for the event, allowing the hundreds of attendees to gather on the beautiful lawn of Hillwood Estate to people watch and chatter while their bicycles (or heaven forbid, automobiles) remained parked out front.

The Seersucker Social proves a point; DC is poised and ready for events that embody more than just a party for a party’s sake. Sir Eric Channing Brewer’s event fused the thriving DC bicycle culture with the creativity of fashionable DC residents. So a hip-hip hooray and all that jazz for a successful Seersucker Social and a toast to future rides around this fine town put forth by the Dandies and Quaintrelles.

– Jordan (the non-rider aka cheater)

Photography by Max Cook

by Jim Darling

Amidst the World Cup fervor that has swept DC, did you notice an air of dandiness leisurely wafting around the District on Saturday? The fine gentlemen and ladies from Dandies and Quaintrelles are the folks responsible. Parlaying off the success of the widely acclaimed Tweed Ride, these purveyors of retro-forward styling organized the first ever Seersucker Social Bike Ride and Lawn Party, an event that helped to bring out the southern charm in all of us.

Departing from Meridian Hill park, the dandified participants headed off through the city,down into Rockcreek Park, and finally culminated the ride at the exquisite Hillwood Estate in Van Ness.  Upon arrival wheelmen and ladies were greeted by bike valet services provided by the lads from Hugh and Crye.

Despite cycling at the most leisurely of paces, most participants were well in need of some cool refreshments upon arrival.  In keeping with their graceful manners, D&Q had delicate finger foods, and a variety of imbibables readily at hand.  Mixologist’s from Hendrick’s Gin were busy hand crafting delicious cucumber cocktails while Me n’ Yu served up a refreshing and bubbly punch.  Some party goers enjoyed matches badminton and croquet, while others opted to leisurely peruse the Estate’s twenty-five acre grounds, or relax and listen to the live music.

Fantastic time was had by all and a heartfelt thanks to Dandies and Quaintrelles for putting on yet another memorable social cycling event.

– Matt (the rider)

Photography by Jim Darling

Photos above by Naz and photos below by Tracy Clayton

In one week the Dandies and Quaintrelles will invite Washington residents to bring out their best interpretation of Seersucker. The first Seersucker Social will be held Saturday, June 12th at 3:30 pm at Hillwood Estate. A summer response to the successful DC Fall Tweed Ride, the Seersucker Social will begin with a leisurely ride through Rock Creek Park and will culminate with a Social on the stunning lawn of Hillwood Estate, the former home of the Post family.

A great group came together to fight some impeding stormy weather and capture these images. We at ReadysetDC were all too eager to lend a helping hand to the DC Dandies working with Sir Eric Channing Brewer on shoot direction, photography and make-up artistry.The shoot featured items from such local  shops as; Treasury and ReVamp, Nana and Polly Sue’s and included an electic group of friends and models including; Matthew Hemerlein, dancer Sebastian Rousseau, stylist Melissa Burgos, the ladies of ReVamp, Scott Permar of Derringer Friday. A special thank you to photographer Naz and behind the scenes photographer Tracy Clayton, Cathy Chung of Treasury for styling and Lynn Rossotti of Hillwood Estate. Be sure to check out a full slideshow of the shoot here.

If you have not already, be sure to register for the Seersucker Ride and Social. And remember, while Seersucker isn’t mandatory; dress accordingly, act accordingly.

In preparations for the Seersucker Social, hosted by the Dandies and Quaintrelles, the vintage boutique Treasury presents Seersucker in the City. Treasury invites you to their 14th Street location this Saturday, June 5th from 1-4pm to partake in libations and a store wide sale (15% off everything but jewelry). Local mixologist Kat Bangs will serve up specialty cocktails courtesy of St-Germain. The ladies at Treasury also invite Seersucker Social riders to submit pictures of their best Treasury duds in action. They will judge the entrees based on best use of vintage and one winner will receive a gift certificate to Treasury.

The Seersucker Social is the Dandies and Quaintrelles seasonally appropriate answer to the fall Tweed Ride. The Seersucker Social will be held June 12th, at 3:30pm at Hillwood Estates. Hugging the edges of Rock Creek Park, Hillwood Estates is the former home of the Post family (yes, that Post family) turned  museum, serving as a nostalgic escape in the heart of DC.

The Seersucker Social calls upon DC residents to dress in their finest Edwardian-meets-modern styles and participate in a leisurely bicycle ride through Rock Creek Park. Post-ride, event goers are invited to a social on the abundant and striking grounds of the museum.

ReadysetDC recently participated in a Seersucker Social photoshoot at Hillwood Estates, look out for behind the scenes photographs later this week and stay tuned for more on the Seersucker Social from ReadysetDC in the coming weeks.

Most importantly, don’t forget to register for the Seersucker Ride and Social on June 12th at 3:30pm.

Video by Vincent Gallegos. Photos by Tracy Clayton.

UPDATE: Check out our VIDEO FEATURE here!

Well over 300 cyclists had met in an alley behind the corner of 8th and H Street NE by noon. All dressed in their finest retro attire, it was a truly surreal scene. Three properties were in use in this alley, one for bike mechanics, one for registration/check-in and one for breakfast and portraits. As the crowd spilled out onto the sidewalk pre-ride, you could see people stopping and staring to see just what in the world was going on.

At about noon, cyclists took to the streets in smaller groups. We headed south on 8th Street NE towards Eastern Market. A large crowd at the market cheered, yelled and stared. The route included a scenic stretch on Constitution Ave, riding past the Capitol, up 7th Street through Penn Quarter and Chinatown, and a stop in front of the White House. There we were greeted by tourists, joggers and protestors, the general White House crowd. Conversations of those walking past us included “What’s this for?” and “Yeah so it’s that’s the first Tweed Ride in DC…” Rumor is that the First Lady greeted a few riders, however that is unconfirmed. (more…)