I am an incoming freshman female from the south.
T-shirts
Dress shirts
Jeans
Pants
Dress pants
Shorts
Workout shorts like nike shorts
Light Jackets
Heavy Jackets
Shoes and type of shoes
Casual dresses
Formal dresses
Pairs of socks
Underwear
Anything else you can think of
Thank you!
You’ve asked what is at heart a very general question about packing for attending a school in the northeast, and while Harvard is certainly special, there is nothing specifically about it that will affect your pack list. I suggest you re-post on the College Life or Parents forum, or better yet, do a search of the forums, since this subject is discussed every year.
Or, just google the topic and you’ll find many helpful sites. For example . . .
https://www.garrettsmovinginc.com/blog/what-to-watch-out-for-moving-to-college-in-the-northeast/
Hi there, @kae120. You will be in the same class as my daughter. Certainly, take the advice of the other posters, but here is a bit of specific information about Harvard: there is a freshman formal, and the houses have formals (usually there is a formal after housing day, which you will be invited to attend). Depending on your interests, you may need other dressy clothes, too. Bring a few formal dresses if you have them and shoes to match as you may have limited time and money once you arrive in Cambridge. You should also bring some nice-looking professional clothes, in case you apply for summer internships, etc. Think about what clothes you’d wear if you decide to go to a house tea or if you decide to take advantage of the program to bring a professor to a meal at Annenburg (and you should do this!). There are lots of great places to work out, including the MAC, so bring your exercise clothes. It will be hot in September and then chilly and then cold and then very cold so consider that as you decide how to balance what to bring. If you’re from the Deep South, you might be surprised how cold it gets. Think carefully about what kind of coats, boots, and socks you’ll need. When I’ve visited campus recently, it seems that L.L. Bean duck boots are popular–note that there is about a 4-month delay between placing an order and receiving these boots. Feel free to private message me if you have more questions!
How many articles is driven by how often you expect to do laundry.
That’s a lot of formal wear that your D is bringing. Not sure where she plans to put it. Fortunately, as a guy, a blazer and a suit pretty much covers all the contingencies above. But here’s another bit of specific info about Harvard - there is not enough closet space to house a lot of clothes.
Lots of underwear. Saves you from having to do laundry at super busy times.
“Formal” doesn’t mean the same thing at a NE college that it might in the south or for a very traditional sorority. Lots of gals will just have a nice dress or two. And one outfit would do it for any interviews (first semester is early for many/most.) And this isn’t like going off to a remote country. You can buy more tees, your parents can mail you something, or you grab it at Thanksgiving.
If you’re picky, look for a winter jacket/boots early. Find an online discounter, if you need. Don’t have to spend big, dorms and facilities will be warm, people will wear layers. We can’t predict if you’d need it before December break (some winters come slower,) but it doesn’t usually get that much colder until January.
D not going to Harvard, but PA where winters are cold.
I agree, bring a few nice dresses or tops/skirts. Bring a pair of dressy pants and white blouse.
Get a black or navy cardigan to layer.
Bring workout clothes, a few tshirts and shorts. My D likes leggins and a nice top for regular daily outfit. Or jeans and sweatshirts.
Bring a fleece/polyester jacket for fall/spring/rain and a warm winter coat, hat, mittens, scarf, warm boots and socks for winter.
As for space, I assume you will have a dresser and place to hang up clothes. That should accomodate what you bring. If beds can be raised you might have extra storage for a drawer cart.
Ahhh, priorities, @skieurope. (Just about everyone has at least a small closet and a dresser. Then there’s underbed storage and a myriad of other options, if you’re motivated.) 
My D felt she did not bring enough in the way of dressier clothing so I would definitely suggest bringing both formal dresses (just 1-2) and professional wear (again just one or two outfits will do). Definitely bring exercise clothing and layers for cold. She had a very large closet during her freshman year and easily stored all her stuff. I guess she was lucky; I didn’t know it varied so much!
If you don’t have a heavy coat, I’d wait on that until you get to campus and see what you need. Through Thanksgiving, my D was fine with her down vest, fleece, and lightweight down jacket. Bring a raincoat and rain boots!! Those were lifesavers. She bought a pair of Sperry boots (LL Bean lookalikes) in Boston on sale and wore those a lot over the winter. She never ended up wearing the heavy down coat we sent her with. Oh, and we never bought her a hat for winter. She ended up collecting a lot of free swag like warm scarves and hats from various events and games.