Ex-Sen. Trent Lott’s dog days are over.  

The man who created Seersucker Day back in the late 1990s has been on a bit of a tear ever since the Senate ditched the tradition two years ago.  

But thanks to his pal Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., and his successor, Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., Senate Seersucker Day is back  on Thursday. And it comes just in the nick of time, in the final week of the summer session. “Seersucker is great!” Lott said in a Monday phone interview with CQ Roll Call. “When it gets above 80 degrees, you need to be thinking seersucker.” Lott was pleased when Rep. Bill Cassidy, R-La., reignited Seersucker Day on the House side  back in June, but the former Senate majority leader reiterated his unhappiness with his former Senate colleagues for refusing to take part, going so far as saying that the “Senate doesn’t like to have any fun anymore.”  

But all is right in the world now.  

Given the response to his Seersucker Day Fashion Do’s and Don’ts  advice for the House, it was apparent at House votes on Monday evening that Trent Lott is to Seersucker Day as Mr. Miyagi is to Karate.  

“When Trent Lott talks about seersucker, we listen,” Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, R-Fla., said. She confirmed that she closely follows his guide when wearing seersucker, as is her plan on Wednesday.  

Lott was obviously tickled (pastel) pink that so many in the Capitol Hill community took his advice on House Seersucker Day on June 11. He was particularly pleased with Dan Jensen, a federal government employee, who was one of HOH’s “Who Wore it Best ” winners.  

“He was cool,” Lott said.  

For those who think Seersucker Day is beneath the dignity of the Senate, he rolls his eyes.  

“The Senate’s too damn stuffy,” he said. “They need to loosen up a little bit.”  

Is this his legacy?  

“I never looked at it really that way,” Lott said. “What is important is it’s one little thing the Senate can do in a bipartisan way, laugh at each other and have a picture made and enjoy each other’s company.”  

Think you nailed the seersucker look? See a member preening around Russell in the threads? A staff colleague? Snap a pic on Thursday, send it here with “seersucker” in the subject line, and we’ll determine “Who Wore It Best.” Can the Senate side can keep up with the House? Only time will tell …