Harvard Boys

<p>The Ivy Leagues have grown more diverse, socially and economically. However, do most male Harvard students possess the stereotypical 'privileged boy' persona? Many perceive the classic Harvard boy as the proper and articulate young man donning a Ralph Lauren polo and Lacoste slacks. Is this image (upraising, attitude, clothing style, etc) still prevalent?</p>

<p>There are some of those here but not moreso than at most schools, I think. At least for me, 80% of what I wear is an old t-shirt and jeans.</p>

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<p>Well, it depends what you’re comparing it to. In comparison to schools where I come from, there are definitely tonnes more people here who dress all preppy like. In fact, it seems that Polo is ubiquitous in New England in general (along with North Face). Boat shoes are also a very popular item, but by no means do most students wear them. The “classic Harvard boy” tends to be concentrated in the crew team and a capella groups, I find, which is unsurprising.</p>

<p>Our Harvard S’s favorite place to shop for clothes is Goodwill.</p>

<p>I went to Wake Forest. I know preppy. I’ve seen preppy. Harvard - you’re no preppy.</p>

<p>I went to [unnamed public high school in Canada]. I know not-preppy. I’ve seen not-preppy. Harvard - you’re no not-preppy. :D</p>

<p>We all have our own points of reference. But to answer the OP’s question properly, the “classic Harvard boy” constitutes a small minority of students.</p>

<p>Being preppy seems to have a bad rep on CC, but I don’t understand why this has to be the case. What’s wrong with being preppy?</p>

<p>Coming from a pretty normal, suburban public high school in the Southern United States, my response is the following: in terms of social groups, Harvard is a lot like high school. Yes, about half the school went to private high schools, and there are plenty of preppy kids from the classic New England prep schools. Yes, the crew and squash teams are recruited. But really, all the groups from high school are here: jocks, preps, hipsters, math/science nerds, etc. And, like in high school, none of the groups is predominant. So, in short, that stereotype is still alive and well, but not unusually common.</p>

<p>Preppy? Hmmm . . . I believe son has done laundry a grand total of twice this school year . . . we don’t worry about preppy, we worry about the coffee and pizza stains on his tee-shirts.</p>

<p>Lol…he did his laundry twice in the entire year? How do you pull off that feat?</p>

<p>A nice girlfriend and a mom who sends massive bags of cheap soaks and boxers from Walmart.</p>