Artistic Guide to Harvard: Fashion in the Snow

After a deceptively warm beginning to the semester, winter has finally arrived. Residents of Cambridge must struggle to stay warm and dry while trying not to let their fashion game slip up too much. In the midst of snowy blizzards and freezing winds, students, faculty, and tourists alike all bundle up to survive the elements. Here are some common strategies seen around the Yard.

L.L. Bean Boots

The orangey leather and rubber lining—and those distinctive ropy tread marks left in the snow behind them—are all trademarks of winter in Harvard Yard. Sure to keep your feet warm and dry without adding too much bulk, the Bean boots are dependably the most common winter footwear when the snow gets heavy.

Uggs

Those big chunky shearling boots might be a little reminiscent of middle school, especially when paired with leggings or skinny jeans, but they are so warm and fuzzy inside that their persistent presence in college and adult fashion is understandable. They look a little childish, and they do get pretty ratty when wet and stained, but who can turn down the sensation of thick fluffy wool enveloping your feet as you trek through a blizzard?

Timberlands

We used to see mainly guys wearing these light tan boots, but now their clunky but practical style can also be found on women. Timberlands provide a more grown-up alternative to Ugg boots and are waterproof—hence their growing popularity. They still seem to be less ubiquitous than Bean boots but are definitely catching up fast.

Canada Goose

Surely the most common coats to fend off the snow are those black jackets with the fur trim around the hood and that distinctive red logo patch on the sleeve. Toasty, waterproof, and sleeker than most winter coats, Canada Goose jackets provide a nice combination of fashion and practicality. They also completely swallow the head when their hoods are up, so often all that can be seen of their wearers is a ring of fur frosted by snow, shadowing a face within, and legs sticking out the bottom—probably clad in Bean boots or Timberlands.

Pom-Pom Hats

Knit hats topped with an oversized pom-pom seem to be trending this winter. They add height and a fun touch to an outfit while keeping heads warm and hair dry.

Scarves

Another commonly seen accessory is a tightly wrapped scarf. They are conveniently convertible and can be easily removed upon entering warmer spaces or hiked up to cover one’s face from the biting wind chill—or to serve as a handy and subtle disguise.

—Staff writer Kay T. Xia can be reached at kay.xia@thecrimson.com.