Fashion Impressions: What We Wear to Say Hi

“Fashion is instant language,” Miuccia Prada wrote. Not every member of the Class of 2026  may speak the language of the head designer of Prada, but they know that what they wear is how they immediately present themselves to a new campus. While some first years have aspiring fashion goals, and others are simply looking for a staple to shield a breeze, students stressed one thing above all: when it comes to first week of school fits, comfort matters above all else.

Hugo Hinze ’26 was dressed in muted pink khaki shorts—his favorite pair—and an accented crew neck covering up an Andy Warhol graphic tee underneath. He said he did not put much effort into today’s outfit when I met him reading course syllabi in Harvard Yard. Hailing from Germany, Hinze occasionally binge watches fashion YouTube videos in his free time. He said he didn’t feel an external pressure to dress well in his first days, but that he was intent on meeting his own personal standards.

Alex Fernand ’26 describes herself as an aspiring “fashionista.” The Massachusetts native was reading in the Yard wearing high-top Reeboks, jeans, and a black tank top with a black sweatshirt tied across.

In high school, Fernand explained that she mainly wore sweatpants and sweatshirts, and anything more than that was considered dressy. She says in her first few days at Harvard, she’s enjoyed feeling comfortable getting to wear anything she wants.

Ellie Klibaner ship ’26standing to the right of Fernand, was wearing a flowy pink dress over a white tee. “What you’re wearing makes an impression,” she said about the clothing’s impact on her social life. Students may group themselves 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 has been mixing up her style during her opening days at Harvard. On her way to Annenberg Hall, she wore a pair of Abercrombie shorts, an Aeropostale top, and a pair of brown and beige custom Converse, which she designed herself aNagler has found that her peers dress more casually; she wore a skirt the day before and felt comparatively dressed up, she said.

While Giovanni D’Antonio ’26 was en route to the gym with a friend, he was quick to note that his outfit—featuring a pair of Air Jordan Max’s, Nike swoosh-ed shorts, and a matching white muscle tee—was appropriate for the gym only. Hailing from a high school in Italy where formal wear was the norm, D’Antonio said he prefers to dress less casually than most Americans, but appreciates the spectrum of attire at Harvard. Whether studying or going to the gym, “school is the place where you should feel comfortable,” D’Antonio expressed.

Dian Yu ’26, Emily Gao ’26, Rui Furui ’26, and Ciao Tin ’26 were all headed to dinner together from Weld. Furui, sporting both jeans and a sweater from a brand in her home country of Singapore, said that“comfort is key.” Her roommate, Tin, also stressed comfort in her skirt/short piece and stylish Converse.

Yu was in Aerie flared pants, a Brandy top “because it’s giving comfy,” she joked, and a pair of flair pants—perfect for comfort and the 90s-themed party she was headed to. Yu admitted that “for the first few days, there is a pressure to look presentable.”

Across the Yard the past few days, students dressed to lounge just as much as they did to feel stylish. Whether they were socializing, unpacking, or choosing their courses, first years’ top fashion priority  was to be comfortable with themselves.

Proof Schubert Reed ’25 (proofschubertreed@college.harvard.edu) is always on the look-out for the perfect pair of sweatpants.