Aside from inducing alcohol tolerance and/or other usage, College has tremendous impacts elsewhere; personal style, more specifically dressing “preppy” has been induced by the collegiate lifestyle.
Arguably, “preppy” is more than just a Brooks Brothers blazer or a Lacoste Polo, but it is a lifestyle; one that requires blasé references of summers on the Cape or dinners in Hyannis Port, right? Your parents should be of ivy pedigree and you should be able to identify between J.Press and Ralph Lauren looks with nonchalance; “my mom and dad wore that during their New England heydays”.
But it’s not wrong to declare this association towards prep clothes, because AGAIN, fashion is a lifestyle—skinny jeans arose from the New York rebels tucked away in cocaine dens listening to Talking Heads. And further back, iconic looks were being formed as students at old institutions were debating policies and watching Liz Taylor movies. In the spirit of prep, Harvard University has joined in a business venture with Wearwolf, a clothing company that offers an array of tailored men’s items (oxfords, blazers, khakis, coats). According to various publications such as Bloomberg, Harvard has licensed Wearwolf to use their name for the new brand “Harvard Yard” (which is a green area that is enclosed by historical buildings).
Inspired by 50s and 60s Harvard attire, “Harvard Yard” offers tailored clothes that are for EVERYONE, so don’t worry you didn’t have to be shipped off to Exeter. However, the brand airs on the expensive side with prices starting at $160 for oxfords lined with signature Harvard crimson. Despite the brands expensive prices there is philanthropy involved; Harvard is also using the brand as a way to accrue more assistance for students who need financial aid. The new venture has received mixed reviews from the students seeing it as a great initiative for financial aid, but hoping that it doesn’t further propagate the Harvard stereotype.
The question is what are your thoughts on this new brand that will launch for men? Are they dipping into Ralph’s market? The clothes do look nice.
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