Chicster Profile, Kylie Thompson, Harvard University

Name: Kylie Thompson
School: Harvard University
Colors: Crimson
Mascot: “The Crimson!!”


Latest Campus Trend: Boots are definitely the biggest trend for this fall. A friend who came to visit me from the West a couple of weekends ago, and she was amazed by how “East Coast” everyone dresses here! She left with boots in hand (or bag!) because she loved the East Coast trend of flat or short wedge boots with black leggings and a long coat –– the uniform for most of the undergraduates on campus when it starts to get chilly. Many girls pair this ensemble with linen scarves in bright colors or pretty floral and bohemian patterns to add a punch of color to the gray, black and brown of typical winter wardrobes here. I live for scarves and hardly go a day without one because as a California girl I need a burst of color in my wardrobe!

Campus Vibe: Harvard is definitely a New England school and gives off the Ivy League vibe. While academics are always a priority, a lot of students know how to be social as well! Not all of the Harvard stereotypes are true: There are a fair number of preppy students from boarding schools but we also have lots of internationals, west coasters, students on financial aid, students without perfect 2400s on the SAT… Also, Boston is a great college town so there are a bunch of 18-24 year olds running around and adding a great energy to the city!

Weirdest School Tradition: Every night before the start of final exams, Harvard students can choose to strip down and participate in Primal Scream. Before the first day of fall and spring examinations, hundreds of students take off all their clothes (minus socks and running shoes of course!) and run a few completely naked laps around Old Yard, the center of campus and the area where most freshman dorms are located. Tourists with cameras and student spectators are totally commonplace, and students often joke that a future senator’s naked photo will turn up in a nasty smear campaign someday!

Favorite College Hotspot: A lot of students like to go out into Boston for fun meals/club nights every once in a while when campus life gets kind of boring. This year tapas bars in the city have been a huge hit, since it’s easy to dress up, bring a big group of people and all split the yummy dishes before heading out to a club to dance it off! Boston clubs and bars are really strict with IDs since it is such a big college town, but once you hit 21, there are a bunch of really fun spots to explore.

Best Thing About Being Here: Harvard students are Harvard’s greatest resource, and I think this applies to most any college campus out there! A college campus houses so many intellects, musicians, artists, hippies, party girls, and (hot) athletes and never again will you have the chance to intersect with such a diverse and dynamic group of people. I make sure to spread myself thin so that I can meet and get to know a group of the nation’s future lawyers, doctors, celebrities, politicians, Olympic athletes, and my life-long best friends!

How I Show My Unique Fashion Sense: I’m from Los Angeles, so my style definitely had to adapt to withstand the Cambridge cold. I like to wear lots of layers (tanks, long sleeve, sweater, coat) over leggings to make sure that I can be warm and cute walking on the way to class, but I also have a cute outfit on underneath once I’m inside at my cozy, heated location. I also emphasize accessories to really show my personal style underneath all the clothing I have to wear in order not to freeze. I love big, colored stud earrings, belts, and bangles and rings are part of my everyday routine. Headbands with flower or feather detailing are also really cute for fall to hide a bad hair day!