Yes, “Ivy-League Style” exists. Thankfully, it’s not the only style on our campus.

Before coming to Harvard, I was worried about many things: how I would adjust to the Northeast coming from the South, and whether I’d make friends on campus. These are all normal questions when going to college. However, something that I had not thought about was style. I have always loved fashion. While style is extremely subjective, it is true that one’s environment can influence one's style of dress. 

For example, in the South, athleisure is the most common category of daily dress for teenage women. Oh, how I was in for a shock when I arrived on campus my freshman fall. I have a vivid memory of my realization of the common style found on our campus. I was getting lunch at Annenberg Hall before LS1a, my introductory science course. A friend of mine came up to me and complimented, “I love your workout fit!” I appreciated it and replied, “Thank you!” However, my matching athleisure set was my chosen outfit for class. Besides, I rarely attended the gym at all.

Although my original style was different than what I observed at Harvard, I truly admired seeing other people’s stylistic choices. I felt inspired by certain things people would put together, so much so that I applied them to my own style. 

For example, the most common bags of choice for Harvard students are canvas tote bags. Whoever initiated this style was so smart! While they do match outfits well, they are very functional and have a large capacity for items (especially good for students going to class). So yes, I got a tote bag too.

Some items become more popular through the seasons. During fall, expect to see calf-high boots, usually brown, matching the ever-changing foliage. In the spring and summer, skirts and ballet flats have a huge surge, displaying fashion that not only follows the stereotypical “Ivy-League” prep but also aligns with global trends at large. Oh, and during winter, be prepared to see Aritzia Superpuffs and Canada Goose Puffer Coats, the true it-girl coats for the cold. 

Yes, students at Harvard have commonalities within their styles. However, the diversity of students at Harvard is reflected in the various styles on campus. Students take these common items– tote bags, boots, puffer jackets– and wear them in their own ways. Some examples feature a tote bag with a business professional outfit or streetwear with an Artizia Superpuff. There is so much beauty in the way that so many students can have things in common, but put their personal twists on them. This variety speaks to the type of school that Harvard is: a place where students can transform others and be transformed for the better.