Point/Counterpoint: What to Wear to Class
Graphic by Kerrie Zhu
On a warm September morning, the steps of Widener were crowded with students smiling for photos with friends. Their signs read “FDOC,” commemorating the First Day of Classes. Beyond the unusual pre-10:30 a.m. cheer, one thing stood out: their outfits. Every year, students don their finest polos and sundresses for the first week to impress new classmates and start the semester off on the right foot. But by October, sweatpants outnumber skirts, and loafers give way to sneakers. Should students keep dressing up, or embrace the comfort of casual wear?
Franny: Coming from the Midwest, I was pleasantly surprised to see classmates in preppy New England ensembles—sweaters tied over shoulders, button-downs on repeat. The athletic skirts and leggings I wore back in Cleveland suddenly felt out of place, better suited for tennis courts or yoga studios than for the classroom. Thankfully, instead of scrolling on Pinterest, I need only to glance around a lecture hall for outfit inspiration. Since moving here, my style has shifted: I wear loafers and flats more than sneakers, swapped my backpack for a tote, and rarely leave home without a sweater. Dressing up for class feels natural now in a way it never did at 16.
Heidi: Don’t get me wrong, I love a good cashmere sweater. But coming from California, where flip-flops reign and sweaters only come out on the rare cold day, the preppy aesthetic can feel like overkill. There’s freedom in rolling out of bed, throwing on jean shorts and a tank top or hoodie and sweats, and heading to class without anyone blinking an eye. Sure, people dress casually at Harvard too, but “Harvard casual” still skews polished. Jeans and a sweater here might pass for “dressy” back home, where true casual more closely resembles pajamas.
Franny: Fair. But if “casual” here means jeans and a sweater, why not lean into it? We chose to go to school in New England, where students notoriously dress in preppier styles, so instead of complaining, why not adapt? That being said, dressing up for class doesn’t have to mean wearing expensive brands. The distinction is more about choosing a sweater over a sweatsuit, not Gucci slides over Crocs.
Heidi: Changing your zip code doesn’t mean changing your entire wardrobe. Why not embrace personal style instead of blending into a J.Crew catalog? A classroom should feel welcoming no matter what you wear. Harvard has no school uniform, so our classrooms should not look uniform either. Having a mix of styles helps cultivate classroom environments where ideas, not outfits, take center stage.
Franny: I disagree. Wardrobes naturally reflect your environment. Someone living on a ski mountain dresses differently from someone living on a beach. They also reflect your fashion and cultural environment, and what the people around you wear. New Yorkers tend towards suits for work while San Franciscans opt for jeans.
Turning back to campus, preppy style grew out of preparatory schools, so it was literally designed for academics. And while the style may have started as elitist fashion only accessible to the 1%, it became more democratized as brands like Lacoste and Tommy Hilfiger started making preppy clothing for the masses. Harvard certainly has its fair share of designer clothes on campus, but one can emulate the same academic style on any budget.
While collared shirts and loafers may not be everyone’s style, the idea of dressing up for class is accessible to everyone; a thrifted cardigan can have the same effect as a designer one. Even if your closet is not 75% J. Crew, putting effort into your outfit signals readiness. Roll into lecture in pajamas, and you are far more likely to fall asleep than take good notes.
Heidi: My ability to focus has more to do with sleep than shoes. I’d rather get eight hours than trade them for time spent picking out ballet flats. Mark Zuckerberg wore the same gray t-shirt every day, not because he could not afford cashmere, but to save mental energy for bigger decisions. I’m not saying we should all adopt Mr. Zuck’s Silicon Valley minimalism, but does stressing over ruffles and frills really help you understand Ec10a any better?
Franny: To me, it’s “look good, feel good.” A put-together outfit boosts confidence and sets the tone for the day. Swapping sweatpants for jeans is a small price to pay for the mental benefits. Showing up for yourself and being in a better mood certainly makes it easier to pay attention in class.
Heidi: Sure, but not every day needs to be a “look good, feel good” day. Sometimes it’s more “look alive, feel alright.” Dressing up should be an option, not an expectation. Harvard already brings enough pressure: grades, extracurriculars, and figuring out the new laundry system. Do we really need a daily outfit competition, too? Some days you just want to sit through lectures in sweats, coffee in hand, hungover in peace.
Franny: It’s not a competition, it’s a way to connect with people. I appreciate seeing my classmates dressed up for class and exchanging compliments. From a professor’s point of view, too, I’m sure it feels nice to see students care about school, and are not just showing up for class 10 minutes after they woke up.
Heidi: If our professors are really here for our brains rather than our beauty, then what we wear to class should not matter. For some, comfort may enable authenticity and creativity. I’d rather be an active participant in section in sweats than sit silently in a blouse.
Franny and Heidi: At the end of the day, what you wear to class says less about your GPA and more about your personality. Whether you’re in cashmere or Crocs, Harvard classrooms are big enough to fit all fashion styles. If anything, a bigger mix of styles is what helps our campus feel alive. So make sure to show up as your authentic self, and most importantly, wear what makes you want to show up.
Franny Connors ’26 (maryfrancesconnors@college.harvard.edu) owns far more J.Crew now than she did four years ago. Heidi Heffelfinger ’26 (heidiheffelfinger@college.harvard.edu) plans to live in flip-flops and cashmere sweaters this year.