The word “seersucker” originates from the Persian words شیر shîr and شکر shakar, literally meaning "milk and sugar", from the gritty texture ("sugar") on the otherwise smooth ("milk") cloth.

Seersucker fabric was first introduced to combat the heat in British India.

In 1909, Haspel Bros. began as a workwear outfitter in New Orleans, Louisiana. Working with lightweight, cooling fabrics, like seersucker, for American laborers in warm-weather locales.

Haspel became a vibrant part of the New Orleans booming economy and operated its factory at the corner of St. Bernard & Broad St.

Seersucker's popularity, comfort, and ease of laundering made it the choice of Captain Anne A. Lentz for the summer service uniforms of the first female United States Marines. Lentz was one of the first female officers selected to run the Marine Corps Women's Reserve during the Second World War.

Beginning in the 1940’s, nurses and US hospital volunteers wore uniforms made from a red and white seersucker. They became known as candy stripers.

Soon thereafter, Joseph Haspel, Sr. used seersucker to create the first iconic men’s seersucker suit.

Haspel seersucker suits quickly gained a devoted Southern audience and its reputation started spreading from coast to coast as Haspel seersucker suits became a summer basic of iconic style.

Joseph Haspel, Sr. made Haspel history in June of 1946 while attending a trade show in Boca Raton, FL. He wanted to demonstrate to his colleagues the endurance of his "wash-and-wear” suit.

Wearing the suit, he dove into the Atlantic Ocean....

Princeton undergrads were the first to adopt seersucker suits, soon after, they spread as a signifier of true gentleman’s style.

The popularity of Haspel suits continued to expand. From the Ivy League world to Hollywood and even to the House floor in Washington D.C.

Haspel made its Hollywood debut with Academy Award Winner, Gregory Peck, as he portrayed the iconic role of Atticus Finch, the principled Southern defense lawyer in the 1962 film.

It’s not surprising that many of The Haspel customers today are Southern lawyers who keep this iconic traditional style alive year after year.

Haspel was the first to use Dacron polyester in a suit. In Charade, Audrey Hepburn and Cary Grant’s scene with his character’s “drip dry” navy two-piece suit is the Haspel “Exemplar” suit known for it’s then-groundbreaking polyester/rayon “wash and wear” blend.

Haspel continued making a splash as the warm-weather king of summer suits. Experimenting with lightweight cutting edge fabrics like poplin and linen, Haspel ushered in a new era of good times.

After the passing of Joseph Haspel Sr. in 1959, the factory in New Orleans was closed after 64 years of being in operation.

The brand continued to thrive under licensing partnerships and spread through department stores and fine men's retailers.

The Haspel family takes sole ownership of the brand and manages purchasing, sales, and marketing across the United States.

In 2009, Haspel celebrates the brand's 100-year anniversary.

Fourth-generation, great grand-daughter, Laurie Haspel reimagines and updates the brand as CEO in 2014. Men’s sportswear was also added for the first time.

In 2017, Haspel relocates its corporate office from New York back to its Louisiana home.

In 2018, Haspel launches its e-commerce website and becomes a direct to consumer business.

Haspel introduces an exclusive seersucker stretch quality fabric for tailored clothing. This new innovated fabric offers the comfort of stretch without giving up the “pucker” of the fabric.

Today, Haspel is a global, full lifestyle men’s brand, shipping products around the world and continuing to offer new and innovative products.