“Fashion is an instant language,” wrote Miuccia Prada. Not every member of the Class of 2026 can speak the language of Prada’s head designer, but they know that what they wear is how they instantly introduce themselves to a new campus. While some first-years have aspirational fashion goals, and others are simply looking for a staple to ward off the wind, students emphasized one thing above all: when it comes to first-week-of-school outfits, comfort is paramount. .
Hugo Hinze ’26 was wearing muted pink khaki shorts—his favorite pair—and a statement crew neck covering an Andy Warhol graphic T-shirt underneath. He said he didn’t put much effort into today’s outfit when I met him reading course syllabi at Harvard Yard. Originally from Germany, Hinze occasionally watches fashion videos on YouTube in his spare time. He said he felt no external pressure to dress well in his early days, but aimed to meet his own personal standards.
Alex Fernand ’26 describes herself as an aspiring “fashionista”. The Massachusetts native was reading on the Yard wearing Reeboks, jeans and a black T-shirt with a black tie.
In high school, Fernand explained that she mostly wore sweatshirts and hoodies, and anything more than that was considered dressed up. She says that in her early days at Harvard, she liked to feel comfortable wearing whatever she wanted.
Ellie Klibaner ’26 ship, standing to Fernand’s right, wore a flowing pink dress over a white blouse. “What you wear makes an impression on you,” she said of the influence of clothing on her social life. Students can be grouped at first glance by fashion taste, she said, but “once you have an actual conversation with people, what you’re wearing doesn’t matter at that point.”
Emma Nagler ’26 mixed up her style during her opening days at Harvard. On her way to Annenberg Hall, she wore a pair of Abercrombie shorts, an Aeropostale T-shirt, and a pair of brown and beige Converse that she designed herself. she wore a skirt the day before and felt relatively dressed, she said.
until Giovanni D’Antonio ’26 was on his way to the gym with a friend, he was quick to point out that his outfit — a pair of Air Jordan Max shorts, Nike shorts and a matching white muscle top — was only fit for the gym. Coming from a high school in Italy where formal dress was the norm, D’Antonio said he prefers to dress less casually than most Americans, but appreciates the dress spectrum at Harvard. Whether you’re studying or going to the gym, “school is where you should feel comfortable,” D’Antonio said.
Dian Yu ’26, Emily Gao ’26, Rui Furui ’26, and Ciao Tin ’26 were all led to dinner together by Weld. Furui, wearing jeans and a sweater from a brand in her home country of Singapore, said “comfort is key.” Her roommate, Tin, also highlighted the comfort in her skirt/short and stylish Converse.
Yu was in flared Aerie pants, a Brandy T-shirt “because it makes you comfortable,” she joked, and a pair of sparkly pants—perfect for comfort and the ’90s-themed party she was going to. Yu admitted that “for the first few days, there is a pressure to look presentable”.
Across the courtyard in recent days, students dressed to hang out as much as to feel stylish. Whether they were socializing, unpacking or choosing their courses, the top fashion priority of the early years was to be at ease with themselves.
Proof Schubert Reed ’25 (proofschubertreed@college.harvard.edu) is always on the lookout for the perfect sports pair.
