Seersucker: A medium-weight fabric made with lengthwise puckered stripes alternating with plain woven stripes. The term derives from the Persian words "shir o shekar" meaning "milk and sugar" probably referencing the smooth surface of milk and bumpy texture of sugar. Thanks to the puckering, seersucker hovers just above the skin, allowing air to circulate, which explains why it's so popular in the steamy American South.