Bring on the Class: The Class Sweater

The class sweater has been a long-valued tradition at America's finest East Coast universities. These unique sweaters were originally given to Freshman athletes at Harvard as early as 1891, but as time progressed after WWII, the sweaters were worn by nearly every member of the student body.

This fall, show your class pride with the newest class sweaters! Whether you want to enjoy a summer reunion in a starry night, or get layered up on a chilly winter morning, these all-season sweaters would help you stay comfortable and classy!

Hope you enjoy the photos modeled by Bobby Chen '14, Priya Duvvuri '15, Alex Hem '16, and Annie Opel '17.

Bringin' it Back: The H Sweater

As red and orange leaves collect in the yard and temperatures start to drop, we flip to November on our calendar -- the last month of the beautiful fall season in Cambridge. Just in time for the Harvard-Yale game on November 23rd, the Harvard Shop is bringing back the tradition: H Sweaters. Our models Dae Lim '14, Ryley Reynolds '15, Ali Bayar '15, Vanessa Pham '16 and Daniel Mellow '16 put their own modern spins on a classic look.

The Harvard Shop Takes CS50

"I took CS50." The phrase, often emblazoned onto a navy t-shirt, is one that's familiar with many a Harvard student. Enrollees in Computer Science 50, an intensive introduction course to computer science and one of Harvard's trademark classes, wear it proudly around campus after finishing the semester. Enrollment has risen dramatically in past years as students are being drawn by both the invaluable technical skills the course offers, as well as the uniquely quirky and young culture for which the class is famous. As an alum of the course myself, I can safely say that CS50 is far more than just a class: it's an experience. One that spans both unimaginable triumph (i.e., when your code compiles) and the occasional heartbreak (i.e., when a rogue parenthesis drives you to insanity); and one that is shared by a community of curious individuals who aren't afraid to be challenged and learn a completely new skill, while having fun along the way. (Check out their website here!)

The CS50 staff, as it turns out, is all about creating that experience. Over the summer, we visited their office, which could only be described as a cross between a sleek innovation space and a playground. Gleaming Mac computers lined the desktops and whiteboards filled with idea brainstorms abounded, while Angry Bird-themed stuffed animals sat crossly on a shelf and Super Mario stickers adorned the walls. Front-and-center in the lounge was a Rock Band setup, to the side of which was a pantry filled with the most wonderful treats known to man (chocolates, cheese balls, chips, and the like). "They really threw us in for a loop," THS Managing Director Ryley Reynolds '15, trying her hand at a CS pun.

So meet the people behind the magic! Join the CS50 staff R.J. Aquino '14, Robert Bowden '13, Ben Shryock '14, Joseph Ong '14, Lauren Carvalho '11, and Milo Banana (a golden retriever!) as they model The Harvard Shop team's picks for this fall!

Items featured (in order of appearance): Gray Crew Neck Sweatshirt, Crimson Crest T-Shirt, Black Arc T-Shirt, Gray Applique Sweatshirt, Hello Kitty Tee, & Harvard Crest Scarf.

For our followers...

THS3: The Grand Opening of the Third Harvard Shop

Thank you to all who joined us at the Grand Opening of the Third Harvard Shop (at 65 Mt. Auburn Street)! Highlights of the evening include the Harvard LowKeys' gorgeous a cappella performance, the handsome barista serving free lattes from a bike, and seeing our friends, coworkers, and predecessors come out to support us on that fine, breezy day.

From its initial conception to the hanging of the golden frames adorning its crimson walls, everything about the third store was the result of HSAers. It was our baby, and helping it grow has been one of the most unique opportunities we've had during our time here. 

The Harvard Shop Presents: IVY STYLE (Featuring GANT + SEE)

Published in the 1960s, Shosuke Ishizu's iconic book Take Ivy was an in-depth exploration of fashion at Ivy League universities. The styles portrayed in his photographs were elegant, clean-cut, and undeniably collegiate; but we couldn't help noticing that the wearers of "Ivy Style" were sorely limited to a very specific demographic (read: no women or minorities)!

Thus, we decided to do our own take on Ivy Style at Harvard as both a homage to the past and a celebration of the present. Ivy Style has undoubtedly evolved -- for instance, it has grown to incorporate more pastel hues and bold prints, and has come to be embraced by all types of people. The photos in our campaign are not meant to typify Harvard fashion as a whole; rather, it's a spin on a popular trend, and also a tongue-in-cheek reminder that we can always sit back and tease ourselves every now and then (especially when we start playing football in a bowtie and blazer). 

So we hope you enjoy Ivy Style by The Harvard Shop, featuring our Vineyard Vines collection as well as looks kindly lent to us by GANT and SEE! Be sure to watch our IVY STYLE Youtube video too, for some cute action shots and endearing indie music.

Meet the Manager: Michelle Shao

Sometimes she's like,

And other times she's like,

Meet Michelle '16, a rising sophomore in Cabot House concentrating in statistics with a secondary in psychology! She's the Custom Orders Manager at The Harvard Shop, which basically means her job is to make people's dreams come true. (Read: she designs and procures custom gear for clubs, organizations, and special events. Her website is here!)

Michelle has tiny feet and delicate skin like a princess. She also has an affinity for Nutella, rice crackers, and bizarre reality television shows. The quickest way to her heart is through furry animals and children ("little humans", she affectionately calls them). There is a rare, nurturing quality about her - an ability to make people feel at ease and happy. With her mint-green blouses and bubbling laughter, she resembles a gently trickling stream.

I've uncovered these delicate secrets by means of being her summer roommate; below, she answers some strategically worded questions so that you, too, can find out your very own facts about Michelle.

Q: What is your favorite song as of late?

A: Je veux te voir by Yelle - it's a fun French song that my friend showed me in a CD she made me for my birthday. I have no idea what the lyrics are, but it's about the journey, right? 

Q: What place have you always wanted to visit?

A: I love the water, so I'd like to visit one of those islands where The Bachelorette season finales are always held (like Antigua or Tahiti). Just take me where the water is crisp blue! 

Q: Where did I leave my shoes?!

A: They probably got lost in the abyss that is our room - quick! Put on another pair before we miss the M2 bus to work! (Loosely based on true events)

Q: What would you do if there was a zombie apocalypse?

A: I wouldn't know, because there are no zombies on True Blood. 

Q: Which musical instrument do you identify with the most?

A: A piccolo, because they're small but can make a lot of noise when needed.