As the majority of the student population begin the academic year in an oversized hoody and those mouldy old flip-flops left over from Summer, the brainboxes at Harvard University have turned their academic wisdom to the fashion scene. No, it’s not the students who’ve been busy designing a new, preppy, overpriced brand: it’s the University itself. Harvard Yard is a slice of fashion which even the dustiest Professor will soon be aware of. Following in the footsteps of “university” outfitters such as Jack Wills and Franklin & Marshall, Harvard Yard promotes an image that is clean, sharp, unaffordable and intimidatingly intellectual.

Late for Lectures? No one will care if you're a 'Harvard Yard' boy.

Collaborating with the tailored clothiers Wearwolf Group, the colour theme is crimson and green and the style is classic American. Branding yourself as a fashion house and a world-leading Ivy League University could spell disaster for this prestigious establishment as you don’t have to have “MA” after your name to wear these clothes, and more worrying, you don’t need any fashion sense either so long as you’ve got enough money to splurge. The crimson and green might not look as distinguished as Harvard envisage on a balding 65 year old man who always wished he’d gotten the grades to go to Harvard. This ‘men only’ brand effortlessly oozes style, class and the sex appeal of intelligence, so if you drool over expensive university apparel and the untouchable preppiness it evokes then this might just be the clothing line for you. Wonder if it’ll feature in the prospectus?

Post by Meeha:

“Oh Meeha, keep in mind we’re very casual and jeans will do just fine.”

Just the words any intern/workshadowing student wants to hear when trying to venture into the world of the working kind. I didn’t really know what to expect  when I got accepted to do a workshadow with Jo and the gang at Indigo Clothing. All I can say is, quickest six hours of my life, apart from the really, really , REALLY fast six hours of sleep that preceded the working day.

I was taken by Jo, my mentor for the day to the warmest, most comfortable studio room-office ever. T-shirts hanging from a clothing line, of course, they customise shirts, among other things. Was introduced Eleni, who works with Jo, and got right down to work, being explained bits and bobs along the way.  After a  few additions and multiplications, sending back quotes to potential customers  it was time for lunch. Guess what, they feed you too!! Well, only if you’re interning I guess . Yummy chicken sandwich baguette from a bar across the road, you will truly be missed. When we got back from lunch I was introduced to the Blog on which these few words will be put up, I’m assuming. FUN! Although I’m not sure if this particular post will be half as popular or fun to read as any of Kate’s. Wow can that woman write or what?

As I write this, I’m getting my very own t-shirt printed.  It took me nearly half an hour to think up what I wanted to have printed on my shirt. I think it is quite near perfection.  Almost.

You readers should be so lucky to get a day to intern with Indigo Clothing, I did, so BOOYA!! I’m thinking of throwing in an evil chuckle somewhere, yes totally should.

*RUBS HANDS TOGETHER AND CHUCKLES*

And because I have a train to catch back to Loughborough University, I must stop writing this post from this big city computer, in this big city work place, in the big city.

This sheep in the big city and alien to fast walking, tube-taking, hustling and bustling must go back to the Village that is Loughborough.  Adios!

Meeha's new t-shirt!

This week in St. Andrew’s fresher fever has taken over, and it will be a similar story nationwide. What was last week a sleepy Scottish town is now full to bursting with new students and returning students, dragging parents around to pay for those last minute essentials (clothes hangers and some comforting milky drink sachets for homesick bed-times). What better way could there be to integrate fully into student culture than to join a society and get a spesh new fluffy hoodie?

The hoodie is useful for the process of becoming a real student as it is a key wardrobe essential that requires minimal washing. It’s snuggley and warm; the hoodie says it loves you even though Mummy is miles away….ahem, but that’s one of it’s secret charms that people don’t really talk about so much. No, the hoodie is the perfect way to affirm your new University identity and is useful for forming first impressions and making new acquaintances. The hoodie could start a conversation, “Why yes, I am a member of the Karl Kennedy appreciation society, do you watch Neighbours too?”, and could even provide a way into potential life-long friendship, “Would you, erm, like to watch it with me sometime?” shifty eyes. Furthermore, the hoodie can let people know your name, or your nickname if you’re willing to share it. In fact, very often a nickname is created solely for the basis of adorning the back of the hoodie. Special meetings may be arranged in order to create ‘hoodie nicknames’ for one another, from a simple shortening of an existing name “Rob” to the more obscure “Laminator” which may be a humorous ‘in joke’ that doesn’t actually refer to the laminating activity.

One of my favourite hoodie brands is Just Hoods by All We Do Is. They have many many wonderful colours to cater for every taste and are the perfect blank canvas to begin printing off nicknames and officially brand yourself as a society member to match your fellow peers. If that’s not enough the colour selection section of their website is so much fun and can provide endless entertainment. Just click on the different colours (from hot pink to hot chocolate to red hot chilli) and see the little jumping man’s hoodie change colour accordingly…it’s like one of those dress up paper doll toys, and he always looks so happy, even if you dress him in ‘lavender’. Though we students love the hoodie, it isn’t an especially niche market. If your student days have been and gone and you are feeling the void in your life every September for a fresh new hood, fear not. Instead, hatch a cunning plan to convince your workmates to get creative. Why not get your favourite item of office stationary printed onto your ‘arctic white’ hood. Mine would be ‘Paperclip’. Sometimes at the office, you just need a hug, especially when then coffee machine’s broken, or it’s 9am on a Monday morning after a rather boisterous weekend. Let the hoodie hug you, it’s what it’s there for.

Hot Chocolate coloured Hoodie by All We Do Is