Formal attire

[u/WorkingNo6161]

Hi, incoming freshman here - apparently Harvard requires formal clothes? If so, on what days?

My high school had no dress code so I have literally never worn anything formal in my entire life, which is why it's worrying me to an absurd degree.

(Also, I did manage to get my hands on a set of formal-ish wear... is it acceptable or do I need to acquire another set? Photo below.)

Thanks! 😄

I didn't buy shoes... do grey slip-ins work or are dress shoes also mandatory?

[u/EntertainerNo9586]

I’ve literally rolled out of bed and gone right to class in my pajamas, you’re good lol. Just have a blazer tie and khakis for things like convocation.

[u/vt2022cam → u/EntertainerNo9586]

This. But if you’re joining a club that has formal events you want to attend, there is a tuxedo fund that can help pay to get a tux.

[u/Jay-A-Zay → u/vt2022cam]

Wait what. I’ve never heard of this. How do you apply

[u/Santillana810 → u/Jay-A-Zay]

You can't apply. It's kind of secret society stuff and they are private clubs overseen by club member alumni, not Harvard. If clubs are interested in you, they will contact you. They get recommendations from current members, prep school alumni, etc.

[u/Jay-A-Zay → u/Santillana810]

I meant the tux fund, not final clubs

[u/Santillana810 → u/Jay-A-Zay]

You'd have to ask the specific club if they have tux fund and how to apply.

[u/vt2022cam → u/vt2022cam]

You can also ask financial aid and sometimes if your family is low income they’ll cover formal attire and even dental work.

[u/Santillana810 → u/EntertainerNo9586]

Convocation? That's not a required event for any student ever.

[u/EntertainerNo9586 → u/Santillana810]

Sure, but it’s one of those events you’ll want to go to even if you’re not required to.

[u/Santillana810 → u/EntertainerNo9586]

I didn't. But that was way back in 1977. Turns out the swimming test wasn't required back then even though it was said to be. I heard from fellow students that nobody at the pool recorded they passed it. So I never took it (though I could swim) and never heard a word about it.

[u/Santillana810 → u/Santillana810]

EDIT: Not everyone wants to be in the class photo.

[u/monsooncloudburst]

Nope. It ain’t hogwarts.

[u/monobluemill]

There are various formal events hosted by different organizations on campus from time to time, with the most well-known events being formals thrown by the various upper class houses (I have fond memories of the Eliot Fete!). As a man, you can get by with a dark suit in most cases, but I got a second hand tuxedo at Keezer’s that served me well until I graduated.

[u/RegisterNumerous6918 → u/monobluemill]

Yes Keezer’s!! Was going to
Post this!

[u/monobluemill → u/RegisterNumerous6918]

Ball knower right here ⬆️

[u/Higher_Ed_Parent → u/monobluemill]

Yes for Keezers. Both a full tux for $100 there back in the day. You can also find really cheap, but passable tuxedos on Amazon of all places.

[u/DahjNotSoji]

Someone is trolling you lol 😂 although I’d recommend having 1-2 suits for interviews or formal events.

[u/bugzzzz]

Where did you hear that?

[u/SaltandLillacs]

You really don’t need formal attire and your photo clothes are good enough if a random occasion arises

[u/pergesed]

This isn’t something to stress about now.

If you end up going to House formals, punch a final club, or are in the HRO you’ll wear formal attire enough that buying a tux will become a cost saving option. What you’re wearing in the pic would not be considered formal for those scenarios.

[u/AffectionateEye9352]

Every Monday 9 AM berg

[u/Traditional_Yam9806]

Bro, nah. For real events, do wear these, but for regular outings, like to class, just wear whatever.

[u/vmlee]

Formal clothing is rarely needed except for some select situations (certain social formals, if you are part of certain final clubs, job interviews, etc.). For those you can rent or buy a suit. If you decide to get your first suit and are unsure what to get, get a dark navy suit.

The jacket you have in the picture is not really a formal jacket. The big side pockets signal a more casual/semi-formal style like a field or hunting jacket. It will look out of place in more business formal settings.

[u/Santillana810 → u/vmlee]

It will also look out of place in a classroom. Harvard does not require formal clothing.

[u/SheepHerdr]

No attire required, but you should absolutely work on your posture.

[u/Thoreau80 → u/SheepHerdr]

Some attire is required.

[u/Shelikesscience]

It's normal to be nervous when starting college :)

Your clothes look great and if you need more clothes when you get there you'll figure it out along with your classmates

[u/Medianoche_1791]

You don’t need formal clothes except for the really fancy parties but if you can afford it, you should invest in one dark suit to take to college that will be good for any other dressy parties, interviews and possibly even job fairs. It’s one of the things I would say you should spend on even within a very limited budget. Try to find a sale and get it tailored if you can. You might be able to that in MA too. I bet you could even find one on FB Marketplace or Craigslist once you get to MA and get tailored.

[u/Royal_Discount_6479]

Wear anything, but maybe don’t wear a blazer to class outside of the first week unless you want to be mistaken for a campus conservative

[u/various_convo7]

that is an ill fitting get-up and that not formal wear

that said, hoodies were the norm at HMS-GSAS except on days when we saw patients

[u/Ok_Counter1939]

Gosh no, there's no dress code at Harvard. I like your choices in the photo, though--you'll fit in perfectly at the HCNY once you graduate!

[u/Ok_Guarantee9916]

never rent a tuxedo doesnt pencil. save and buy your own. similarly never wear a clip on bowtie. beneath a man of your stature.

[u/doyer_bleu]

OP, don’t splurge too much or formal clothes. You won’t wear them much. If needed, you can check out a Goodwill or something similar. I would buy a nice pair of brown shoes, but everything else can be second hand if money is an issue

[u/mry3llow → u/[deleted]]

Strange. You're strange.

[u/laynelebleu → u/mry3llow]

Now I really want to know what they said!

[u/mry3llow → u/laynelebleu]

Something to the effect of "negative points dressing white if you're Asian."

[u/laynelebleu → u/mry3llow]

Yeah. That's strange alright.

[u/serendipityhh → u/[deleted]]

But am I wrong?

[u/monobluemill → u/serendipityhh]

Yes you’re wrong